US joins ally Mongolia in peacekeeping drill

TAVAN TOLGOI, Mongolia, Aug 11 (Reuters) US troops joined Asia-Pacific allies today for a peacekeeping exercise on the windswept steppe of Mongolia, a key American ally strategically placed between Russia and China.

The two-week ''Khan Quest'', named after Genghis Khan who created one of the world's greatest empires, brings together 850 troops from the United States and Mongolia with 240 soldiers from Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Thailand and Tonga.

''The training is invaluable for participants and vital for international peacekeeping,'' said Lieutenant Colonel Mark Zimmer, of the US Army Pacific Public Affairs.

''There's a huge demand all over the world for peacekeeping troops that have core capability training, especially ones with UN accreditation.'' Annual joint exercises between the United States and Mongolia began in 2003 and in the past involved only Mongolian and US troops.

Mongolia, where nearly half of the 2.5 million population are nomadic herders, overthrew decades of Soviet dominance in 1991.

Sandwiched between China and Russia, Mongolia punches above its weight diplomatically, as its giant neighbours covet its mineral resources and the United States courts it as a beacon of democracy in central Asia.

Mongolian troops have served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan which US President George W Bush extolled during a visit last year.

The US Congress passed a resolution in May commending Mongolia on marking 800 years since Genghis Khan forged a nation out of the vast territory inhabited by disparate tribes, and praising its ''commitment to democracy, freedom and economic reform''.

But while Mongolia wins accolades in Washington, its trickier gambit is balancing China and Russia, two powerful neighbours that have in the past controlled its territory.

Mongolian President Nambariin Enkhbayar and assorted ambassadors, diplomats and dignitaries attended a colourful opening ceremony to launch the exercise today featuring folk bands, table-top dancing and military parades.

A performance of the State Horsehead Fiddle Ensemble Group was followed by a team of leaping, contortionist dancers and the sound of thundering hooves as the Genghis Khan Cavalry charged from a distant hill into the ceremonial square.

Britain, Canada, China, France, Italy, Japan South Korea and Russia sent observers to the opening ceremony at the Tavan Tolgoi training centre in central Mongolia.

''The training provided in Khan Quest will allow us to continue our commitment to international peacekeeping and counter-terrorism efforts,'' said Lieutenant General TS Togoo, chief of the general staff of the Mongolian armed forces.

REUTERS BDP BS1123