ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON – The East Sea off the coast of the Korean peninsula roiled yesterday with American and South Korean ships, submarines, fighter jets and helicopters – high-profile military manoeuvers intended to show North Korea that it is being watched. Military officials said that despite threats of retaliation, North Korea was staying clear. Most of the firepower for the four-day exercises has been flying off the decks of the USS George Washington, an American supercarrier that can carry up to 70 aircraft and more than 5 000 sailors and aviators. Washington and Seoul are hoping the drills will send a powerful message to North Korea in the wake of the March sinking of a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors. (AP)
