"In lieu of the LTTE releasing people the U.N.Secretary General has called upon the government of Sri Lanka to exercise maximum restraint as it carries the fight to the LTTE in order to protect civilian lives,".

VOA: standard.2009.05.11

North Korea,as it has in the past, has reacted to the joint exercise with strong threats -- saying they may lead to a "sacred war" in which Pyongyang would be compelled to use its nuclear weapons.

VOA: standard.2010.07.26

But the decision to hold most of the exercise in Kitgum has raised questions as to whether Natural Fire 10 is part of preparations for a renewed military effort against the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army.

VOA: standard.2009.10.20