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Singapore continues to be a staunch ally of the
United States. Its efforts in helping U.S. military
and defense matters – allowing U.S. forces
access to military facilities; the December 2001
revelation of the Al-Qaeda cell plot to destroy
key buildings in Singapore, including the American
Embassy; and the Container Security Initiative,
to name just three examples – have been instrumental
in curbing terrorism and maintaining peace in the
region.
Four of Singapore’s top leaders share their
thoughts on the future of U.S.-Singapore security
cooperation.
“We are now facing this new terrorist threat
from Al-Qaeda. Within the region we have some
extreme groups that would like to create a larger
Islamic nation across borders. Since these terrorists
would also go after the U.S. interests in the
area, our interests have converged. Already the
intelligence community on both sides is in close
contact. We see cooperation strengthening.”
- Prime Minister,
Goh Chok Tong
“We have at a very fundamental level a good
congruence of interest. Singapore sees the U.S.
presence in the region as benign and constructive.
The longer it is maintained, the better it is
for the region. We would like to do what we can
to help the U.S. to continue to maintain this
presence. We hope the U.S. will continue to stay
in this region. Whatever we can do in terms of
security cooperation, berths for vessels, or hosting
of visits by airforce units, we are happy to do.”
- Deputy Prime Minister,
Lee Hsien Loong
“Singapore’s position of cooperation
with the United States and matters concerning
security in this part of the world is a long-standing
one. It predates 9-11 and it is based on a view
that the United States’ presence and involvement
in the region has always been an important factor
for stability. Had the United States not held
the line in 1965-1975 in Vietnam, I think the
political landscape in the region would be very
different. You gave Southeast Asian countries
breathing space at a time when they were all becoming
independent to concentrate on growth and development.
Of course it was very unpopular domestically in
the United States, but I think it was a critical
factor in the evolution of Southeast Asia. We
continue to believe that the United States’
continued involvement is a factor for continuing
stability. The United States’ presence contributes
to stable relationships and contributes to a balance
of forces in the region, which is very critical
for the region, and of course, for small countries
like Singapore.”
- Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Professor S. Jayakumar
“Singapore attaches great importance to
its defense relationship with the United States,
and strongly supports America in the fight against
international terrorism. We have provided practical
assistance to U.S. forces, such as providing access
to bases, diplomatic overflight clearance for
aircraft from the U.S. and other friendly nations,
as well as communications and logistics support
to American naval ships on transit through the
Malacca Straits. We will continue to work actively
with the U.S. and other nations to combat the
global terrorist threat.”
- Singapore’s Ambassador to the United
States,
Chan Heng Chee
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