SINGAPORE SCENESETTER FOR EAP A/S HILL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SINGAPORE 001567

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR A/S HILL FROM AMBASSADOR HERBOLD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ETRD PTER PHUM SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE SCENESETTER FOR EAP A/S HILL

REF: SINGAPORE 1486


1. (SBU) We warmly welcome your May 20-22 visit to Singapore.
Singapore's leadership will be interested in your views on
developments in Asia and the U.S. role in the region and can
be counted on to provide thoughtful views on questions such
as terrorism in Southeast Asia and the rise of China. Your
visit offers the opportunity to:

-- send a public message throughout the region of the United
States' commitment here;
-- advance our counter-proliferation and law enforcement
objectives; and
-- raise concerns about Singapore's democratic process.

Strategic Partners, not Allies
--------------


2. (SBU) Our excellent relationship with Singapore is founded
on a convergence of views on key strategic issues and
substantial trade and investment ties. Singapore views a
strong U.S. diplomatic, military, and economic presence in
the region as essential to regional peace and prosperity.
Singapore is a valuable logistics hub for U.S. forces and
seeks greater interoperability with us, highlighted by its
selection late last year of the F-15SG for its Next
Generation Fighter. Singapore consistently has supported
Coalition forces in Iraq and the GOS has indicated it will
provide trainers for the Global Peace Operations Initiative
(GPOI). To preserve its autonomy and credibility with its
neighbors, however, Singapore limits its closeness to us. It
specifically does not want to be a treaty ally; our military
leases facilities from the GOS -- there are no U.S. "bases"
on the island.

Terrorism, Non-proliferation and Law Enforcement
-------------- ---


3. (SBU) Singapore is a reliable and highly capable partner
in the Global War on Terrorism. In 2001, the GOS uncovered a
plot by Jemaah Islamiya to bomb targets in Singapore,
including this mission. The GOS continues to view Singapore
as a high-profile terrorist target and the GOS regularly
warns its citizens that a terrorist attack is inevitable.
Singapore's leaders are concerned about the growth of radical
Islam in Southeast Asia and the long-term threat to secular
authority.


4. (SBU) Singapore is an active member in
counterproliferation programs such as the Proliferation
Security Initiative and the Container Security Initiative and
is working with Malaysia and Indonesia to enhance maritime
security in the Strait of Malacca. We have been working with
Singapore -- a major transshipment hub -- to bring its export
controls up to world class standards. As an IAEA board
member, Singapore has supported our efforts to press Iran to
abandon its nuclear ambitions.


5. (SBU) Law enforcement cooperation is good, but could be
much better. We want to conclude a Mutual Legal Assistance
Treaty (MLAT) to raise our cooperation to a level
commensurate with our close ties and Singapore's status as a
highly-developed economy and important financial center.
Singapore is willing to share information quietly through
intelligence channels, but is much less forthcoming through
law enforcement channels.

Regional Issues
--------------


6. (SBU) Singapore views the Taiwan Strait and the Korean
Peninsula as the most serious potential flash points in East
Asia. GOS leaders still worry that perceived Taiwan moves
toward independence could spark a conflict with China. While
less directly affected by the Korean Peninsula, Singaporean
leaders will welcome your insights on the Six Party Talks and
other ways we are trying to modify North Korean behavior.
This offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of our
non-proliferation objectives and our efforts to check the
North Korean government's criminal behavior.


7. (SBU) Singapore encourages outside powers to take an
interest in Southeast Asia. It seeks to improve its

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bilateral and ASEAN's relations with rising powers India and
China. Singapore is increasingly frustrated with Burma and
its negative impact on ASEAN's relations with us and the EU,
but the GOS will not take any strong action against the
junta. The GOS frequently urges us to engage more with
Indonesia and welcomes our renewed military relationship
there.

Domestic Politics
--------------


8. (SBU) The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) won another
landslide victory in the May 6 parliamentary elections
(Reftel). Most Singaporeans value the peace and prosperity
the PAP has delivered since the 1950's and it would have won
handily even without employing its usual hardball tactics to
cripple the opposition. With Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew
clearly in the lead in this regard, however, the PAP
threatened perennial opponent Dr. Chee Soon Juan and his
Singapore Democratic Party with another defamation suit and
harassed a Workers' Party candidate on trivial grounds,
following up its blast of campaign-period criticism with a
"criminal" investigation that ended with a warning to the
defeated oppositionist. During and after the election, many
Singaporeans, even among the elite, were visibly
uncomfortable with the PAP's rough -- and unnecessary --
electoral tactics. Your visit offers the opportunity to
reinforce our interest in Singapore's continued success,
which will require lifting constraints on expression and
allowing the full participation of citizens in the political
process.
HERBOLD