Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SINGAPORE88
2006-01-12 09:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:  

DEFENSE MINISTER TEO ON SECURITY TIES AND

Tags:  PGOV PTER PREL MARR SN 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 000088 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL MARR SN
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER TEO ON SECURITY TIES AND
COUNTERTERRORISM

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold for reasons 1.4(b)/(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 000088

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL MARR SN
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER TEO ON SECURITY TIES AND
COUNTERTERRORISM

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold for reasons 1.4(b)/(d).


1. (C) Summary: During the Ambassador's introductory call on
Minister of Defense Teo Chee Hean, Minister Teo stressed the
importance of active U.S. engagement with Southeast Asia. He
affirmed that the U.S.-Singapore security relationship was
built on strong institutional ties and common values.
Ambassador Herbold thanked Minister Teo for Singapore's
support in Iraq and its early and enthusiastic support of the
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). She said the United
States and Singapore should work together even more closely
in counterterrorism and non-proliferation, and highlighted
the example of Iranian and North Korean WMD shipments. End
Summary.

Bilateral Mil-Mil Relationship
--------------


2. (C) Minister Teo pointed to the importance to Singapore
of the United States' stablilizing role in Southeast Asia.
Singapore wants a strong and open region and would like the
United States to remain actively engaged here. Some of
Singapore's neighbors, in contrast, prefer a closed region in
which they can have preeminence. Minister Teo noted that,
when Singapore and the United States signed the 1990 MOU that
allows U.S. forces to use Singapore facilities, the United
States was "not universally welcome" in Southeast Asia. Over
time, he said, the region has come to realize the value of
the U.S. presence.


3. (C) Minister Teo noted the success of the recently signed
Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA),which facilitates more
mutual training and exercises along with enhanced technology
exchanges. Minister Teo expressed appreciation for the many
training opportunities in the United States for RSAF units.
He observed that one-third of all foreign ship visits to the
Changi Naval Base are U.S. Navy ships, and that Changi has
hosted 14 U.S. aircraft carrier visits -- three to four per
year since the pier was completed.

Iraq
--------------


4. (C) Ambassador Herbold reaffirmed U.S. appreciation for
Singapore's support in Iraq. She added that, as we hand over
more security responsibilities to the Iraqis, it is important
for coalition partners to maintain a united front against
terrorists. Minister Teo responded that Singapore has been
glad it could help bring stability to Iraq in practical ways
and also demonstrate political support for the United States.

Non-proliferation and Counterterrorism
--------------


5. (C) Ambassador Herbold noted that the United States
gratefully recognizes Singapore's contribution as an early
partner in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI),and
appreciates Singapore's efforts to encourage its neighbors'
participation in PSI. Minister Teo said that the United
States and Singapore are not always in lock step on all
issues but that we share basic interests and a regional/world
view. He assessed that the fight against terrorism was
moving to an ideological phase and hoped that we would work
in parallel to the extent possible to change how people think
about extremism. Pointing to the importance of interdicting
shipments of WMD materials to companies from Iran and North
Korea, the Ambassador urged that we work even more closely on
counterterrorism and non-proliferation.
HERBOLD