Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SINGAPORE915
2006-03-22 07:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON MINISTER OF TRANSPORT YEO
how-toVZCZCXRO7477 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHGP #0915 0810711 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 220711Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9266 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1612 RUEANHA/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHDC RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC
UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000915
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ELTN EWWT ECON SN
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON MINISTER OF TRANSPORT YEO
CHEOW TONG
UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000915
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ELTN EWWT ECON SN
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON MINISTER OF TRANSPORT YEO
CHEOW TONG
1. (SBU) Summary: The United States appreciates Singapore's
implementation of maritime security programs such as the
Container Security Initiative and Megaports, the Ambassador
told Transportation Minister Yeo Cheow Tong in a March 17
courtesy call. The Ambassador stressed that Singapore needed
to do more to monitor transshipped and transit cargo, which
comprises 80 percent of Singapore's throughput. Minister Yeo
said that Singapore welcomed U.S. participation in future
transportation disaster drills. End summary.
PORT SECURITY
--------------
2. (SBU) Noting that container shipping security was an
important issue for a transport hub like Singapore, Minister
Yeo said that he had briefly discussed this with
Transportation Secretary Mineta at the January 12-13
Ministerial Conference on International Transport Security in
Tokyo. He asserted that Singapore's efficiency in processing
the more than 23 million containers that pass through the
port annually depended in part on not having to collect
manifest data on transshipped and transit cargo.
Acknowledging that efficiency was important, the Ambassador
stressed that Singapore must strike a balance between
transport efficiency and security. She underscored the risk
that WMD could pass undetected through Singapore en route to
a U.S. or other port as well as the potential danger to
Singapore of an offloaded but unchecked container awaiting
transfer. Minister Yeo acknowledged the risks, explaining
that Singapore Customs was focused on this issue.
OPEN SKIES
--------------
3. (SBU) In reference to the Tokyo meetings, Minister Yeo
praised Secretary Mineta's astute management of U.S.
transportation matters. He noted that Singapore, like the
United States, was an "open skies" proponent. He expressed
disappointment about Australia's recent decision to block
Singapore Airlines from the Sydney-Los Angeles route.
Singapore was still "knocking on Australia's door" in an
effort to obtain an "open skies" agreement, he said.
DISASTER DRILLS
--------------
4. (SBU) Asked about allowing appropriate U.S. officials to
observe transportation disaster drills in order to better
assist American citizens, Minister Yeo said that Singapore
encouraged U.S. participation and that the United States
could play an important role. It was important to share
ideas and experiences about disaster response and
preparedness, he concluded.
HERBOLD
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ELTN EWWT ECON SN
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON MINISTER OF TRANSPORT YEO
CHEOW TONG
1. (SBU) Summary: The United States appreciates Singapore's
implementation of maritime security programs such as the
Container Security Initiative and Megaports, the Ambassador
told Transportation Minister Yeo Cheow Tong in a March 17
courtesy call. The Ambassador stressed that Singapore needed
to do more to monitor transshipped and transit cargo, which
comprises 80 percent of Singapore's throughput. Minister Yeo
said that Singapore welcomed U.S. participation in future
transportation disaster drills. End summary.
PORT SECURITY
--------------
2. (SBU) Noting that container shipping security was an
important issue for a transport hub like Singapore, Minister
Yeo said that he had briefly discussed this with
Transportation Secretary Mineta at the January 12-13
Ministerial Conference on International Transport Security in
Tokyo. He asserted that Singapore's efficiency in processing
the more than 23 million containers that pass through the
port annually depended in part on not having to collect
manifest data on transshipped and transit cargo.
Acknowledging that efficiency was important, the Ambassador
stressed that Singapore must strike a balance between
transport efficiency and security. She underscored the risk
that WMD could pass undetected through Singapore en route to
a U.S. or other port as well as the potential danger to
Singapore of an offloaded but unchecked container awaiting
transfer. Minister Yeo acknowledged the risks, explaining
that Singapore Customs was focused on this issue.
OPEN SKIES
--------------
3. (SBU) In reference to the Tokyo meetings, Minister Yeo
praised Secretary Mineta's astute management of U.S.
transportation matters. He noted that Singapore, like the
United States, was an "open skies" proponent. He expressed
disappointment about Australia's recent decision to block
Singapore Airlines from the Sydney-Los Angeles route.
Singapore was still "knocking on Australia's door" in an
effort to obtain an "open skies" agreement, he said.
DISASTER DRILLS
--------------
4. (SBU) Asked about allowing appropriate U.S. officials to
observe transportation disaster drills in order to better
assist American citizens, Minister Yeo said that Singapore
encouraged U.S. participation and that the United States
could play an important role. It was important to share
ideas and experiences about disaster response and
preparedness, he concluded.
HERBOLD