TRILATERAL CT SECURITY DIALOGUE WITH JAPAN AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SINGAPORE 001046

SIPDIS

S/CT
NSC FOR PHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL PHUM SN
SUBJECT: TRILATERAL CT SECURITY DIALOGUE WITH JAPAN AND
AUSTRALIA

REF: STATE 84342

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Herbold for Reasons 1.4(b)(d)


1. (C) Summary: Emboffs met counterparts from the embassies
of Japan and Australia September 18 to discuss
counterterrorism (CT) efforts with Singapore in relation to
the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue (TSD). Emboffs provided
counterparts a matrix of Post's CT-related training and
cooperative activities with Singapore and suggested we share
such information on a continuing basis to identify potential
gaps or areas of duplication. Australian Poloff outlined
GOA CT efforts with Singapore, which focus mainly on
Immigration, Customs and Border Control training. Japan
does not cooperate with Singapore on a bilateral basis, but
instead focuses its CT efforts multilaterally, primarily
through the ASEAN Plus Three process, the Japanese Poloff
told us. Counterparts agreed that Singapore security
agencies are well trained, funded, and motivated, and that
they actively seek and effectively utilize the training they
need. In this context, there was little advantage to
undertaking activities with the GOS on a trilateral basis,
though we agreed to continue consulting and sharing
information on a regular basis. End Summary.

Seeking to Identify Potential Areas of CT Cooperation
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Pol Chief and Poloff met with First Secretary Lucinda
Bell from the Embassy of Australia and First Secretary Susumu
Takonai from the Embassy of Japan September 18 to discuss CT
efforts with Singapore and identify potential areas of
collaboration. Emboffs provided Japan and Australia Poloffs
with a matrix that includes post's CT-related training and
activities with Singapore. Japanese and Australian
counterparts agreed to continue sharing such information in
an effort identify potential gaps and/or areas where
redundancies might exist between our respective bilateral CT
efforts with Singapore.

Australian CT Efforts
--------------


3. (C) Singapore officials are eager to participate in
training, and the GOA has provided numerous training
opportunities for CT, military and border control
officials, Bell told us. Bell said Australia's training
focus has mainly been in the areas of customs and border
control. The GOA also often provides Singapore CT training
through mil-mil channels, Bell added. The GOA has a
representative from the Australian Federal Police permanently
posted to Singapore, Bell told us. The Federal Police
official works with his GOS counterparts on a broad range of
CT and related issues.

Japanese CT Efforts
--------------


4. (C) Takonai explained that Japan does not have any CT
engagement with Singapore on a bilateral basis. Rather,
Japan channels its CT efforts through multilateral groupings
such as the ASEAN Plus Three (which includes the ten members
of ASEAN plus Japan, China and South Korea). Japan will host
an ASEAN Plus Three CT Workshop in October, and has requested
participating countries to submit a list of potential
collaborative CT programs for discussion. Takonai also noted
that Japan is major backer of the Regional Cooperation
Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships
in Asia (ReCAAP) and provides active support to RECAAP's
Information Center, located in Singapore. Takonai told us
that he is Japan's regional CT expert and that, although
based in Singapore, he covers and frequently travels to
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to monitor the
terrorist threat there.

Trilateral Cooperation and Next Steps
--------------


5. (C) Counterparts agreed that Singapore security agencies
are well trained, well funded, and highly motivated. They
are eager consumers of CT-related training and put it to

SINGAPORE 00001046 002 OF 002


effective use. Thus, we agreed there was little need for or
advantage to undertaking activities with the GOS on a
trilateral basis. However, we agreed to continue consulting
and sharing information on a regular basis in order to
identify potential gaps, areas of overlap or areas for
collaboration with the GOS.

Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD