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