SINGAPORE REAFFIRMS SUPPORT ON AFGHANISTAN AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 001149 SIPDIS EAP/MTS - M. COPPOLA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2019 TAGS: PREL SN AF PK SUBJECT: SINGAPORE REAFFIRMS SUPPORT ON AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN REF: A. STATE 120807 ¶B. STATE 122731 ¶C. STATE 123222 Classified By: ChQe d'Affaires Daniel Shields for reasons 1.4(b,d) ¶1. (C) MFA Deputy Secretary Chua Siew San told the CDA that Singapore will continue to support strongly the U.S. approach in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Chua said she personally expects that Singapore will be able to make a clear, public statement of support for the President's announcement in his West Point speech. The CDA met with Chua on December 2 (she was not available earlier) to deliver the points in reftels and to urge that Singapore support the way forward on Afghanistan and Pakistan outlined by the President. The CDA expressed appreciation for Singapore's ongoing participation in Afghanistan and confidence that Singapore will remain a committed ISAF partner in implementing the new way forward. ¶2. (C) Chua welcomed the U.S. message and reaffirmed Singapore's strong interest in a successful outcome in this very important mission. (Note: In a public show of support in early November, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean visited the Singaporean troops in Afghanistan. End note.) Singapore's approach has been to make contributions that are both meaningful and sustainable given the country's small size, Chua said. She briefly reviewed Singapore's participation in Afghanistan, including its deployment of a 17-person weapon-locating radar team and a 20-person medical team. Chua said that Singapore remains ready to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles and a refueling tanker to Afghanistan. SHIELDS Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm