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