Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SINGAPORE1154
2009-12-03 08:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:  

AFGHANISTAN: SINGAPORE PUBLICLY WELCOMES PRESIDENT

Tags:  PREL SN AF PK 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6144
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDBU RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHPW RUEHSL
DE RUEHGP #1154 3370806
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 030806Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7487
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0880
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0077
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 001154 

SIPDIS

EAP/MTS - M. COPPOLA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019
TAGS: PREL SN AF PK
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN: SINGAPORE PUBLICLY WELCOMES PRESIDENT
OBAMA'S "POSITIVE AND PRAGMATIC" WAY FORWARD

REF: A. STATE 120807

B. STATE 122731

C. STATE 123222

D. SINGAPORE 1149

Classified By: CDA Daniel Shields for reason 1.4(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 001154

SIPDIS

EAP/MTS - M. COPPOLA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019
TAGS: PREL SN AF PK
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN: SINGAPORE PUBLICLY WELCOMES PRESIDENT
OBAMA'S "POSITIVE AND PRAGMATIC" WAY FORWARD

REF: A. STATE 120807

B. STATE 122731

C. STATE 123222

D. SINGAPORE 1149

Classified By: CDA Daniel Shields for reason 1.4(d)


1. (U) The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the
following press statement late on December 2. (Note:
President Obama's West Point speech took place on the morning
of December 2 Singapore time. End note.)

BEGIN TEXT OF MFA STATEMENT

Singapore welcomes the United States' continued commitment in
Afghanistan that President Obama outlined today. This is a
positive and pragmatic way forward.

Singapore continues to support the multinational
stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. A
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Weapon Locating Radar and a
medical team are now deployed in Oruzgan province and an
engineering team in Bamiyan province in support of these
efforts. Singapore has also offered to deploy a KC-135
aerial refueling tanker and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
detachment if these are useful to the multinational efforts.
Singapore has also been offering a variety of training
programmes for Afghan officials, including healthcare,
anti-narcotics control, and water and waste management.

END TEXT OF MFA STATEMENT


2. (C) Comment: Singapore MFA Deputy Secretary Chua Siew
San told CDA on December 2 that she expected (Ref D)
Singapore would be able to make a clear, public statement of
support for President Obama's announcement. The MFA followed
up within a few hours by delivering such a statement.
Singapore is clearly proud of its contributions to the ISAF
effort and is prepared to do more, consistent with its small
size and limited manpower and logistical capabilities. The
period following President Obama's speech affords an
opportunity to underline Singapore's renewed commitment to
Afghanistan by finding a way to move forward on Singapore's
outstanding offers of a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker and
UAV detachment. Singapore also has a great deal of technical
expertise that could help civilian reconstruction and
development efforts in Afghanistan. End Comment.

SHIELDS

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