MFA SUGGESTS COOPERATION WITH USG ON

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000687 SENSITIVE SIPDIS EAP/MTS - M. COPPOLA S/SRAP/ - K. HANRAHAN SCA/A - A. VIEHE EUR/RPM- A. COPE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR PGOV AF SG SUBJECT: MFA SUGGESTS COOPERATION WITH USG ON AFGHAN-FOCUSED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REF: SECSTATE 74362 (SBU) Acting EP Counselor delivered reftel demarche, urging Singapore to consider enhancing its contributions to Afghanistan following the August 20 Afghan presidential elections, to MFA Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia Deputy Director Stephen Lim in a July 20 meeting. Lim thanked us for the demarche and highlighted Singapore's ongoing effort to assist Afghanistan's civil development through MFA's Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). In recent years, the GOS has allocated 1.2 million SGD (800,000 USD) to the SCP for a variety of capacity building training programs specifically focused on the provision of training for Afghan officials, Lim said. The training programs all take place in Singapore, and cover topics ranging from good governance and anti-corruption to rule of law and security training. The programs typically last up to two weeks and involve multiple Singapore government agencies. Lim said the program works in conjunction with programs set up by other governments or non-governmental organizations. Lim noted that the Singapore has provided training for Afghan officials through joint programs with other ISAF members and also with NGOs such as the Asia Foundation. Lim said Singapore would welcome similar cooperation with the United States on Afghan-focused programs. Lim noted that Singapore desires to run these programs within Singapore and does not intend to provide "on-the-ground" civil-based training in Afghanistan. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm SHIELDS