(C) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON SINGAPORE POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 060203

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2034
TAGS: PINR KDEM PGOV SN
SUBJECT: (C) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON SINGAPORE POLITICAL

REFORMS (C-AL9-01329)

REF: SINGAPORE 000520

Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (C) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS FOUND REFTEL TO BE A VERY
INTERESTING AND USEFUL EXAMINATION OF PROPOSED DEMOCRATIC AND
LEGISLATIVE REFORMS FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF SINGAPORE. REFTEL
PROVIDED CONTEXT FOR THE REFORMS AND MADE CLEAR THAT SUCH
CHANGES ARE MAINLY COSMETIC; THIS ALLOWED ANALYSTS TO TEMPER
POTENTIAL OPTIMISM ABOUT THE CHANGES DURING DISCUSSIONS WITH
OTHER SINGAPORE WATCHERS. REFTEL IS ALSO AN EXCELLENT PRIMER
ON SEVERAL COMPLEX ASPECTS OF SINGAPORE'S ELECTORAL AND
LEGISLATIVE PRACTICES, WHICH WILL HAVE LONG USE HERE IN
WASHINGTON. MANY THANKS, AND REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON.
CLINTON