(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