Study Notes on Diplomacy and Deterrence

DIPLOMACY & DETERRENCE•

Diplomacy is the way countries manage or conduct relations with one another

• Main aim :
– To promote common interests
– Resolve conflicting interest peacefully


• Diplomats– Reps to keep in touch with foreign governments
– Consular, economic and political functions
– Report back to own country
– Sometimes play the role of peacemaker

DIPLOMACY and International CO-OPERATION• Diplomacy is shown in International co-operation
• Takes the form of
– Providing assistance and transfer of knowledge and skills

1.Eg developed countries provide money and training to developing countries

2.Eg co-operate to solve common problems – smuggling of goods across borders

3.Provides a way for countries to come together to prevent a potential
aggressor from attacking other countries Possible actions against aggressor

Economic boycott
• Countries stop trade with aggressor
• Negative effects on aggressor’s economy
• Unable to export its goods – loses important source of revenue
• Also cannot import essential goods like machinery and medicine

Last Resort
Military strike


TYPES OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS:

1. BILATERAL RELATIONS: SINGAPORE
Singapore has established bilateral relations with many countries since independence

Some benefits :
1.with China
2.Transfer of skills and technology from Germany
3.Cultural exchange with Malaysia
4.S’pore willing to help its friends in need
5.Doctors, nurses and teachers sent to Vietnam and Nepal
6.S’pore’s bilateral relations help it gain world recognition


2. REGIONAL RELATIONS: SINGAPORE ASEAN
1967 – 5 SEA leaders realised that it would be better to co-operate with each other than to be at odds with each other
ASEAN was formed on 8 Aug 1967 -Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand ; Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia joined later


3 Main Aims:
• Promote economic, social and cultural development of the region
• Protect peace and stability of the region
• Provide opportunities for member countries to discuss and resolve differences peacefully



1. Promote economic, social and cultural development of the region
– ASEAN members co-operated to improve economies
– ASEAN also established ties with other countries and associations to promote trade in the region
– Eg Japan has invested heavily in the region. Members have benefited from transfer of technology

– 1978 : Committee established to promote greater understanding and appreciation of culture and heritage of its members
– Cultural exchanges organised – film festivals, music and drama workshops, art exhibitions

2. Protect peace and stability of the region– Cambodia : Civil war in 1980s
– Fighting groups supported by countries outside ASEAN
– ASEAN and the UN persuaded the different groups in Cambodia to stop fighting and form a new democratic government


3. Provide opportunities for member countries to discuss and resolve differences peacefully– Differences over national boundaries, trade agreements, fishing rights and immigration
– Spratly Islands : Claimed by Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam
Issue not resolved to date; countries try to arrive at a peaceful solution

– Islands of Sipadan and Ligitan : claimed by Malaysia and Indonesia
– Pedra Branca : claimed by Singapore and Malaysia
– Countries involved in these disagreements choose to discuss their problems through negotiations and meetings
– At times, seek help from international organisations to settle disputes
– Eg UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of Pedra Branca





3.INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (IR)– UN serves the needs of all countries in the world
– Main mission : PRESERVE WORLD PEACE esp after two World Wars
– Founded in 1945 by the major powers of the world.
– Started with 51 members; 1999 : 188 members


3 Main Aims:
1. Providing help to countries in need
2. Giving a Voice to every member country
3. Safeguarding Peace and Stability


1. Providing help to countries in need– Helps countries facing immediate problems eg famines and earthquakes
– Sends food and medical aid


2. Giving a Voice to every member country– Members have a right to vote on decisions that may affect them
– An opportunity to voice grievances in the General Assembly
– General Assembly : Like a World Parliament where members can vote on various issues


3. Safeguarding Peace and Stability• UN sends peacekeeping forces to troubled areas:
– Comprise members from member countries
– Thus an international force
– Peacekeepers do not simply go to any troubled area
– Must first have the consent of UN members and the countries in conflict
– Main task of peacekeeping force : Ensure parties involved in an armed conflict observe the peace by keeping them apart and preventing them from fighting
– Peacekeepers must be neutral – not to side with any party involved in the conflict



The UN Security Council (SC):– Maintains peace and security among member countries
– Eg when war breaks out, it may issue stern warning to aggressor, organise a boycott or take military action to end the war
– 15 members in the SC
– 5 permanent members : China, the Russian Federation, the USA, the UK and France
– The remaining ten members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year term

• The UN International Court of Justice (ICJ):– ICJ helps member countries settle their disputes peacefully
– It is like a World Court where members can present their disputes
– Not compulsory for members to settle their disputes through ICJ
– However, when they do, they must abide by its decision



Singapore in ASEAN
• As a founding member, S’pore actively tries to maintain peace and prosperity in SEA
– eg Took on leadership role in ASEAN regional Forum (ARF)
– ARF provides opportunities for ASEAN and other countries :USA, China, Japan, Korea, Australia to discuss important issues

• S’pore also shares its technical knowledge and expertise with other ASEAN countries
– eg. training courses are arranged for those interested in learning from Singapore’s experience
– Set up training centres overseas eg. Technical training center set up in Vietnam in 1997 to help Vietnam industrilaise
– Also gives scholarships to ASEAN students to study in Singapore


Singapore in the UN
• Singapore : Member since independence in 1965.As a member, S’pore was given help and advice by UN experts on social and economic development
– Eg Dr Albert Winsemius, the economic expert who helped S’pore’s economy after independence

• Although a small country, S’pore’s membership enables us to voice our opinion on world affairs
– Since 1980 : S’pore sent over 400 police, SAF and civil service officers on UN peacekeeping missions to various countries
– 1995 : S’pore played an important role in the UN Law of the Sea Conference
The Conference was to decide on the territorial rights of a country over its waters. S’pore’s representative to the UN, Prof Tommy Koh chaired the conference




MILITARY DETERRENCE–

Diplomacy MAY resolve or prevent international disputes

– But it should not be seen as THE only way
– For diplomacy to be effective, it must be supported by military deterrence

– Frederick the Great said, “Diplomacy without military equipment is like music without instruments”


– Countries must therefore strengthen their diplomacy with military strength

– A country’s military strength will make a potential enemy think twice before attacking it

– It knows that if it continues with the attack, the other country will respond with all its military might. In the end, both sides will suffer enormous losses


SINGAPORE : Two-pronged approach–

Diplomacy and deterrence for Singapore’s defence
– Though bilateral ties, regional and international associations, we seek to co-operate with members of the international community

– But diplomacy is no guarantee of peace and security, especially for small countries like S’pore

– Singapore needs to ensure that its armed forces are powerful enough to deter ANY aggressor



SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE


1. A CITIZEN ARMED FORCES

• S’pore learnt the importance of establishing its own defence force through the Jap Occupation, the Indonesian Confrontation and the 1964 race riots

• Why a citizen armed forces ?
– In 1965, we could not afford a large professional army given our population of less than 2 million then
– Manpower was also needed in factories and industries
– We did not have the finances to support a professional army anyway
– Dr Goh Keng Swee was given the task of creating a competent defence force

– 1967 : National Service (NS) was introduced
– All 18-year-old able-bodied male citizens were called up for part-time or full-time NS
– These citizen soldiers were trained and commanded by a small regular force


– For S’pore, NS play a significant role in nation building
– Through it, Singaporeans learn to defend our country
– NS training is a good way of bonding together – common experience during training– Develop a sense of loyalty, patriotism and a shared destiny–


Upon completion of full-time NS, the men undergo training for 13 years for a maximum of 40 days a year
– Refresher training : To maintain competence in handling new weapons and equipment, to learn new tactics of war
– Ensures that they are ready to defend Singapore at ALL times
– Through NS, an effective SAF is produced despite our small size and population–

1965 : 50 officers, 1,000 men and 2 small naval vessels
– Today : The Army, the RSAF and the RSN
– 1965 to 82 : Concentrated on military defence
– 1983 : Civil Defence included
– 1984 : Total Defence part of defence policy



2. TOTAL DEFENCE
• Modern wars involve the entire population
• Through TD, the whole population has a part to play in ensuring S’pore’s security ie psychological defence, economic defence, social defence, civil defence and military defence.
• TD will deter the enemy




3. SINGAPORE’S DEFENCE INDUSTRIES

Why our own defence industries?
• To design weapons and military equipment suited to our own needs
– Our soldiers will then be able to fight more efficiently and effectively–

In the early years, S’pore faced a shortage of equipment and weapons
– Had to wait a long time for weapons to arrive
– Many were unsuitable for S’pore’s needs
• Countries unwilling to share defence technology
– Eg Electronic warfare
– Involves building an electronic shield around aircraft, ships and fighting vehicles to protect them from incoming threats
– We have to develop our own defence technology

– SDI made up of a few companies eg DTG (Defence Technology Group)
• Responsible for building up the fighting capabilities of the SAF
– Maintenance of weapon systems and equipment in the best possible conditions
– Also produce essential supplies of ammunition

• SDI able to modify and upgrade the performance of weapons and military equipment
– SAF upgrades its existing equipment if it is cost-effective
– Eg A-4 Skyhawks upgraded with new and more powerful engines
– To be an effective fighting force, the armed forces must use the latest technology and equipment
– SDI helps SAF to be self-reliant in essential defence weapons and equipment





4. MILITARY CO-OPERATION

– S’pore fosters friendly ties with armed forces of other countries
– Shortage of suitable training areas
- S’pore makes training arrangements with friendly countries:
– Bilateral and multilateral defence exercises

Bilateral Defence
Exercises and Training
– S’pore conducts exercises with ASEAN countries, Australia, NZ, India, Taiwan and USA
– Increases co-operation and strengthens ties among participating countries
– Australia – offers vast areas of open land for the training of the RSAF
– RSAF operates a Jet Flying Training School in Western Australia
– Aug 1998 – RSAF set up new training facility in Queensland
– Australia agreed to allow RSAF to train there for 15 years
– RSAF pilots, air crew and maintenance specialists will hone their skills as they will be exercising in an area 10 times the size of Singapore


Multilateral Defence Exercises
– FPDA (Five Power Defence Arrangements)
– Formed in 1971 to preserve peace in the region
– In the event of an external threat to Singapore or Malaysia, the members are to consult one another on the appropriate measures to be taken
– Could be carried out jointly or separately
– Although S’pore’s defence capabilities have improved since the 1970s, FPDA continues
to be relevant





CONCLUSION

– Diplomacy and deterrence has made Singapore confident of meeting any threats to its independence

– Poison shrimp? Puffer fish?

– Building a strong defence requires the commitment of the people and government
– It is also costly

– We can finance our defence only if Singapore develops its economy and is financially sound



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The following are just suggested answers. Please donot learn by heart. You need to understand.


Here are two strategies Singapore uses to deter an enemy attack:

Singapore’s Defence Industry
Citizens’ Army

Which do you think is the more effective? Explain your answer



Describe the strategy – Singapore’s Defence Industry


Singapore’s defence industry today is highly sophisticated and modern. In the early years, Singapore depended on imported weapons.

However, because these imported weapons were not suitable to Singapore’s needs, Singapore embarked on creating her own defence industry.

Furthermore, not all weapons could be bought as countries were not willing to share their defence technology like electronic warfare.

The Defence Technology Group is responsible for maintaining weapons systems and producing essential supplies and ammunition.

Explain why it is effective

All this helps to ensure that the SAF is ready to defend Singapore at all times. Therefore, the defence industry has played an important part in deterring an enemy attack because it has allowed the armed forces to be an effective fighting force with the use of the latest technology and weapons.



Describe the strategy – Citizens’ Army

Events in Singapore’s history like the Japanese Occupation and the Indonesian Confrontation have taught Singaporeans the importance of establishing their own defence force.

Because of manpower and economic constraints, Singapore cannot afford a large professional army.

As a result, all 18-year-old men who are able-bodied have to serve national service. Upon completion of their full-time National Service, the men undergo training for a further 13 years for a maximum of 40 days per year.


Explain why it is effective
Thus, national service has played a significant role in nation-building. It not only trains young men to fight for their country but has helped in developing a sense of loyalty, patriotism and a shared destiny.

Moreover because national service fosters racial harmony by requiring all males to go through similar experiences, the men identify themselves to a common purpose of protecting the country.

Therefore, a citizens’ army has played an important part in deterring an enemy attack because potential aggressors will have to face a ready and united force of well-trained soldiers.


Weighing the two factors

In the early days, it was important for Singapore to get it's own army as the Japanese War has shown that we cannot depend on other country like the British to defend us. During this early period, Singapore depended on imported weapons.

However, these imported weapons were not suitable to Singapore’s needs, Singapore embarked on creating her own defence industry.
Moreover not many countries would like to share these technology with Sinagpore.

As our citizen army is formed,it become mroe important for Sinagpore to have her own defence industry to deter an enemy attack. Having a citizen army without the state of the art weapon will only make the army weak and thus in effective in detering an enemy attack.

Therefore having a defence industry is mroe important then having a citizen army to deter an enemy attack.

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Below is not necesssary for you. Only for your reading pleasure

Additional Reading materials

Aug 20, 2007
Asean urged to muster political will to deal with forest fire haze
SOUTH-EAST Asian leaders were urged Monday to muster the political will to deal with the problem of forest fire haze that blankets the region regularly during their summit in Singapore later this year.
Regional think tanks, environmental groups and academics said the smog - caused mainly by burnings in Indonesia - is contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions and could impact on climate change if left unchecked.

In a statement following a one-day dialogue here, the delegates acknowledged some 'positive steps' taken by Indonesia to deal with the problem, but said Jakarta and the region needed to do more.

'The dialogue called for Asean leaders to give attention to the haze,' said Simon Tay, chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, which co-organised the event.

He said the delegates welcomed the intention of the Association of South-east Asian Nations leaders to focus on environmental issues at their summit in Singapore in November, hoping 'that this would provide political will' to address the problem.

Mr Tay said the delegates, including those from the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace and Center for International Forestry, 'highlighted the connections between the regional haze pollution and fires and the global challenge of climate change'.

Smoggy haze from the fires on Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan regions had sent air pollution levels in neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore to unhealthy levels several times last year.

While the haze has not affected major cities in the region this year, this was attributed mainly to the wet weather and favourable wind direction.

Sundari Ramakrishna, coordinator fo the Malaysian Environmental NGOs, said the Indonesian fires are expected to continue in the next 20-30 years if big palm oil plantations continue to clear peatlands to grow the plant.

Oil palm has a variety of uses, providing ingredients for disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, cooking oil, soap and biofuels. -- AFP

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Aug 21, 2007
REGIONAL DIALOGUE
'Lack of coordination' hurting anti-haze efforts
That's a key hurdle, say panellists, including those from Indonesia
By Tania Tan & Arti Mulchand
THE rainy weather may be keeping the skies clear of haze for now, but the region is not breathing easy yet.
A year after the worst haze to hit the region in over a decade, there remain more questions than answers, the panellists at the second Regional Dialogue on Transboundary Haze said yesterday.

'We've just been lucky,' said Associate Professor Simon Tay, chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, which co-organised the event.

Held at the Regent Hotel, the day-long dialogue noted that the efforts to tackle the perennial problem had been hamstrung by legal, economic and political obstacles.

One of the key concerns raised by participants, including representatives from Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, was coordination.

'The word is not in our vocabulary,' said Dr Rizal Sukma, deputy executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, an Indonesian think-tank.

He observed that the Indonesian ministries of forestry, agriculture and environment have taken steps to counter slash-and-burn practices in Sumatra and Kalimantan, where the haze originates.

But, at the same time, some six million hectares of new land has been allocated to the development of palm-oil plantations, largely dedicated to the burgeoning biofuel market.

Slash-and-burn practices in parts of this newly developed land cannot be ruled out.

And while Indonesia's Assistant Deputy Minister at the Environment Ministry, Mr Heddy Mukna, has said the country is likely to ratify the Asean Haze Agreement, 'maybe next year', the country's hesitation thus far has also cast a pall over efforts to stem the haze problem, said Dr Sukma.

Without binding agreements and sanctions, anti-haze actions become 'difficult to enforce', he said.

Signed five years ago, the anti-haze pact calls for member states to act to prevent and control burning that can pollute neighbouring countries. It has since been ratified by all the Asean countries except Indonesia and the Philippines.

A lack of funding also makes sustaining anti-haze practices an uphill task, with funds drying up before long-term change can be made, said Dr Sukma.

Mr Mukna said a notorious lack of law enforcement further compounds the problem.

Many areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan are 'very remote', making them 'difficult to police', he said.

But the picture is not entirely bleak.

In a new bottom-up approach, Indonesian provincial authorities have agreed to cooperate with Asean member states to work out detailed fire-prevention plans at a district level , with Malaysia working with Riau, and Singapore with Jambi.

Malaysia has pledged RM$2 million (S$874,000) to its project, while Singapore could be signing a letter of intent with Jambi as early as next month to put its haze masterplan into action.

The Indonesian government has pledged 100 billion rupiah (S$16 million) to each of its eight provinces to develop their own anti-haze initiatives.

What remains now is for regional governments to start looking at the haze as not just an environment concern, but an economic and public health problem, too.

The rain may have temporarily washed away concerns about the smog, but, as Prof Tay said in his summation: 'We must act now.'

taniat@sph.com.sg

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Aug 15, 2007
Hot spots up, but haze action plan still unsigned
No firm deadline yet on signing pact with S'pore, says deputy Indonesian minister
By Azhar Ghani
JAKARTA - THE annual land-clearing season is already under way, with the number of hot spots, which indicate burning on the ground, on the rise.
According to data from the Indonesian forestry authorities, the number of hot spots has been on the rise in Sumatra since the beginning of the month.

The increase in the number of hot spots was also noted by the National University of Singapore's Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (Crisp) - an outfit which monitors satellite images of the region for hot spots.

Mr Chia Aik Song, who heads Crisp's fire monitoring, told The Straits Times that the rise began 'a week ago'.

But bilateral efforts to contain the forest fires and curb the haze appear to have stalled.

Indonesian Deputy Environment Minister Masnellyarti Hilman told The Straits Times yesterday that an agreement to formalise the arrangement had yet to be signed.

This, despite Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar saying in June that the Letter of Intent (LOI) would be signed last month.

The delay in the signing of the pact would effectively push back the proposed initiatives under a comprehensive anti-haze masterplan for Jambi province.

The province, located on the east coast of central Sumatra, is Singapore's collaborative partner under Indonesia's Asean-supported national plan to combat haze.

A key plank of the masterplan, which was developed jointly by both sides, involves fire-prevention measures.

These include providing alternative livelihoods for small-time farmers and also making it worthwhile for them not to burn cleared vegetation by teaching them to turn the waste into compost or charcoal.

But the plans, which were presented in June, were delayed when Indonesia insisted on the LOI as a pre-condition for full collaboration.

It said then that it needed to put down comprehensive details about the collaboration on paper.

This was to satisfy all government institutions that none of their rules or protocols would be breached.

Ms Masnellyarti said: 'We are communicating with our Singaporean counterparts and have given our input on what we want in the LOI. But there is no firm deadline yet.'

Meanwhile, land-clearing activities in several areas in Sumatra, including Jambi, appear to have picked up pace.

Yesterday's Kompas daily reported that Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, which is just north of Jambi, was shrouded in haze for the past two days.

The report said the smoke came from fires within Riau as well as from Jambi and South Sumatra province.

Although Kompas did not provide a pollutant level reading, the daily quoted the deputy head of Pekanbaru's health department, Dr Rini Hermiyati, as advising the city's residents to minimise outdoor activities.

Even though fires in Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra were largely responsible for the haze in Singapore last year, the Republic has not been affected thus far.

The reason, Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) said yesterday, is that prevailing winds have kept the smoke away.

The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), a measure of air quality, has so far remained in the 'good' range in Singapore. The prevailing winds are expected to continue in the same direction for the next few days and will keep the haze away from Singapore, the NEA said.

azhar@sph.com.sg

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Aug 21, 2007
Singapore sets itself three challenges as new Asean chairman
A key aim is to beef up Asean's support pillars - economic integration, regional security and socio-cultural ties

By Cheong Suk-Wai

AS ASEAN forges ahead 40 years on, a key task would be strengthening its three supporting pillars - that is, economic integration, regional security and socio-cultural ties.
That, said Foreign Minister George Yeo in a speech yesterday, is one of the three challenges Singapore has set itself as Asean's new chairman, a post it took over from the Philippines on Aug 2.

The other challenges are seeing the draft Asean Charter through to completion at the Asean Summit here in November, and getting all in Asean to tackle energy security, environmental protection and climate change head-on so that regional growth can be sustained.

Mr Yeo was opening the 41st Asean Standing Committee meeting here, the first in a series of Asean events that Singapore will host from now till next August, when it hands over the chairmanship to Thailand.

The committee itself is Asean's engine and comprises directors-general from each member country who meet quarterly to steer Asean's day-to-day operations. Mr Yeo likened it to 'an elaborate timepiece' which no one noticed when it ran like clockwork, but would jump if it did not work well.

Noting that Asean was trying to form its own single market by 2015, Mr Yeo pointed out: 'If only economic integration binds the grouping together, we can only go so far...diversions of national interest will pull us apart.'

He added: 'If security and socio-cultural (ties) were not strengthened simultaneously, then the pillars will crack.'

Asean Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong told The Straits Times that, as chairman, the Republic will set a tone that is 'very business-like' and 'particular about processes'. 'Nobody disagrees with what Singapore has said,' he added. 'The only concern is the pace of change. Should we do it tomorrow or next week?'

Mr Yeo revealed that Asean foreign ministers will study the draft charter here some time next month'before the finishing touches are put to it' for members to sign it at the upcoming Asean Summit.

Meanwhile, Mr Ong said that Asean economic ministers will be kept busy later this week, studying the draft economic blueprint for a single market.

Amid such big developments, Mr Yeo said yesterday that Singapore felt a 'heavy responsibility' on its shoulders.

Mr Yeo's call for a rounded Asean community was echoed by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi yesterday when he opened the 28th Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) in Kuala Lumpur.

Nineteen Singapore MPs, led by Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi, were at this four-day meet for regional lawmakers. At the meet, the Singapore Speaker noted that Aipa could help foster the Asean community by accelerating the passing of laws to enforce contracts as well as by being a regional forum to exchange best practices.

Yesterday, Aipa also honoured Mr Abdullah's predecessor, three-time Aipa president Tan Soo Khoon, with its Distinguished Services Award, a warm prelude to Singapore taking over the Aipa presidency from Malaysia on Friday.

suk@sph.com.sg

PM: Bilateral issues best settled by international law

OUTSTANDING bilateral issues between Singapore and Malaysia are best put aside for now to focus on new areas of cooperation, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told visiting Asean journalists on Friday.

If there are issues which have to be settled, they should be resolved according to international law and treaties, he added.
One such issue is the longstanding territorial dispute over Pedra Branca island, located at the eastern entrance of the Singapore Strait.
Both countries have agreed to take the matter to the International Court of Justice and the case will be heard in November.
'The old issues, we just let it be,' Mr Lee said during the interview, in response to a question from a Malaysian journalist.
'If they have to be resolved, go according to the law and the treaties because that's non-contentious and both sides can accept it, and it doesn't lead to any loss of face or commitment,' he said.
On the Pedra Branca case, Mr Lee hoped Malaysia would accept the court's decision if it was in Singapore's favour.
He said he was sure Singapore would accept one in Malaysia's favour.
As for the other outstanding bilateral issues, Mr Lee said there were no specific items among them that he urgently wanted to settle.
The issues include Malayan Railway land, the use of Malaysian airspace by the Republic of Singapore Air Force, the price of water from Johor and a bridge to replace the Causeway.
Mr Lee said if they had been easy to resolve, his predecessor Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, from whom Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi took over, would already have done so.
'I do not see myself being able to do better than Mr Goh Chok Tong. And I don't think it would be easier for Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to do better than Dr Mahathir, because what Dr Mahathir could not give, Datuk Seri Abdullah cannot give,' he said.
Turning to government-to-government cooperation on the Iskandar Development Region in Johor, Mr Lee said there had been some reaction within Malaysia to the setting up of a joint ministerial committee.
To prevent misunderstanding, Singapore has decided to proceed at the pace that Malaysia is comfortable with.
'We will let Malaysia take the lead...In other areas, I think we should proceed like that too, because otherwise, if we push too hard, there might be some misinterpretation,' he said.
Mr Lee was also asked whether Singapore and Indonesia's differences over an extradition treaty and defence pact could be overcome.
He said that Singapore had suggested a way forward and was waiting for Jakarta to respond.
But the matter had become politicised in the Indonesian Parliament, so Singapore would wait until Indonesia reached a consensus to proceed, he said.


Aug 12, 2007 Straits Time By Lynn Lee


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Aug 29, 2007
Army to boost their inventory with unmanned aerial vehicles
THE air force has them, the navy has them, and soon, the army will get its hands on them - by year's end.
They are small remotely controlled unmanned vehicles that can go where no man can go to, or might want to.

The air force and the army call theirs UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles.

While the pilotless planes already in the flyboys' inventory have wingspans nearly as long as two car lengths, the army's will be so small they can fit into a backpack.

Size apart, all UAVs serve a vital mission: they help ground forces see further upfield, and can go into enemy territory to gather information without risk to soldiers.

The army started experimenting with low-cost mini-UAVs two years ago. By the end of the year, army units down to the battalion level will be getting mini-UAVs fitted with surveillance cameras.

The Chief of Army, Major-General Neo Kian Hong, said on Monday the army will be increasing the use of UAVs from battalion-level up.

He said the UAVs 'will be able to give information to ground forces in a real-time fashion, to allow them to fight in a more effective way'.

The Ministry of Defence said that the units involved in reconnaissance will be among those to train in UAVs.

The adoption of new technologies such as mini-UAVs is in line with the transformation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) into a third-generation, high-tech, force over the next decade.

It will be an SAF relying on fewer but better educated soldiers adept at handling advanced, precision technology.

Thus, unmanned systems that can fly, sail or swim are a rapidly advancing area to enhance the SAF's capabilities.


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