THE LITTLE
RED D. T Reflections by Singapore's Diplomats
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THE LITTLE
RED D.T Re...
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THE LITTLE
RED D. T Reflections by Singapore's Diplomats
This page intentionally left blank
THE LITTLE
RED D.T Reflections by Singapore's Diplomats
Editors
Tommy Koh Chang Li Lin
w wORLD sCIENTIFIC
iPS
Institute of Policy Studies
Published by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. 5 Toh Tuck Link, Singapore 596224 USA office: 27 Warren Street, Suite 401-402, Hackensack, NJ 07601 UK office: 57 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9HE
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
THE LITTLE DOT: REFLECTIONS BY SINGAPORE’S DIPLOMATS Copyright © 2005 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission from the Publisher.
For photocopying of material in this volume, please pay a copying fee through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. In this case permission to photocopy is not required from the publisher.
ISBN 981-256-414-4 (pbk)
Printed in Singapore.
4O 3 2AJARATNAM 3INGAPORES lRST &OREIGN -INISTER TO
DEDICATIONINDD
0-
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&OREWORD
+ISSINGER HAS DESCRIBED 3INGAPORE LEADERS MORE THAN ONCE AS BEING hCOLD BLOODEDv IN THEIR ANALYSIS OF THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT 7E HAVE TO BE (AVING TO SCRATCH OUT AN EXISTENCE WITHIN RATHER TIGHT MARGINS WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE SUBJECTIVE OR SENTIMENTAL IN OUR WORLDVIEW &ROM THE MOMENT OF OUR INDEPENDENCE WE HAVE HAD TO DO TWO THINGS lRST MAKING A LIVING WITH WHAT LITTLE WE HAVE AND SECOND PROTECTING AN ISLAND CITY STATE WITH ZERO STRATEGIC DEPTH )T IS THEREFORE NOT SURPRISING THAT THE MISSION OF THE &OREIGN -INISTRY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FOCUSED ON CREATING AND SECURING OUR EXTERNAL POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SPACE 4HAT CLARITY OF MISSION HAS CREATED A STRONG TRADITION IN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE "ECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS TOO MUCH TO DO AND NEVER ENOUGH RESOURCES WE HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES AT HAND )N THE EARLY YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE IT WAS TO ESTABLISH GOOD RELATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS ON THE BASIS OF MUTUAL BENElT AND MUTUAL RESPECT AND STRONG LINKS WITH THE 53 %UROPE AND *APAN WHICH ENSURED OUR SECURITY AND PROVIDED OUR INVESTMENTS 7HEN 3OUTH 6IETNAM FELL TO THE .ORTH IN AND PARTICULARLY AFTER 6IETNAMESE ARMY DIVISIONS CROSSED THE -EKONG IN WE WORKED FEVERISHLY TO STRENGTHEN !3%!. 7ITH OUR !3%!. PARTNERS AND OTHER FRIENDS WE WERE DETERMINED TO PREVENT THE ABSORPTION OF #AMBODIA INTO THE 3OVIET CAMP !FTER THE END OF THE #OLD 7AR WJJ
FOREWORDINDD
!-
WJJJ 5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
THE LANDSCAPE SAW A SEA CHANGE !S #HINA AND )NDIA RE EMERGED AS ECONOMIC POWERS WE HAD TO ADJUST OUR POSITION TO CAPTURE NEW OPPORTUNITIES 4HE INTEGRATION OF ALL OF 3OUTH EAST !SIA BECAME A KEY TASK 4HE !SIAN lNANCIAL CRISIS CAME AS A RUDE SHOCK )T WAS FOLLOWED BY 3!23 AND THE TSUNAMI "UT WITH EACH CHALLENGE !3%!. GREW STRONGER !ND WITH GLOBALISATION WE ENTERED AN ERA OF &4!S 4HE FUNDAMENTALS HOWEVER REMAIN UNCHANGED 7E HAVE STILL TO MAKE A LIVING BUT THIS TIME IN THE GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY 7E HAVE STILL TO SECURE THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT BUT THIS TIME IN A WORLD WHERE THE MAJOR POWERS ARE NO LONGER AT EACH OTHERS THROATS )NSTEAD THEY HAVE BECOME ECONOMICALLY INTERDEPENDENT AND COOPERATE TO lGHT GLOBAL TERRORISM %CONOMICS IS NOW A LARGE PART OF FOREIGN POLICY 2OUGHLY SPEAKING THREE GENERATIONS OF ABLE MEN AND WOMEN IN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN THE LAST YEARS !LTHOUGH WE DO NOT HAVE MANY FOREIGN MISSIONS AND ALL ARE MODESTLY STAFFED WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO mY HIGH THE 3INGAPORE mAG /URS IS A WELL REGARDED &OREIGN 3ERVICE WITH A STRONG ESPRIT DE CORPS ) WAS HONOURED TO BE A DEPUTY &OREIGN -INISTER FROM TO 4O ME IT WAS LIKE JOINING #AMELOT 4HERE WERE MANY BRAVE KNIGHTS SOME WITH PERSONALITIES SHARPLY ETCHED ) WAS DELIGHTED TO RETURN TO THE -INISTRY LAST YEAR SAD TO lND OUT THAT SOME HAD RETIRED BUT GLAD THAT MANY MORE HAVE JOINED ITS RANKS 4HIS BOOK IS A COLLECTION OF THEIR STORIES
'EORGE 9EO -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS 3INGAPORE -AY
FOREWORDINDD
!-
#ONTENTS
&OREWORD BY 'EORGE 9EO -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS 3INGAPORE
VII
!CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
XIII
,IST OF !BBREVIATIONS
XV
)NTRODUCTION
XXI
0ART 4HE 0RESIDENTS -AKING &RIENDS BY 7EE +IM 7EE -Y &OREIGN -INISTRY 9EARS BY 3 2 .ATHAN
0ART -INISTERS
0RINCIPLES OF 3INGAPORES &OREIGN 0OLICY BY 3 2AJARATNAM 3CENES FROM THE #AMBODIAN $RAMA BY 3 $HANABALAN #ONTINUITY AND #HANGE IN 3INGAPORES &OREIGN 0OLICY BY 7ONG +AN 3ENG 3INGAPORES &IRST ,OBBYING %FFORT IN THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY BY 3 *AYAKUMAR
JY
CONTENTINDD
!-
Y 5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
3OLVING 4WO $IPLOMATIC #HALLENGES BY ,EE +HOON #HOY
0ART 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARIES
! 0IONEER IN THE 3ERVICE BY #HIA #HEONG &OOK 3INGAPORE IN THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL BY +ISHORE -AHBUBANI &ATE AND #IRCUMSTANCE BY 4AN #HIN 4IONG 3OME &UNDAMENTALS OF 3INGAPORES &OREIGN 0OLICY BY "ILAHARI +AUSIKAN
0ART -ADAM !MBASSADORS &RIENDS AND )DEAS IN $IPLOMACY BY #HAN (ENG #HEE !N !CCIDENTAL $IPLOMAT BY *AYA -OHIDEEN ) 7ISH ) (AD A 7IFE BY -ARY 3EET #HENG
0ART &IRST 'ENERATION $IPLOMATS
CONTENTINDD
h3ENT TO ,IE !BROAD FOR -Y #OUNTRYv BY -USHAHID !LI )MPRESSIONS OF $IPLOMATIC ,IFE BY -AURICE "AKER ! *ONAH IN $IPLOMACY BY (ARRY #HAN +ENG (OWE 4HE (UMAN 3IDE OF $IPLOMACY BY #HEW 4AI 3OO 2EPRESENTING 3INGAPORE IN THE %ARLY 9EARS BY #HIANG (AI $ING ! 3OLDIER IN $IPLOMACY BY 7INSTON #HOO ,IFE IN THE &ORMER 5332 BY *OSEPH #ONCEICAO !N !MBASSADOR IN 4RANSITION ! 4ASTE OF &RENCH $IPLOMACY BY &OO -ENG 4ONG 4HE 0OLITICS OF 4RADE 3INGAPORE AND THE 7ORLD 4RADE /RGANISATION BY + +ESAVAPANY
!-
$POUFOUT YJ
%IGHT ,ESSONS ON .EGOTIATIONS BY 4OMMY +OH 2EmECTIONS IN "ITS AND 0IECES BY ,EE #HIONG 'IAM "EING !N !MBASSADOR THE 3)! 7AY BY ,IM #HIN "ENG 2EmECTIONS OF YEARS IN $IPLOMACY BY ,OW #HOON -ING 3PEAKING 5P FOR 3INGAPORE BY 6ERGHESE -ATHEWS &ROM !CADEMIA TO $IPLOMACY AND "ACK BY 0ANG %NG &ONG ! 3OJOURN IN $IPLOMACY BY * 9 0ILLAY 3TARTING FROM 3CRATCH BY 6 + 2AJAN 4HE )MPORTANCE OF &RIENDSHIPS IN $IPLOMACY BY 2IDZWAN $ZAlR 4HE %ARLY 9EARS BY 3EE #HAK -UN #ULTURE OF AN )NCLUSIVE /RGANISATION BY +EMAL 4ONY 3IDDIQUE 4HE )MPORTANCE OF 0ROTOCOL IN $IPLOMACY BY 4AN +ENG *IN
0ART 4HE 3ECOND 'ENERATION
CONTENTINDD
5NDIPLOMATIC 7ANDERINGS THROUGH )NDONESIA BY "ARRY $ESKER !N %NRICHING ,EARNING %XPERIENCE IN 4HAILAND BY #ALVIN %U 0ERSONAL 2ELATIONS AND $IPLOMACY BY *ACKY &OO ,EARNING FROM /THERS BY -ARK (ONG ,EARNING ,ESSONS BY 4 *ASUDASEN &OUR $AYS IN -AY BY %DWARD ,EE -&! IN THE S BY ,IN #HUNG 9ING 4HE /THER ,EGENDS BY /NG +ENG 9ONG #HAMPIONING 3INGAPORE BY 2AYMOND 7ONG ,ANGUAGE #ULTURE AND (ISTORY AS 4OOLS OF THE 4RADE BY 7ALTER 7OON
!-
YJJ 5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
0ART .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADORS
"REAKING 0ROTOCOL BY #HUA 9ONG (AI -EN AND 7OMEN OF /UR &OREIGN 3ERVICE ! $EDICATION BY 0HILIP %NG $IPLOMACY 3INGAPORE 3TYLE BY "RIAN ,EE &ROM "USINESS TO $IPLOMACY BY 6ICTOR ,OH $RINKING THE 7INE OF +INGS (AVING A +ING FOR A &RIEND BY .G 3ER -IANG 2UMINATIONS OF A .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR BY 0ANG #HENG ,IAN ! "USINESSMAN IN $IPLOMACY BY 'OPINATH 0ILLAI "UILDING 'OODWILL #HARTING .EW #OURSE BY 4AN +AH (OE
!NNEX ) -ILESTONES OF 3INGAPORES %XTERNAL 2ELATIONS FROM !UGUST n-AY
NNEX )) ,IST OF #OUNTRIES WITH WHICH 3INGAPORE ! HAS $IPLOMATIC 2ELATIONS
)NDEX
CONTENTINDD
!-
!CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
7E WOULD LIKE TO THANK 0RESIDENT 3 2 .ATHAN FOR INSPIRING US TO CO EDIT THIS BOOK 4HE 0RESIDENT HAS BEEN VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE BOOK (E SAW US ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND GAVE US GOOD ADVICE (E WAS ALSO THE lRST PERSON TO SEND IN HIS ESSAY 7E WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER 3 *AYAKUMAR FOR HIS EXCELLENT ESSAY TO -INISTER 'EORGE 9EO FOR HIS &OREWORD AND OUR COLLEAGUES AT THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS PARTICULARLY -R 0ETER (O -R "ILAHARI +AUSIKAN -R ,EE #HIONG 'IAM $R 4AN ,IAN #HOO -R ,IM #HENG (OE -R +OH 4IN &OOK AND THEIR COLLEAGUES AND ESPECIALLY TO -S ,ILY .G FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT FOR THIS BOOK -S ,AU 3IEW +HENG DESERVES A SPECIAL MENTION AS SHE HAS WORKED VERY HARD TO COMPILE THE lRST COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THE MILESTONES OF 3INGAPORES EXTERNAL RELATIONS 7E WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR CONTRIBUTORS FOR SHARING THEIR STORIES REmECTIONS AND THE LESSONS LEARNT 7E HOPE THAT THEIR STORIES WILL BE OF INTEREST TO OUR YOUNGER DIPLOMATS 7E ALSO HOPE THAT THE BOOK WILL lND A LARGER READERSHIP BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE 3INGAPORE /UR GRATITUDE ALSO GOES TO OUR COLLEAGUES AT THE )NSTITUTE OF 0OLICY 3TUDIES INCLUDING -R !RUN -AHIZHNAN -S )RENE ,IM -S !lZA (ASHIM -R !DRIAN 4AN *UAN 3AN AND IN PARTICULAR -S #ECILIA +UEK FOR THEIR HELP IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS BOOK YJJJ
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSINDD
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7E ARE GRATEFUL TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE -R "ARRY $ESKER -R "ILAHARI +AUSIKAN -R + +ESAVAPANY -R +ISHORE -AHBUBANI AND 0ROF 0ANG %NG &ONG 7E WISH TO THANK OUR PUBLISHER $R + + 0HUA AND OUR EFlCIENT EDITOR -S *ULIET ,EE OF 7ORLD 3CIENTIlC 0UBLISHING FOR DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB IN SPITE OF THE TIME PRESSURE 4OMMY +OH #HANG ,I ,IN -AY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSINDD
!-
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!IRPORTS !SSOCIATION #OUNCIL )NTERNATIONAL !FRICAN !SIAN 0EOPLES 3OLIDARITY /RGANISATION !3%!. "RUSSELS #OMMITTEE !SSOCIATION OF "ANKS OF 3INGAPORE !3%!. #HINA &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT !0%# %CONOMIC ,EADERS -EETING !3%!. %# -INISTERIAL -EETING !3%!. &REE 4RADE !REA !SIA -IDDLE %AST $IALOGUE !FRICAN .ATIONAL #ONGRESS !GREEMENT BETWEEN .EW :EALAND AND 3INGAPORE ON A #LOSER %CONOMIC 0ARTNERSHIP !SIA 0ACIlC %CONOMIC #OOPERATION !3%!. 2EGIONAL &ORUM !SSOCIATION OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN .ATIONS !SIA %UROPE &OUNDATION !SIA %UROPE -EETING
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#$! #%#! #%$!7 #%% #%0! #(/'- #)$ #/# #0- #00 #04 #2#
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,IST OF !BBREVIATIONINDD
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&RAMEWORK !GREEMENT &ORUM OF %AST !SIA ,ATIN !MERICA #OOPERATION &AR %ASTERN %CONOMIC 2EVIEW &ORUM ON 3MALL 3TATES &IVE 0OWERS $EFENCE !RRANGEMENT &OREIGN 3ERVICE /FlCER &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT
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'ENERAL !GREEMENT ON 4ARIFFS AND 4RADE 'ENERAL 3YSTEM OF 0REFERENCE
(- (/- (2(
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,IST OF !BBREVIATIONINDD
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,IST OF !BBREVIATIONINDD
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,IST OF !BBREVIATIONINDD
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,IST OF !BBREVIATIONINDD
0-
)NTRODUCTION
7E WERE INSPIRED BY THREE THINGS IN CONCEPTUALIZING THIS BOOK &IRST WE WERE INSPIRED BY THE EXCELLENT BOOK OF STORIES BY %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARDS %$" PIONEERS AND VETERANS (EART 7ORK ABLY EDITED BY OUR GOOD FRIEND #HAN #HIN "OCK 4HE STORIES RECOUNT THE REMARKABLE SUCCESSES OF %$" IN BRINGING INVESTMENT TECHNOLOGY AND JOBS TO 3INGAPORE 4HE %$"S MISSION IS CLEAR AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY THE PEOPLE ) SUSPECT THAT MOST 3INGAPOREANS ARE NOT QUITE SURE OF THE MISSION OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! AND WHAT OUR DIPLOMATS DO FOR A LIVING 7E WANTED TO EDIT A BOOK SIMILAR TO (EART 7ORK TO TELL THE -&! STORY 3ECOND WE WERE INSPIRED BY A REUNION DINNER WHICH 0RESIDENT AND -RS 3 2 .ATHAN HAD HOSTED AT THE )STANA FOR -&!S SENIOR OFlCERS AND ITS ALUMNI 3OME OF THE VETERANS AT THE DINNER WERE GETTING ON IN YEARS )NDEED A FEW HAD PASSED AWAY $URING THE CONVIVIAL EVENING MANY WAR STORIES WERE TOLD AND MANY HAPPY MEMORIES OF CHALLENGES OVERCOME CAMPAIGNS WON AND SHARED TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS WERE RECALLED )N HIS OFF THE CUFF REMARKS $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER *AYAKUMAR SUGGESTED THAT IF ) 4OMMY COULD lND THE TIME ) SHOULD TRY TO WRITE DOWN THESE WAR STORIES ESPECIALLY THE INSIGHTS GAINED AND LESSONS LEARNT IN ORDER TO PASS THEM ON TO THE NEXT GENERATIONS )NSTEAD OF WRITING THE BOOK MYSELF ) DECIDED TO WRITE TO ALL THOSE WHO WERE AT THE 0RESIDENTS DINNER AS WELL AS TO SENIOR COLLEAGUES ABROAD TO CONTRIBUTE AN ESSAY EACH TO A VOLUME WHICH YYJ
INTRODUCTIONINDD
!-
YYJJ 5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
MY COLLEAGUE AT THE )NSTITUTE OF 0OLICY 3TUDIES )03 #HANG ,I ,IN AND ) WOULD CO EDIT )T IS A PITY THAT -&! HAS NO HISTORIAN TO RECORD THE -INISTRYS KEY MILESTONES ITS MAJOR CHALLENGES AND RESPONSES ITS MOST SIGNIlCANT SUCCESSES AND FAILURES AND ITS MOST IMPORTANT INITIATIVES AND NEGOTIATIONS .O IMPORTANT NATIONAL INSTITUTION SHOULD BE WITHOUT ITS INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY 4HIS BOOK IS A MODEST ATTEMPT TO lLL THAT LACUNA 4HIRD IS 3INGAPORES FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY 7E WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THIS BOOK TO OUR NATION AS A BIRTHDAY PRESENT 7E LOOK BACK ON 3INGAPORES EXTERNAL RELATIONS IN THE LAST YEARS WITH CONSIDERABLE PRIDE AND SATISFACTION .O ONE COULD HAVE IMAGINED IN AT THE TIME OF OUR NATIONS BIRTH THAT YEARS LATER THIS SMALL ISLAND NATION WOULD BECOME A STABLE PEACEFUL PROSPEROUS AND RESPECTED MEMBER OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY 4HE STORIES IN THIS BOOK WILL HELP THE READERS TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE MEN AND WOMEN OF -&! HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF 3INGAPORES RELATIONS WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD 4OMMY +OH #HANG ,I ,IN
INTRODUCTIONINDD
!-
0ART
4HE 0RESIDENTS
DIVIDER?PART INDD
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-AKING &RIENDS 4HE LATE 0RESIDENT 7%% +IM 7EE WAS FROM A HUMBLE STATION IN LIFE STARTING OUT AS A CLERK IN THE 3TRAITS 4IMES BEFORE BECOMING A REPORTER (E ALSO WORKED FOR THE 5NITED 0RESS !SSOCIATION AND WAS ITS #HIEF #ORRESPONDENT IN THE S !FTER HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN JOURNALISM HE BECAME A DIPLOMAT (E SERVED AS THE (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO -ALAYSIA FROM TO AND AS !MBASSADOR TO *APAN FROM TO (E WAS ALSO A -EMBER OF THE 3INGAPORE DELEGATION TO THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY IN &OR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO -ALAYSIA A POST HE HELD FOR SEVEN YEARS HE WAS AWARDED THE -ERITORIOUS 3ERVICE -EDAL IN !FTER RETIRING FROM THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE IN HE TOOK UP A NEW POST AS #HAIRMAN OF THE THEN 3INGAPORE "ROADCASTING #ORPORATION )N HE BECAME 0RESIDENT (E WON THE HEARTS OF 3INGAPOREANS WHO CALLED HIM THE 0EOPLES 0RESIDENT )N 3EPTEMBER HE RETIRED FROM THE 0RESIDENCY BUT REMAINED ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY WORK AFTER RETIREMENT -UCH LOVED BY 3INGAPOREANS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE $R 7EE PASSED AWAY ON -AY AND WAS ACCORDED A STATE FUNERAL
HY ARE PEOPLE SO TOUCHY SO SENSITIVE AND COMBATIVE MY GRANDDAUGHTER WONDERS 3HE MEETS PEOPLE EMBROILED IN BIG AND SMALL SQUABBLES IN HER JOB AND THIS ESSAY IS ATTEMPTED AT HER BEHEST ) AM NO EXPERT ) HAVE NOTHING TO QUALIFY ME TO ANSWER THE QUESTION EXCEPT EXPERIENCE ) AM MERELY COUNTING ON WHAT ) HAVE DONE TO TRY AND WIN FRIENDS IN MY LIFE !BOUT HALF A CENTURY AGO THERE WAS THE $ALE #ARNEGIE COURSE ON h7INNING &RIENDS AND )NmUENCING 0EOPLEv )N 3INGAPORE ) PERSONALLY KNEW ABOUT A DOZEN PEOPLE WHO HAD GRADUATED FROM THE COURSE ) WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THEIR POISE AND THEIR BEARING AND HOW THEY CONDUCTED THEMSELVES "UT THE COST OF THE COURSE WAS QUITE FORMIDABLE AND ONLY THOSE WITH DEEP POCKETS COULD AFFORD TO TAKE IT
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) WAS THEN IN MY S .OW ALMOST YEARS DOWN THE ROAD ) HAVE LEARNT A FEW THINGS A FEW LESSONS A FEW POINTERS THAT ALL GO TO MAKE UP AN ART IF YOU LIKE THE ART OF MAKING FRIENDS ) BELIEVE THAT THIS hARTv IS EITHER IN YOU OR IT CAN BE LEARNT THE HARD WAY 7HILE THE FORMER IS SOMETHING THAT ALL OF US WOULD WISH TO HAVE THE LATTER IS SOMETHING THAT MOST OF US HAVE TO WORK AT TILL OUR VERY LAST DAY ) BELONG TO THE LATTER GROUP ) AM STILL LEARNING PICKING UP A THING OR TWO THROUGH PRINTED SOURCES TALKING TO PEOPLE DOING SOME hEXPERIMENTSv AND LEARNING BY TRIAL AND ERROR (OW TO WIN FRIENDS 4HE lRST KEY QUESTION IS TO ASK YOURSELF WHETHER YOU WISH TO WIN FRIENDS THROUGH YOUR SPECIAL EFFORTS OR WHETHER YOU WOULD RATHER JUST SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN )F YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT NEED TO HAVE MANY FRIENDS AND YOU WOULD RATHER HAVE JUST A FEW VERY SELECTIVE ONES THEN YOU SHOULD NOT TRY TO WIN FRIENDS 4HERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEIR PRIVACY AND SOLITUDE AND WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE TO DO THEIR OWN THING 4HERE IS NOTHING WRONG IN THIS )T IS YOUR LIFE )T IS YOUR WISH .O ONE SHOULD TRY AND INmUENCE YOU OTHERWISE "Y WORKING AGAINST YOUR CHARACTER AND WISHES YOUR TRUE FEELINGS WILL SHOW 4HERE IS THE STEREOTYPE OF POLITICIANS WHO KISS BABIES AND SLAP CONSTITUENTS ON THE SHOULDERS 4HIS WOULD BE COUNTER PRODUCTIVE TODAY AS TELEVISION WILL SHOW THE PLAY ACTING ALL TOO CLEARLY )T IS ALSO TRUE THAT WE CANNOT LIVE OUR LIVES WITHOUT SOME FORM OF HYPOCRISY BUT WE CAN KEEP THIS TO THE MINIMUM /N THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN IF YOU TRULY WANT TO HAVE FRIENDS AND AS MANY AS YOU CAN GATHER THEN YOU MUST MAKE THE EFFORT AND YOU MUST BE SINCERE 9OU MUST LIKE PEOPLE .OT JUST PEOPLE WITH MATERIAL SOCIAL OR POLITICAL POWER BUT PEOPLE IN GENERAL 4HEN AND ONLY THEN WILL YOU LEARN NEW THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF AND FROM THOSE YOU MEET 4HE JOY AND WARM FEELINGS YOU GAIN WILL COME IN ABUNDANCE 9OU WILL FEEL RICH 9OU WILL ALWAYS FEEL A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS
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THOUGH YOU MAY NOT HAVE MUCH BY WAY OF MONETARY WEALTH 9OUR WEALTH WILL BE IN YOUR FRIENDSHIPS ) HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT WE SHOULD NOT BOTHER WHAT THE *ONESES NEXT DOOR HAVE 4HEY MAY BE MILLIONAIRES OR BILLIONAIRES 7E CAN STILL BE HAPPY AND CONTENTED WITH HAVING ENOUGH TO KEEP OURSELVES GOING WITHOUT NEEDING TO OPEN OUR PALMS TO BEG !S AN OCTOGENARIAN ) SPEAK WITH CONVICTION THAT WE SHOULD TRY AND LIVE A FULL LIFE NOT NECESSARILY A RICH MATERIAL LIFE JUST A FULL LIFE !ND ONE CANNOT LIVE A FULL LIFE IF ONE CANNOT WIN FRIENDS )F YOU WANT TO LIVE A HERMITS LIFE THEN YOU WILL HAVE THE LOT OF A HERMIT ) CANNOT DO BETTER THAN TO GIVE A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW THIS OBJECTIVE CAN BE ACHIEVED ) VISITED %NGLAND IN THE EARLY S -Y FRIEND $R # * 0OH FORMER 0RESIDENT OF THE 3INGAPORE 2ED #ROSS 3OCIETY TELEPHONED ME WHEN HE FOUND OUT ) WAS IN ,ONDON (E INVITED ME TO VISIT HIM AND GAVE ME DIRECTIONS TO HIS HOUSE 3O WITH A LAWYER FRIEND AT THE WHEEL 3OK (IONG AND ) TRAVELLED TO %DINBURGH 7E DROVE AROUND THE 3COTTISH CITY IN CIRCLES AND COULD NOT lND $R 0OHS HOUSE ) HAD NOT ASKED HIM FOR HIS TELEPHONE NUMBER 7E WERE LOST 7E lNALLY STOPPED TWO YOUTHS AND ASKED FOR DIRECTIONS PROVIDING THE NAME OF $R 0OH AND HIS 3COTTISH WIFE /NE OF THEM SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A #HINESE GENTLEMAN KNOWN AS THE h+ING OF +INGHORNv 5NLIKELY TO BE $R 0OH ) THOUGHT BUT THE YOUTHS SAID IT WAS WORTH A TRY 4HEY GOT INTO OUR CAR AND LED US TO THE HOUSE !T THE PORCH WAITING WITH HIS ARMS AKIMBO WAS $R 0OH 7E WERE MUCH DELAYED AND HE WAS WONDERING WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO US !FTER THANKING THE YOUNG MEN ) ASKED $R 0OH WHY HE WAS KNOWN AS THE h+ING OF +INGHORNv (E LAUGHED AND SAID HE LIVED IN THE DISTRICT OF +INGHORN (E HOSTED A BUFFET LUNCH OF 3INGAPORE FOOD ONCE A MONTH AND INVITED ABOUT TO PEOPLE TO EACH PARTY )N LESS THAN A YEAR HE SAID EVERY SINGLE HOUSEHOLD IN THE DISTRICT WAS COVERED AND HE WAS GIVEN THE MONIKER
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7HAT CAN WE LEARN FROM $R 0OHS STORY &IRSTLY HE SO MUCH WANTED TO HAVE AS MANY FRIENDS AS HE COULD AMONG THE PEOPLE OF HIS AREA SECONDLY HE WENT ALL THE WAY WITH EXOTIC 3INGAPORE FOOD TO SHOW HIS HOSPITALITY )T WORKED %ASY 4WO YEARS LATER ) BOUGHT A TERRACE HOUSE IN #HARLTON FOR MY TWO DAUGHTERS STUDYING IN ,ONDON ) WAS UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT THEIR HAVING TO MOVE ABOUT LIKE GYPSIES OWING TO THE INmUX OF FOREIGN STUDENTS THAT CAUSED A SATURATION OF ALL BOARDING HOUSES IN THE #ITY 3OK (IONG AND ) VISITED OUR DAUGHTERS A YEAR AFTER THEY MOVED TO #HARLTON AND FOUND THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW THEIR IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOUR ) WAS WORRIED 7HAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR HAD AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS EMERGENCY 7E DECIDED TO PUT THE SITUATION RIGHT ) THOUGHT OF $R # * 0OHS FORMULA 7E PLANNED THREE BUFFET DINNERS IN THREE WEEKS ) WENT TO 3ELFRIDGES AND BOUGHT THE FOOD -RS 7EE DID THE COOKING 7E INVITED ALL NEIGHBOURS OVER 7E GOT TO KNOW THEM IN FACT WE BECAME CLOSE FRIENDS WITH SOME !T ONE OF THESE FUNCTIONS ) MENTIONED THE NEED TO HAVE THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE PAINTED ACCORDING TO #OUNCIL REGULATIONS /NE OF OUR NEIGHBOURS SAID WE ONLY NEEDED TO GO DOWN THE HILL AND BUY THE PAINT (E WOULD DO THE REST (OW WAS THAT (E SAID HE WAS A DOCKER AND HIS JOB WAS TO PAINT SHIPS (E HAD ALL THE PARAPHERNALIA ) BUY THE PAINT HE WOULD DO THE REST (E DID A MARVELLOUS JOB ) OFFERED HIM A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION WHICH HE REFUSED 7HAT ARE FRIENDS FOR HE ASKED )NDEED 4HE BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT $R 0OH DID AT +INGHORN AND WHAT WE DID AT #HARLTON WORKED WONDERFULLY TO WIN FRIENDS )N WHEN ) COVERED THE 3ECOND !SIAN 'AMES IN -ANILA ) READ IN THE NEWSPAPERS THAT 0RESIDENT -AGSAYSAY HAD MADE IT A REGULAR PROGRAMME TO HAVE BREAKFAST WITH TAXI DRIVERS WHO HAD DONE SERVICE FOR THE COUNTRY THOSE WHO HAD HELPED TOURISTS WITH LOST ARTICLES AND OTHER PUBLIC SPIRITED ACTS
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)T WAS A SMALL ITEM BUT IT CAUGHT MY JOURNALIST EYE )N THE lRST FEW DAYS AFTER TAKING OFlCE AS 0RESIDENT OF 3INGAPORE IN ) REMEMBERED THE STORY VIVIDLY )F THE 0RESIDENT OF THE 0HILIPPINES IN COULD TAKE TIME TO HAVE BREAKFAST WITH TAXI DRIVERS ) THOUGHT SURELY ) COULD DO THE SAME AND MORE ) INTRODUCED A SIMILAR PROGRAMME VERY SOON AFTERWARDS -Y GUESTS AT THE )STANA INCLUDED TAXI DRIVERS 05" METER READERS POSTMEN AND ANY OTHER ORDINARY 3INGAPOREANS WHO HAD DONE PUBLIC SERVICE THAT HAD CAUGHT THE EYE OF THE NEWS MEDIA 4HEY WERE ALL INVITED TO THE )STANA FOR MORNING COFFEE OR AFTERNOON TEA 7E HAD PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN WHICH ) AUTOGRAPHED AND SENT TO THEM AS SOUVENIRS ) IMPOSED A PRESS BLACKOUT ON THE PROGRAMME ) DID NOT WANT ANY PUBLICITY WHATSOEVER 4HE hBANv WAS BREACHED ONLY ONCE IN EIGHT YEARS #OMFORT 4AXIS IN HOUSE JOURNAL PUBLISHED A BIG ARTICLE OF ONE SUCH TEA AFTER ITS EDITOR LEARNT ABOUT IT FROM A TAXI DRIVER WHO WHEN ASKING FOR A DAYS LEAVE TOLD THE COMPANY HE WAS THE 0RESIDENTS GUEST -RS 7EE AND ) HAVE STAYED SEVEN YEARS IN +UALA ,UMPUR THREE AND A HALF YEARS IN 4OKYO AND HAVE ALSO SOJOURNED IN .EW :EALAND AND !USTRALIA 7E HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM GETTING TO KNOW OUR NEIGHBOURS VERY QUICKLY .OT JUST THROUGH FOOD AND WINE BUT BY MAKING THE EFFORT TO PROFFER OUR HANDS IN FRIENDSHIP )T NEVER FAILED )N -ELBOURNE WHEN WE ARRIVED TO STAY WITH OUR DAUGHTER AND SON IN LAW WE WERE TOLD THAT THEIR NEIGHBOUR WAS GRUMPY "UT WHY 7E SAID hHELLOv TO HIM IN THE MORNING AND MADE SMALL TALK ACROSS THE FENCE )N A VERY SHORT TIME WE WERE INVITED FOR TEA !ND DURING TEA THE WIFE LEARNT THAT ) HAD A NECK PROBLEM DUE TO SPONDYLITIS 4WO DAYS LATER SHE GAVE ME A PEANUT SHAPED PILLOW WHICH SHE SAID HAD HELPED HER HUSBAND WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM 3HE SEWED IT HERSELF /NE NIGHT IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING OUR NEIGHBOUR SUFFERED A STROKE 4HE WIFE RUSHED OVER SEEKING HELP -Y SON IN LAW
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RUSHED HIM TO HOSPITAL (E WAS SAVED 4HIS IS WHAT A FRIEND AND A NEIGHBOUR CAN DO AND SHOULD DO BUT THE ICE HAS TO BE BROKEN )F PEOPLE WAIT FOR EACH OTHER TO MAKE THE lRST MOVE THE WORLD WOULD BE A COLD PLACE TO LIVE IN 7E NEED TO WIN FRIENDS NOT JUST ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL BUT AT ALL OTHER LEVELS INCLUDING NATIONAL REGIONAL AND EVEN INTERNATIONAL SPHERES 4HE ALTERNATIVE IS THAT WE LIVE IN A SAD UNFRIENDLY WORLD
4HIS ESSAY WAS lRST PUBLISHED IN THE BOOK WRITTEN BY $R 7EE +IM 7EE 'LIMPSES AND 2EmECTIONS ,ANDMARK "OOKS 0HOTO SOURCE © 3INGAPORE 0RESS (OLDINGS ,TD "OTH THE ESSAY AND PHOTO ARE REPRODUCED IN THIS VOLUME WITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF THE %XECUTORS AND 4RUSTEES OF THE %STATE OF $R 7EE +IM 7EE #OPYRIGHT IN THE REPRODUCED ESSAY IS RESERVED BY THE %STATE
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-Y &OREIGN -INISTRY 9EARS 0RESIDENT 3 2 .!4(!. BEGAN HIS CAREER IN THE 3INGAPORE #IVIL 3ERVICE AS A MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER IN )N HE WAS SECONDED TO THE ,ABOUR 2ESEARCH 5NIT OF THE ,ABOUR -OVEMENT AND BECAME $IRECTOR OF THE 5NIT IN )N $ECEMBER HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE &OREIGN -INISTRY (E lRST SERVED AS !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY AND ROSE TO $EPUTY 3ECRETARY BEFORE BEING APPOINTED AS !CTING 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY OF THE -INISTRY OF (OME !FFAIRS IN (E THEN MOVED TO THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE AS A $IRECTOR WITH THE RANK OF 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY )N HE RETURNED TO THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND BECAME ITS &IRST 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY UNTIL WHEN HE LEFT TO BECOME THE %XECUTIVE #HAIRMAN OF THE 3TRAITS 4IMES 0RESS ,TD )N HE WAS APPOINTED 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO -ALAYSIA AND IN BECAME !MBASSADOR TO THE 5NITED 3TATES OF !MERICA WHERE HE SERVED UNTIL 5PON HIS RETURN HE WAS MADE !MBASSADOR !T ,ARGE AND WAS CONCURRENTLY $IRECTOR OF THE )NSTITUTE OF $EFENCE AND 3TRATEGIC 3TUDIES /N !UGUST HE WAS ELECTED 0RESIDENT OF THE 2EPUBLIC OF 3INGAPORE (E WAS CONFERRED THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE 3TAR IN THE 0UBLIC !DMINISTRATION -EDAL 3ILVER IN AND THE -ERITORIOUS 3ERVICE -EDAL IN
/NE %XPERIENCE 4HREE #HALLENGES IKE SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! ) CAME TO THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED -INISTRY WITHOUT ANY PRIOR DIPLOMATIC TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE "EFORE JOINING ) HAD ONE EXPOSURE TO INTERNATIONAL POLITICS DURING MY DAYS WITH THE .ATIONAL 4RADES 5NION #ONGRESS .45# 4HIS SUBSEQUENTLY SERVED ME WELL IN THE -INISTRY )T WAS FROM THIS EXPERIENCE THAT ) LEARNT ABOUT THE COMPLEXITIES OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS PARTICULARLY !FRO !SIAN RADICAL POLITICS )T CAME FROM THE !LGIERS #ONFERENCE OF THE !FRO !SIAN 0EOPLES 3OLIDARITY /RGANISATION !!03/ WHICH ) ATTENDED TOGETHER WITH THE LATE 7AN +IN #HEONG
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4HE SECOND CHALLENGE ) UNDERWENT WAS WHILE WORKING IN THE -&! FROM $ECEMBER TO *ANUARY 4HIS CHALLENGE WAS ABOUT lNDING A WAY TO WORK THE FOREIGN POLICY MAKING PROCESS WHICH WAS DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL #IVIL 3ERVICE PRACTICES 4HE PROCESS AND SPEED WITH WHICH MATTERS HAD TO BE HANDLED WERE SUCH THAT THE TRADITIONAL #IVIL 3ERVICE METHOD OF FOLLOWING THE STRICT CHAIN OF COMMAND WAS UNWORKABLE GIVEN THE UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS TO BE FACED IN BILATERAL REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS WITH MANY DECISIONS HAVING TO BE MADE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AT THE HIGHEST POLITICAL LEVELS 4HE THIRD CHALLENGE WHICH TOOK PLACE IN WAS WHEN ) WAS WITH THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE )T WAS RELATED TO THE HANDLING OF THE lNAL PHASE OF THE h,AJUv HIJACK INCIDENT THAT BEGAN IN 3INGAPORE AND ENDED IN +UWAIT -Y &OREIGN -INISTRY EXPERIENCE TAUGHT ME TO KEEP MY COOL AND USE MY DIPLOMATIC SKILLS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE
"APTISM OF &IRE IN !LGIERS 4HIS TOOK PLACE WHILE 3INGAPORE WAS PART OF -ALAYSIA "EFORE LEAVING FOR THE !LGIERS #ONFERENCE IN -ARCH!PRIL ) WAS FOREWARNED OF THE FACT THAT THE #ONFERENCE ORGANISATION WAS DOMINATED BY RADICAL !FRO !SIAN POLITICAL GROUPS WHO WERE EITHER AFlLIATED TO THE PRO 3OVIET OR PRO #HINESE #OMMUNIST 0ARTIES IN THOSE COUNTRIES AND OTHERS WHO COULD BE CLASSIlED AS hFELLOW TRAVELLERSv !S 3INGAPORE WAS THEN PART OF -ALAYSIA MY COLLEAGUE AND ) WERE ATTENDING AS PART OF THE -ALAYSIAN DELEGATION THAT WAS THEN JUST APPLYING FOR MEMBERSHIP OF !!03/ /UR BRIEF WAS TO WORK WITH THE -ALAYSIAN DELEGATION FOR THEIR ADMISSION "EING CONSCIOUS OF THE DOMINANCE OF THE )NDONESIAN #OMMUNIST 0ARTY 0+) IN THE !!03/ 3ECRETARIAT AND THEIR INmUENCE ON THE RADICAL !FRO !SIAN DELEGATES IN THE ORGANISATION THERE WAS THE DANGER THAT THE -ALAYSIAN APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP WOULD NOT EVEN BE ABLE TO REACH THE #ONFERENCE AGENDA
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3TRONG OPPOSITION FROM )NDONESIA AND DELEGATIONS SYMPATHETIC TOWARDS )NDONESIAS STAND THAT h-ALAYSIAv WAS A NEO COLONIALIST PLOT WAS A SERIOUS PROBABILITY 4HE FALLBACK POSITION FOR ME AND MY COLLEAGUE WAS TO KEEP THE 3INGAPORE IDENTITY ALIVE AND TO MAKE A PITCH FOR 3INGAPORES EARLIER APPLICATION WHICH HAD BEEN MADE AT THE PREVIOUS YEARS #ONFERENCE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL BY THE #ONFERENCE 4HIS STRATEGY HAD BEEN CLEARED WITH -ALAYSIA WHO PREFERRED FOR EITHER APPLICATION TO BE SUCCESSFUL
(OSTILE 2ECEPTION !RRIVING FOR THE #ONFERENCE IN !LGIERS ) HAD THE lRST TASTE OF HOSTILITY AT THE AIRPORT ITSELF ) WAS EVEN ABUSED BY THE LEADER OF THE :ANZIBAR DELEGATION (E TOOK STRONG UMBRAGE TO h-ALAYSIAv AND ITS DELEGATION 4HIS HOSTILITY CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE #ONFERENCE (E ALSO ENCOURAGED OTHER RADICAL !FRICAN DELEGATES TO TAUNT ME WITH THE 0+) !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL )BRAHIM )SSA ENCOURAGING THEM BEHIND THE SCENE &ACED WITH THIS ) WAS SOMEWHAT DEPRESSED NOT KNOWING HOW BEST TO REACT 4WO DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE #ONFERENCE ENCOURAGED ME &IRST ) FOUND SOME RADICAL !FRICAN DELEGATES PARTICULARLY THE !.# AND A FEW OTHERS NOT UNFAVOURABLY DISPOSED TO THE MENTION OF h3INGAPOREv 4HE SECOND DEVELOPMENT WAS MY ENCOUNTER WITH THE THEN %DUCATION -INISTER OF 4ANGANYIKA NOW PART OF 4ANZANIA WHO HAVING OBSERVED MY DEPRESSED BODY LANGUAGE CAME TO lND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG 7HEN ) TOLD HIM HOW ) WAS BEING ABUSED AND TAUNTED HE SPENT SOME TIME EDUCATING ME ABOUT THE NATURE OF !FRICAN POLITICS AND HOW NOT TO BE COWED BY SUCH MISBEHAVIOUR (E ALSO WARNED ME THAT THE -ALAYSIAN LABEL WAS DOOMED TO FAIL BECAUSE OF THE STRONG )NDONESIAN INmUENCE AMONG THE !FRICANS (E SUGGESTED THAT ) MAINTAIN THE 3INGAPORE IDENTITY AND TRY TO WIN FRIENDS AND INmUENCE AMONG THE !FRICAN DELEGATES HOWEVER HOSTILE THEY MIGHT APPEAR
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!FRICAN 0OLITICS &ROM MY CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM ) LEARNT ABOUT THE DIFFERENT POWER CENTRES OF !FRICA AND THEIR DIFFERENT AND CONmICTING INTERESTS DESPITE THE UNIlED FRONT THEY SHOWED (E ADVISED ME TO BE THICK SKINNED AND IGNORE ANY UNCIVIL BEHAVIOUR ON THE PART OF SOME DELEGATES AND SUGGESTED THAT ) MOVED AGGRESSIVELY AMONG THE !FRICANS AND WIN THEIR FRIENDSHIP ) WAS GRATEFUL FOR THIS ADVICE AND FOLLOWED IT DURING THE FOUR DAY #ONFERENCE ) WAS SURPRISED TO lND SO MANY OF THE !FRO !SIAN DELEGATES EVEN FROM #OMMUNIST CAMPS WARM AND FRIENDLY TOWARDS 3INGAPORE )N THE END WITH THE HELP OF THE !FRICANS WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE 3INGAPORE APPLICATION BROUGHT UP FOR CONSULTATION 4HE #ONFERENCE SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDED THAT BOTH THE -ALAYSIAN AND 3INGAPORE APPLICATIONS BE CONSIDERED BY THE FOLLOWING YEARS !!03/ #ONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN 'HANA
,ESSONS FROM THIS )NCIDENT ) LEARNT FROM THIS EXPERIENCE THE REALITIES OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS AND HOW NOT TO BE TAKEN IN BY THE HIGH SOUNDING RHETORIC OF hBROTHERHOODv hSOLIDARITYv AND DISPLAY OF UNITY ) ALSO LEARNT HOW TO DISCERN CONmICTING INTERESTS THAT PREVAIL AMONG DELEGATIONS THOUGH THEY ESPOUSED COMMON SENTIMENTS AND INTERESTS )N THE COURSE OF LOBBYING AND WITH THE HELP OF FRIENDLY DELEGATIONS ) LEARNT HOW TO FERRET OUT SUCH DIFFERENCES AND SEEK A COMMON CAUSE WITH THOSE WHO SHARED SIMILAR INTERESTS WITH US ON PARTICULAR ISSUES ) LEARNT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MARSHAL BEFOREHAND BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ISSUES THAT WOULD COME UP FOR DELIBERATION AND THE STANDING THEREON BY DIFFERENT DELEGATIONS 3UCH BACKGROUND INFORMATION CAN GO A LONG WAY TO HELP ONE DISCERN WHO OUR FRIENDS AND ADVERSARIES ARE AND HOW TO WIN THEM OVER FOR PARTICULAR CAUSES AND ISSUES EVEN
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THOUGH WE MAY DIFFER ON OTHERS ON IDEOLOGICAL GROUNDS ) GAINED PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN MANOEUVRING MY WAY THROUGH POLITICAL LAND MINES AND THROUGH THE OFTEN CONmICTUAL ENVIRONMENT OF !FRO !SIAN POLITICAL GATHERINGS
!T THE &OREIGN -INISTRY 4HE SECOND CHALLENGE ) ENCOUNTERED WAS DURING MY STINT IN THE -&! FOLLOWING MY POSTING IN $ECEMBER ) WENT INTO THE JOB WITHOUT ANY IDEA OF THE KIND OF TASKS THAT ) WAS EXPECTED TO UNDERTAKE .EITHER DID ) HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW FOREIGN MINISTRIES WERE ORGANISED AND WORKED 7HEN ) SAW THE &OREIGN -INISTER AND SOUGHT HIS GUIDANCE ALL HE SAID WAS h$ONT WORRY )T WILL ALL COME NATURALLYv "Y THE TIME THE -INISTRY BEGAN TO FUNCTION WITH THE RETURN OF THE &OREIGN -INISTER AND THE 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY FROM THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY WHERE THEY HAD GONE TO SECURE 3INGAPORES MEMBERSHIP THE -INISTRY WAS WORKING WITH A HANDFUL OF OFlCERS lVE IN THE 0OLITICAL 3ECTION OF WHOM THREE WERE NEW GRADUATES AND WITH A SHOESTRING BUDGET TIGHTLY CONTROLLED BY THE -INISTRY OF &INANCE !S A MEMBER OF THE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE THERE BEING NO &OREIGN 3ERVICE UNTIL WELL INTO THE S ) HAD ASSUMED THAT MY AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY WOULD BE IN THE FORMULATION OF FOREIGN POLICY ) SOON REALISED THAT THE &OREIGN -INISTER DID NOT MAKE hFOREIGN POLICYv )T WAS THE 0RIME -INISTER WHO MADE IT WITH INPUTS FROM THE &OREIGN -INISTER AND HIS OTHER #ABINET COLLEAGUES 4HERE WERE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS TO DO PARTICULARLY ENGAGING FOREIGN DIPLOMATS WHO CALLED AT THE -INISTRY TO SEEK INFORMATION ON DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR RELATIONS WITH -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA AND ALSO OUR STAND ON VARIOUS POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS UNDER CONSIDERATION AT THE 5. AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL FORA
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4HE $AYS "EFORE THE %STABLISHMENT OF THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE $URING THOSE INITIAL MONTHS MY ROLE AND THAT OF MY COLLEAGUES WAS MERELY A SUPPORTIVE ONE DRAFTING 4HIRD 0ERSON .OTES 40.S DRAFTING RESPONSES TO -ALAYSIA WITH POLITICAL DIRECTION FROM THE &OREIGN -INISTER PROCESSING INFORMATIONREQUESTS THAT CAME VIA THE -INISTER ENTERTAINING ENQUIRIES FROM DIPLOMATS OF FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND OTHERWISE ACTING AS DIRECTED BY THE -INISTER ON MATTERS THAT HE WAS DEALING WITH !T THAT TIME THE IMMEDIATE PERIOD FOLLOWING OUR UNANTICIPATED EMERGENCE AS AN INDEPENDENT NATION A CRITICAL DIMENSION OF THE -INISTRYS DAY TO DAY WORK WAS IN ADDRESSING AND RESPONDING TO EXCHANGES BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND -ALAYSIA 7E IN THE -INISTRY BECAME INFORMATION GATHERERS AND THE TRANSMITTERS OF MESSAGES WITHIN GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND TO THE FEW HEADS OF OVERSEAS MISSIONS REPRESENTING 3INGAPORE 4HE WORK mOW WAS DICTATED BY THE -INISTER THROUGH THE 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY WHO FOLLOWED TRADITIONAL !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES $IRECTIONS OR REQUESTS FROM THE -INISTER TO THE 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY WERE INITIALLY TRANSMITTED DOWN A CHAIN OF COMMAND AND VICE VERSA 4HIS SYSTEM OF WORK FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE SPEED WITH WHICH THE -INISTER AND THE 0RIME -INISTER WANTED THEIR REQUESTS AND DIRECTIVES PROCESSED "OTH THE 0RIME -INISTER AND THE &OREIGN -INISTER WERE NOT PREPARED TO LIVE WITH THE TRADITIONALLY SLOW BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS IN THE mOW OF RESPONSE TO THEIR DEMANDS 7ITH SPEED BEING THE CRITICAL DIMENSION OF THE PACE OF WORK THEY SHOWED THEIR IMPATIENCE BY DISREGARDING HIERARCHY IN THE -INISTRY 4HEY RESORTED TO DEALING DIRECTLY WITH INDIVIDUAL OFlCERS WHOM ) SUSPECT THEY CONSIDERED CAPABLE OF SPEEDILY CARRYING OUT THEIR INSTRUCTIONS ) WAS ONE OF THOSE THEY SO INSTRUCTED 4HEY GAVE ME INSTRUCTION ON THE INFORMATION THEY NEEDED AND THE LINES TO TAKE IN DRAFTING THE MESSAGES OR RESPONSES TO COMMUNICATIONS THEY WERE ADDRESSING
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,EARNING FROM THE ,EADERS "Y WORKING WITH THEM DIRECTLY ) BECAME MORE AWARE OF THEIR CONCERNS OVER ISSUES AND THE TENSIONS THEY WERE COPING WITH IN THOSE YEARS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING h3EPARATIONv 4HROUGH SUCH SUPPORTING ROLES ) LEARNT NOT ONLY OF THE NATURE OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING 3INGAPORE BUT ALSO HOW OUR LEADERS WERE ADDRESSING AND RESPONDING TO THEM ) ACQUIRED A FEEL FOR THEIR CONCERNS AND THE WAY THEY THOUGHT AND CHOSE TO RESPOND TO EMERGING OFTEN PRESSING EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MATTERS THAT HAD SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR SECURITY AND OUR SURVIVAL AS A NEWLY INDEPENDENT NATION ) SOON BECAME ONE OF THEIR PRINCIPAL NOTE TAKERS WHEN THEY MET MANY IMPORTANT FOREIGN LEADERS FOREIGN EMISSARIES AND HEADS OF IMPORTANT FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN 3INGAPORE 4HROUGH THESE CONVERSATIONS ) REALISED THAT OUR LEADERS WERE ALERTING FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS ESPECIALLY MAJOR NON #OMMUNIST POWERS OF OUR SITUATION AND THE PREDICAMENTS CONFRONTING 3INGAPORES CONCERNS OVER SECURITY AND SURVIVAL 4HROUGH SUCH MEANS THEY WERE GETTING FRIENDLY NATIONS TO UNDERSTAND OUR SITUATION AND HOPEFULLY MAINTAIN A CONTINUING INTEREST IN 3INGAPORE WITH ITS VULNERABILITIES AND HOW THE LEADERS WERE ACTING TO PRESERVE ITS NEW WON INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY &ROM THAT EXPERIENCE ) WAS BETTER ABLE TO GRASP AND HANDLE ON MY OWN MANY POLITICALLY SENSITIVE MATTERS THAT NEEDED ADDRESSING IN THE -INISTRYS DAY TO DAY WORK )N THE EARLIER YEARS WHEN TENSIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS WERE HIGH ) WAS ABLE TO DRAFT FOR -INISTERIAL APPROVAL 40.S WITH THE MINIMUM OF GUIDANCE USING THE BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ) HAD GATHERED WITNESSING SUCH CONVERSATIONS ) MUST SAY THEY WERE EXHILARATING EXPERIENCES EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SOMETIMES STRESSFUL IN TERMS OF COPING WITH THE DEMANDS AND THE URGENCY WITH WHICH RESULTS WERE EXPECTED AT HIGHER LEVELS OF THE 'OVERNMENTS LEADERSHIP ) SOON REALISED THAT ) WAS WITNESSING THE HISTORY OF INDEPENDENT 3INGAPORE IN THE MAKING AND FELT PROUD AT BEING GIVEN A SMALL ROLE IN IT
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4HE WAY OUR LEADERS DEALT WITH THE POLITICAL PROBLEMS THAT NEEDED THEIR ATTENTION AND THE WAY THEY RESPONDED TO THEIR INTERLOCUTORS WAS AN EXPERIENCE NO BOOK OR COLLEGE COULD HAVE TAUGHT ME )T GAVE ME A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE ROLE ) WAS PLAYING AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE #IVIL 3ERVICE TO NATION BUILDING
2ETURN TO -&! $URING MY lRST STINT IN THE -INISTRY FROM TO ) NOTED MANY SHORTCOMINGS IN OUR DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS 0RESSURES OF COPING WITH EACH DAYS DEMANDS AND THE -INISTRYS STRUGGLE USING ITS LIMITED MANPOWER TO RESPOND WITH URGENCY TO THE DEMANDS OF WORK AT THE -INISTRY AND THE DEMANDS OF OUR mEDGLING OVERSEAS -ISSIONS WERE OUR DAILY CONCERNS 7HILE ) HAD A GRASP OF WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE WORK METHODS AND mOW AND THE QUALITY OF OUR WORK ) COULD DO NOTHING BECAUSE ) WAS WORKING IN AN ESTABLISHED HIERARCHY WHERE IT WAS FOR THE 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MUCH NEEDED ORGANISATIONAL AND WORK PRACTICES 7HEN ) WAS RE POSTED TO THE -INISTRY AS &IRST 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY IN THESE WERE THE ISSUES ) ADDRESSED AND SOUGHT TO REMEDY ) WAS GIVEN THE CLEAR BRIEF BY THE 0RIME -INISTER TO SHAKE UP THE -INISTRY AND TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS AN APPRECIABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF ITS WORK AND SUBMISSIONS TO THE 0RIME -INISTER AND #ABINET ) WAS TOLD THAT MANY A -&! SUBMISSION WAFmED OVER THE SUBJECT MATTER WITHOUT A CLEAR GRASP OF THE ISSUES THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED AND LACKED SOLIDLY BASED RECOMMENDATIONS ) WAS TOLD TO TRY AND ACHIEVE IMPROVEMENTS IN TWO YEARS TIME
/RGANISING THE -INISTRY ) KNEW THAT ) NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF THE PAST ) REMEMBERED HOW POLITICAL WORK IN THE -INISTRY WAS THEN BEING
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HANDLED BY hSECONDEDv OFlCERS FROM TEACHING AND OTHER SERVICES WITH LITTLE OR NO FEEL FOR THE SUBJECTS THEY WERE HANDLING 7ITH THIS INADEQUACY FOR PROCESSING POLITICAL WORK MANY WERE MERELY MARKING TIME IN ANTICIPATION OF AN EARLY OVERSEAS POSTING 7HILE AWAITING A FOREIGN POSTING THESE OFlCERS HARDLY MADE ANY EFFORT TO UPDATE THEMSELVES OR WORK THE lLES THAT CAME TO THEM FOR PROCESSING 7ITH AN EARLY POSTING IN MIND THEY JUST INITIALLED WHAT THEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON FOR lLING 4HEY MUST HAVE RECKONED THAT THE PROBLEMS THEY LEFT BEHIND WOULD BE FOR THEIR SUCCESSORS TO RESOLVE 7HEN COMMUNICATION FROM THE -INISTRYS OVERSEAS MISSIONS BEGAN TO ARRIVE AND WERE PASSED TO THEM THEIR TENDENCY WAS TO INITIAL THE lLES AND PASS THEM ON BELIEVING THAT BY THE TIME ACTION WAS CALLED FOR THEY WOULD BE WELL AWAY IN SOME OVERSEAS POST 4HEY THEREFORE SHOWED NO INTEREST IN COMING TO GRIPS WITH THEIR TASKS AND WERE ONLY PAYING CURSORY ATTENTION TO WORK THAT CAME THEIR WAY EVEN THOUGH FOCUSING THEIR MINDS ON THEM WOULD HAVE GIVEN THESE OFlCERS A BETTER APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES AFFECTING 3INGAPORE AND THE LIKELY IMPLICATIONS FOR 3INGAPORE AND ITS RELATIONS WITH THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED
"UILDING THE #ORE 4EAM 4HE -INISTRYS MANPOWER POLICY WAS STILL ONE FOCUSED ON BEElNG UP THE OVERSEAS MISSIONS AT THE EXPENSE OF STRENGTHENING THE -INISTRY THE NERVE CENTRE FOR THE EFFECTIVE CONDUCT OF DIPLOMACY AND FOR THE TRANSLATION OF ITS FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES ) THEREFORE SAW AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY THE URGENT NEED FOR THE -INISTRY TO DEVELOP A CORE OF OFlCERS WHO COULD BE TRAINED ON THE JOB TO ACQUIRE SKILLS TO HANDLE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC QUESTIONS CONFRONTING THE -INISTRY ) DECIDED TO DELAY THE POSTING OF THOSE WHO CONSTITUTED THIS CORE AND SENT OUT ONLY THOSE WHO WOULD NOT HAVE MADE A CRITICAL DIFFERENCE TO THE WORK IN THE -INISTRY
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"EFORE ) LEFT -&! IN THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE #OMMISSION HAD ALREADY COMMENCED POSTING A NUMBER OF !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE /FlCERS WITH 0OLITICAL 3CIENCE (ISTORY %CONOMICS AND ,IBERAL !RTS QUALIlCATIONS TO THE -INISTRY !MONG THOSE POSTED TO -&! WERE 0RESIDENTS 3CHOLARS LIKE -ARK (ONG 0ETER #HAN "ARRY $ESKER AND OTHER SUITABLY QUALIlED OFlCERS LIKE ,IN #HUNG 9ING -ICHAEL #HEOK AND 4ONY 3IDDIQUE ! FEW MONTHS LATER ANOTHER 0RESIDENTS 3CHOLAR +ISHORE -AHBUBANI ALSO JOINED THE -INISTRY .OT ONLY DID ALL OF THEM COME WITH GOOD SCHOLASTIC QUALIlCATIONS A FEW WERE STUDENT ACTIVISTS ON CAMPUS AND HAD A GOOD SENSE OF LOCAL POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS "Y THE TIME ) RETURNED TO THE -INISTRY IN THIS GROUP OF OFlCERS HAD DEVELOPED INTO THE MIDDLE MANAGEMENT TEAM OF THE -INISTRY AND WERE BETTER ABLE TO UNDERTAKE THE WORK OF MAKING POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS AND ANALYSIS AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO MAKE POLITICAL JUDGEMENTS ON FOREIGN POLICY QUESTIONS THAT NEEDED ADDRESSING
h-ORNING 0RAYERSv 7ITH THAT MIDDLE MANAGEMENT TEAM ) SET OUT TO IMPROVE QUALITY lRSTLY IN THE MANPOWER OF THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SECTIONS 7ITH -R #HIA #HEONG &OOK AS THE 3ECOND 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY ) INSTITUTED WHAT ) DESIGNATED h-ORNING 0RAYERSv WHICH WE TOOK TURNS TO CO CHAIR $AILY WE HAD EACH OF THE DESK OFlCERS BRIElNG THE MEETING OF THE EXTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS THEY HAD NOTED IN THE DAYS PRESS REPORTS AND THE 2EUTERS!&0 WIRE SERVICES THAT RELATED TO THEIR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 4HEY ALSO BROUGHT UP POLICY QUESTIONS THAT NEEDED ADDRESSING AND SOUGHT GUIDANCE FROM 3ENIOR -ANAGEMENT )N THE PRESENCE OF OTHER SENIOR OFlCERS ATTENDING THE SESSION SUCH QUESTIONS WERE DISCUSSED AND GIVEN THE NECESSARY GUIDANCE 4HESE BRIElNG SESSIONS ALSO ENSURED THAT DESK OFlCERS IN THE -INISTRY READ THEIR NEWS SOURCES CLOSELY AND WERE SEIZED WITH HAPPENINGS ABROAD THAT HAD IMPLICATIONS FOR 3INGAPORES FOREIGN POLICY ECONOMIC AND
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SECURITY INTERESTS )N CLEARING POLICY QUESTIONS THAT NEEDED ADDRESSING OTHERS PRESENT ALSO CAME TO APPRECIATE THE CONCERNS OF OTHER DESKS AND HOW THEY WERE BEING GUIDED TO RESPOND ) WAS RUTHLESS IN MY CRITICISMS OF THE OFlCERS UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF NEWS DEVELOPMENTS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS 3LOWLY THERE WAS A PERCEPTIBLE CHANGE IN THE WAY DESK OFlCERS TOOK THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND IN THE QUALITY OF THEIR FOLLOW UP OF DEVELOPMENTS 4HEY WERE MADE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNIlCANCE OF INFORMATION PASSING THROUGH THEIR HANDS IN THE FORM OF REPORTS FROM OUR OVERSEAS MISSIONS AND OTHER SOURCES AS WELL 3ECONDLY ONCE A WEEK ) HAD EACH OF THE DESK OFlCERS BRIEF THE h-ORNING 0RAYERSv IN GREATER DETAIL ON PARTICULAR SUBJECTS )N THIS CASE THEIR FOCUS WAS A MACRO APPRECIATION OF THEIR SCHEDULED RESPONSIBILITIES WITH ELABORATION ON THEIR IMPLICATIONS 4HIS REVIEW WAS TO ASSESS WHETHER THE OFlCER CONCERNED WAS UP TO DATE WITH HIS READINGS IN HIS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY AND HAD A GRASP OF THE CONCERNS THAT 3INGAPORE NEEDED TO BE CONSCIOUS OF )NITIALLY SOME CAME TO THE BRIElNGS HOPING TO WAFmE AWAY WITH STORIES WITHOUT SERIOUSLY FOCUSING ON MATTERS THAT HE OR SHE SHOULD BE ENGAGED IN 7ITH THE KIND OF CRITICISM AND ADMONITION THEY RECEIVED REGARDLESS OF THEIR STATUS IN THE -INISTRYS HIERARCHY OFlCERS SOON LEARNT TO TAKE THESE SESSIONS WITH UTMOST SERIOUSNESS &ROM THESE SESSIONS IT BECAME POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY THE DEADWOOD WHOSE PRESENCE IN THE -INISTRY WAS NOT OF MUCH BENElT TO THE 3ERVICE 4HIRDLY ) NEEDED TO GET THOSE RECEIVING AND HANDLING INFORMATION AND WHO WERE FOLLOWING EXTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS TO PUT THEIR UNDERSTANDING INTO WRITING FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE -INISTRYS MANAGEMENT AND LATER TO BE EXTENDED TO -INISTERS AND 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARIES "Y MAKING THEM PRODUCE h)NFORMATION .OTESv WHICH THE MIDDLE MANAGEMENT OF THE 0OLITICAL 3ECTION VETTED AND WHICH ) DILIGENTLY SCRUTINIZED FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS AND DEFENSIBLE ASSESSMENTS ) HOPED TO SHOW THROUGH THEM TO OUR CONSUMERS THE CHANGING QUALITY OF -&! PRODUCTS ON SUBJECTS THAT WOULD BE OF
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INTEREST TO THEM )NITIALLY THERE WAS MUCH RE WRITING THAT WAS NEEDED AND 4ONY 3IDDIQUE BECAME A SPECIALIST IN THIS TASK AND SPENT MANY HOURS IMPROVING QUALITY &OURTHLY ) MADE IT A POINT TO HOLD BACK FROM OVERSEAS POSTING THOSE YOUNG OFlCERS OF PROMISE WHOM ) NEEDED TO STAFF THE -INISTRY 4HIS WAS TO GIVE THEM A THOROUGH FAMILIARISATION WITH THE CONCERNS OF THE -INISTRY AND 'OVERNMENT AND SOME OF THE POLICY IMPERATIVES THAT THEY HAD TO KEEP IN MIND IN SERVICING THE &OREIGN -INISTRY WHEN POSTED ABROAD ) FELT SUCH AN EXPERIENCE WOULD ENABLE THEM TO UNDERTAKE ASSIGNMENTS IN THEIR OVERSEAS POSTS WITHOUT HAVING TO LOOK FOR DIRECTIONS FROM (EADQUARTERS FOR EACH AND EVERY ISSUE
'ROOMING .EW ,EADERS 7HILE WE WERE ENDEAVOURING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF STAFF AND WORK OUTPUT OF THE -INISTRY A NEW GROUP OF OFlCERS WERE POSTED TO THE -INISTRY 4HIS CROP BECAME THE MAINSTAY OF THE -INISTRY DURING MY n STINT AS WE TRIED TO BUILD UP THE QUALITY OF $IPLOMATIC /FlCERS 5NDER THE ABLE LEADERSHIP OF 4AN "OON 3ENG THE THEN $EPUTY 3ECRETARY AND HIS TEAM OF MIDDLE ECHELON OFlCERS FROM THE COHORT WHO HAD RETURNED WITH OVERSEAS EXPERIENCES AND 3EE #HAK -UN WHOM ) HAD RECALLED FROM #ANBERRA WE WERE ABLE TO MOULD THE COHORT OF NEW ENTRANTS THROUGH HEAVY DEMANDS ON THEM AND THE RESULTANT HARD WORK THEY HAD TO PUT UP WITH ) AM PLEASED THAT EACH ONE OF THEM NOW HOLDS AMBASSADORIAL POSITIONS ABROAD WITH ONE SERVING AS AN !3%!. 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL 4HROUGH THESE EXPERIENCES WE DEVELOPED A hTEAM SPIRITv GUIDED BY THE PHILOSOPHY THAT hWE ARE OUR BROTHERS KEEPERv )T WAS THESE TWO COHORTS OF OFlCERS AND OFlCERS WHO ABLY LED THE -INISTRY IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS AND BECAME THE MAINSTAY OF OUR LOBBYING SUPPORT IN THE 5. .ON !LIGNED #ONFERENCE AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL GATHERINGS AGAINST THE 6IETNAMESE OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA THE 3OVIET INVASION OF !FGHANISTAN AND IN MORE RECENT
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TIMES OTHER INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS WHERE 3INGAPORE HAD AN ABIDING INTEREST IN THE OUTCOMES
h,AJUv (IJACK )NCIDENT 4HE THIRD CHALLENGE ) FACED ABROAD AND WHERE MY DIPLOMATIC SKILLS PROVED USEFUL WAS IN THE ROLE ) HAD TO PLAY IN +UWAIT IN TO BRING ABOUT THE SAFE CONCLUSION OF THE h,AJUv HIJACK INCIDENT THE SAFE HANDOVER TO +UWAIT OF THE FOUR h,AJUv HIJACKERS TWO FROM 0OPULAR &RONT FOR THE ,IBERATION OF 0ALESTINE 0&,0 AND TWO FROM THE *APANESE 2ED !RMY !T THE +UWAIT END IT INVOLVED SERIOUS BARGAINING TO ACHIEVE MY PURPOSE &IRSTLY FOR THE SPECIAL AIRCRAFT CONVEYING US AND THEM TO LAND IN +UWAIT 3ECONDLY FOR THE SAFE RELEASE OF THE HIJACKERS TO THE +UWAITI AUTHORITIES AND FOR MYSELF AND MY OTHER COLLEAGUES FROM 3INGAPORE TO SAFELY RETURN HOME ) HAD LEFT 3INGAPORE WITH LOCAL COLLEAGUES ON A hSPECIALv *APANESE GOVERNMENT SPONSORED mIGHT CARRYING FOUR HIJACKERS 4HE mIGHT WAS TO TAKE THEM TO +UWAIT WHERE THEY WOULD DISEMBARK A PRE CONDITION DEMANDED BY THE +UWAITI 'OVERNMENT TO SECURE THE SAFE RELEASE OF THE *APANESE AMBASSADOR AND STAFF IN +UWAIT WHO HAD BEEN HIJACKED IN RETALIATION FOR THE 3INGAPORE HOLD UP OF THE h,AJUv HIJACKERS !S *APANESE GOVERNMENT OFlCIALS AND *APANESE CREW WERE ON THAT mIGHT THE HIJACKERS FROM 3INGAPORE HAD DEMANDED GUARANTEES AGAINST ANYTHING UNTOWARD HAPPENING TO THEM EN ROUTE TO +UWAIT (ENCE MY PRESENCE AND THAT OF OTHER UNARMED 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT OFlCERS ON BOARD THE hSPECIALv mIGHT WAS TO GUARANTEE THEIR SAFE DELIVERY TO +UWAIT
/N *ANUARY TERRORISTS FROM THE *APANESE 2ED !RMY *2! BOMBED PETROLEUM TANKS AT 0ULAU "UKOM AN ISLAND OFF 3INGAPORE $URING THEIR ESCAPE FROM 0ULAU "UKOM THE TERRORISTS HIJACKED A FERRY BOAT h,AJUv AND TOOK SOME CREW MEMBER AS HOSTAGES 4HE *2! TERRORISTS DEMANDED THE RELEASE OF THEIR JAILED COMRADES IN OTHER COUNTRIES IN RETURN FOR THE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES
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4HE lRST PROBLEM THAT ) FACED WAS THE REFUSAL OF THE +UWAITI AUTHORITIES FOR THE AIRCRAFT TO LAND 4HIS WAS RESOLVED WITH SOME HARD BARGAINING WITH THE #ONTROL 4OWER AS THE AIRCRAFT HAD ONLY MINUTES OF FUEL AND HAD TO LAND REGARDLESS 7HILE NEGOTIATING WITH THE 4OWER IT WAS ALSO CONVEYED THAT THE mIGHT CARRIED A GROUP OF 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT OFlCIALS WITH A SPECIAL MISSION 7E LANDED AND WERE PARKED AT THE FAR CORNER OF THE AIR lELD 4HE +UWAITI AUTHORITIES CONTINUED TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT PREPARING IT TO PROCEED ELSEWHERE /N LANDING ) HAD TO ENGAGE THE 4OWER AND EXPLAIN TO THEM WHY THEY SHOULD NOT PURSUE THEIR INTENTION TO SEND THE AIRCRAFT OFF TO SOME OTHER DESTINATION ) HAD TO TELL THE 4OWER THAT ) WAS A SPECIAL EMISSARY OF THE 0RIME -INISTER OF 3INGAPORE WHICH ) HAD NO PRIOR AUTHORITY TO SAY AND THAT ) NEEDED TO SPEAK TO THE 0RIME -INISTER OF +UWAIT OR ANY OTHER -INISTER AUTHORISED BY HIM ) ALSO WANTED TO DO THIS IN PERSON )NITIALLY THE 4OWER DEMANDED THAT ) CONVEY THE SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THEM FOR ONWARD RELAY TO THE 0RIME -INISTER $OING SO WOULD HAVE LEFT ME UNDER THE 4OWERS CONTROL AND MERCY ) REFUSED AND MERELY REITERATED MY SPECIAL POSITION AS THE 0RIME -INISTERS EMISSARY AND MY ORDERS TO DELIVER A SPECIAL MESSAGE IN PERSON ) DID SO WITHOUT DISCLOSING ABOUT THE FOUR HIJACKERS ON BOARD WHICH ) WAS SURE THE +UWAITI GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE KNOWN FROM THE *APANESE AUTHORITIES WHO WERE WORKING TO GET THEIR %MBASSY IN +UWAIT FREED !FTER A LONG WAIT ) WAS TOLD THAT THE 0RIME -INISTER WAS NOT AVAILABLE BUT THAT ) SHOULD STILL PASS THE MESSAGE TO HIS -INISTER WHO WAS AT THE 4OWER ) REFUSED AND REPEATED MY EARLIER RESPONSE THAT ) NEEDED TO DO SO IN PERSON ) FEARED THAT ONCE ) HAD CONVEYED MY MESSAGE ABOUT THE HIJACKERS OVER THE AIR ) WOULD BE AT THE MERCY OF THE +UWAITI AUTHORITIES AND mOWN OUT &INALLY THE 4OWER DISCLOSED THAT A +UWAITI MINISTER WOULD BE COMING TO THE TARMAC AS ) DIRECTED ) GAVE SPECIlC INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LOCATION WHERE ) WANTED TO SEE HIM BEFORE ) WOULD OPEN THE AIRCRAFT DOOR
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-EETING THE $EFENCE -INISTER 4HE MINISTER WHO TURNED UP HAPPENED TO BE THE $EFENCE -INISTER ) WENT DOWN TO THE TARMAC TOGETHER WITH MY COLLEAGUE THE $IRECTOR OF )NTERNAL 3ECURITY AND AN !RABIC INTERPRETER /N MEETING THE -INISTER ) TOLD HIM THAT ) HAD BEEN ASKED BY THE 0RIME -INISTER TO ACCOMPANY THE HIJACKERS AND GIVE THEM A SAFE PASSAGE TO +UWAIT AND DELIVER THEM TO HIS 'OVERNMENT ) SAID THAT ) WAS ALSO ASKED TO CONVEY TO THE 0RIME -INISTER OF +UWAIT THROUGH THE -INISTER THAT IF ANY HARM BEFELL MY COLLEAGUES AND ME IN +UWAIT MY 'OVERNMENT WOULD HOLD THE +UWAITI GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE 4HE -INISTER WHO WAS lERCE LOOKING AND HAD BLOOD SHOT EYES WAS VISIBLY ANGRY AND RETORTED h9OU HAVE THE TEMERITY TO THREATEN MEv ) RESPONDED POLITELY THAT THOSE WERE MY SPECIlC INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE 0RIME -INISTER OF 3INGAPORE AND THAT WAS WHAT ) CONVEYED (E COOLED DOWN AND THEREAFTER NEGOTIATIONS BEGAN IN EARNEST ON THE TARMAC BETWEEN THE +UWAITI MINISTER THE *APANESE AMBASSADOR FROM 4EHERAN WHO HAD COME TO NEGOTIATE THE RELEASE OF THE *APANESE EMBASSY THAT HAD BEEN HIJACKED AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE 0,/ FROM "AGHDAD 7HILE ) WAS ALLOWED TO BE PRESENT ) WAS KEPT AT A DISTANCE UNABLE TO SAY ANYTHING OR TO INTERRUPT THEM 4HE NEGOTIATIONS LASTED SEVERAL HOURS DURING WHICH TIME AND EVEN BEFORE ANY CONCLUSION WAS REACHED THE FULLY ARMED HIJACKERS OF THE *APANESE EMBASSY IN +UWAIT BOARDED THE AIRCRAFT WHILE MY COLLEAGUES AND ) WERE STILL ON BOARD ) MOVED IN AND OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT BUT REMAINED ON THE TARMAC THROUGHOUT THE MAIN PERIOD OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WHILE OCCASIONALLY REMINDING THE NEGOTIATORS THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND ) SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE AS WE HAD ACCOMPLISHED OUR MISSION AND SHOULD BE mOWN BACK TO 3INGAPORE !T ONE STAGE ) WENT BACK TO THE AIRCRAFT TO REMIND THE *APANESE HIJACKERS OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO HAVE US LEAVE THE AIRCRAFT WHICH THE ARMED HIJACKERS FROM +UWAIT INITIALLY RESISTED STRONGLY !FTER A LONG WAIT THE &OREIGN -INISTER OF +UWAIT CAME TO THE SCENE (E DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH THE ARMED HIJACKERS ON BOARD AND WITH THEIR CONCURRENCE ASKED MY COLLEAGUES
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AND ME TO LEAVE THE AIRCRAFT (IS WORDS WERE THAT hWE GET LOSTv UNTIL OUR mIGHT OUT THAT EVENING (E VERY KINDLY ARRANGED FOR HIS OFlCERS TO SEE TO THE ARRANGEMENTS
,ESSONS FROM THE (IJACK 4O ACHIEVE OUR PURPOSE AND TO BARGAIN FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF OUR OBJECTIVES ) HAD TO IMPROVISE EACH MOMENT FROM LANDING TO OUR RELEASE BY THINKING ON MY FEET ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY AND APPEAR SERIOUS AND CREDIBLE WITHOUT RESORTING TO AWAIT INSTRUCTIONS ) HAD NO SUCH INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE 0RIME -INISTER BUT ) KNEW HE WOULD UNDERSTAND WHY ) HAD TO INVOKE HIM AT A VERY CRITICAL MOMENT IN MY NEGOTIATIONS ,IKEWISE ) HAD TO MAKE A SUBTLE THREAT TO THE +UWAITI -INISTER ON THE TARMAC AS ) FEARED THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND ) MIGHT BE FORCED TO CONTINUE THE JOURNEY WITH THE HIJACKERS OUT OF +UWAIT ONCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELLED 7HEN WE LEFT +UWAIT THAT EVENING THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE HIJACKERS WAS STILL ON THE TARMAC ) GATHERED THE AUTHORITIES IN "AGHDAD REFUSED THE AIRCRAFT LANDING RIGHTS AND THE AIRCRAFT HAD lNALLY TO LEAVE FOR !DEN WHERE ALL THE HIJACKERS FROM 3INGAPORE AND +UWAIT WERE FREED AND LEFT TO JOIN THEIR COLLEAGUES SOMEWHERE IN THE -IDDLE %AST 4HERE WERE SOME IMPORTANT LESSONS ) LEARNT IN THE HANDLING OF THIS INCIDENT lRST TO BE COMPOSED IN SUCH TENSE SITUATIONS AND THINK CREATIVELY DEVELOPING A STRATEGY AS EVENTS UNFOLDED SECOND TO ACCEPT THE LIMITATIONS OF HAVING LITTLE OR NO INFORMATION BUT WORK ON WHATEVER SKETCHY INFORMATION BECAME AVAILABLE AND BUILD UPON IT AS DEVELOPMENTS OCCUR 4AKING ACTION BLINDLY CAN RESULT IN TREMENDOUS HUMAN COST THIRD THE NEED FOR CLOSE CO ORDINATION AND FOLLOW UP BY DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF THE 'OVERNMENT 4HE ABSENCE OF THIS ENDED WITH THE +UWAITI GOVERNMENT NOT HAVING BEEN INFORMED ABOUT MY MISSION WHICH WITH HINDSIGHT DID NOT TURN OUT TOO BADLY WHEN ) LANDED IN +UWAIT FOURTH TO BE INNOVATIVE AND BE READY TO SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES AND lFTH NOT TO DISCLOSE YOUR POSITION TO YOUR INTERLOCUTOR PREMATURELY
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2EmECTIONS 3TARTING FROM 3CRATCH !S ) LOOK BACK ON MY YEARS IN THE -&! ) AM AMAZED AT HOW WE HAVE LEARNT ON THE JOB AND HAVE BECOME WHAT WE ARE TODAY 4HE -INISTRY CAME INTO EXISTENCE LITERALLY OVERNIGHT WITH NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE CONDUCT OF DIPLOMACY /NLY TWO OFlCERS HAD ANY PREVIOUS EXPOSURE NAMELY THE LATE -R !BU "AKAR 0AWANCHEE THE -INISTRYS lRST 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY WHO HAD BEEN ATTACHED TO THE "RITISH EMBASSY IN *AKARTAS 4RADE 3ECTION BEFORE THE #ONFRONTATION 4HE OTHER WAS -R &RANCIS $#OSTA WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY UNDERGONE A COURSE OF TRAINING IN !USTRALIA ! THIRD OFlCER !NWAR )BRAHIM HAD SERVED AS 0ROTOCOL /FlCER IN THE 0RIME -INISTERS /FlCE DURING OUR -ALAYSIAN DAYS $URING THE lRST PERIOD OF MY SERVICE IN THE -INISTRY FROM TO WE HAD TO CONFRONT VARIOUS POLICY QUESTIONS IN IGNORANCE !S THERE WAS NO REQUIREMENT IN THE 'OVERNMENT TO ENGAGE IN FOREIGN POLICY MATTERS BEFORE )NDEPENDENCE THERE WAS NO RECORD OR PRECEDENT TO FALL BACK ON 4HE -INISTRY STARTED ON A CLEAN SLATE ) FOR ONE CONFRONTED QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP FOR ATTENTION AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF hIGNORANCEv &OREIGN DIPLOMATS SOUGHT TO ENGAGE US ME INCLUDED WITH VARIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR POSITION ON POLITICAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS WITH WHICH THEY WERE FOCUSED ON 3OME ) COULD REACT TO WITH MY .45#!FRO !SIAN EXPERIENCE AND BASED ON OUR hNON ALIGNEDv STAND AS HAD BEEN ARTICULATED BY OUR POLITICAL LEADERS IE -R 3 2AJARATNAM AND 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW
%ARLY $AYS $URING OUR DAYS OF h)NTERNAL 3ELF 'OVERNMENTv AND -ALAYSIAN DAYS OUR LEADERS HAD MADE SEVERAL FORAYS INTO FOREIGN POLITICAL GATHERINGS AND MADE SPEECHES THAT REmECTED THEIR FOREIGN POLICY VIEWS AND
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STANDS 4HESE WERE NOT ALWAYS RELEVANT TO THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT OUR INTERLOCUTORS RAISED 3OME DIPLOMATS CAME TO US TO ELICIT INFORMATION ON OUR GOINGS ON WITH -ALAYSIA USING THE EXCUSE OF THEIR INTEREST IN OUR STAND ON PARTICULAR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS 9ET OTHERS CAME TO SUBTLY INmUENCE OUR THINKING TO TAKE POSITIONS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR INTEREST "UT SOME ESPECIALLY THE !MERICAN AND #OMMONWEALTH DIPLOMATS APPRECIATED THE VACUUM IN WHICH THE -INISTRY WAS ATTEMPTING TO FORMULATE POLICIES AND TAKE POSITIONS ON INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL QUESTIONS OF SECURITY AND POLITICAL SIGNIlCANCE 4HEY OFTEN BRIEFED US ON WHAT WAS HAPPENING EXTERNALLY THEIR POSITIONS ON THEM AND THEIR REASONS FOR SO DOING
0ROTOCOL )N THOSE EARLY YEARS UNTIL WELL INTO THE LATER PART OF EVERYTHING IN THE -INISTRY WAS DICTATED EXCEPT WHERE DIRECTED BY THE -INISTER BY CONSIDERATIONS OF h0ROTOCOLv 7ITH THAT DIVISION HEADED BY SOMEONE WITH PAST EXPERIENCE AND THE 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY SIMILARLY INCLINED PROTOCOL CONSIDERATIONS ALWAYS TOOK PRECEDENCE WHEN ADDRESSING A PARTICULAR QUESTION 4HERE WAS THE INSTANCE OF THE VISIT BY -R +ANG 2YANG 5K THE 6ICE 0RESIDENT OF THE $EMOCRATIC 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF +OREA $02+ WHO CAME AT SHORT NOTICE AS A 3PECIAL %NVOY OF 0RESIDENT +IM )L 3UNG 4WO QUESTIONS CAME UP FOR CONSIDERATION 7HAT COULD BE HIS PURPOSE IN WANTING TO MAKE SUCH A HIGH PROlLE VISIT SO SOON AFTER OUR INDEPENDENCE 4HE OTHER QUESTION CONCERNED WHAT TREATMENT TO ACCORD HIM ON ARRIVAL BEING THE h6ICE 0RESIDENTv AND h3PECIAL %NVOYv .ONE OF THE FOREIGN MISSIONS THEN IN 3INGAPORE WERE ABLE TO HELP US AS THEIR COUNTRIES HAD NO RELATIONS WITH THE $02+ !S HE WAS VISITING -ALAYSIA AND 3INGAPORE WE SOUGHT THE VIEWS OF -ALAYSIA WHO WERE EQUALLY BAFmED 3UCH BEING THE SITUATION BOTH COUNTRIES DECIDED TO TREAT IT AS A hSTATE VISITv WITH ALL THE CEREMONIES CUSTOMARILY ACCORDED FOR SUCH EVENTS 4HIS WAS DONE WITH THE VISITOR GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY
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TO MEET THE 0RIME -INISTER AND CONVEY HIS 0RINCIPALS MESSAGE 3OME YEARS LATER WE HAD ANOTHER VISIT BY ANOTHER 6ICE 0RESIDENT AND 3PECIAL %NVOY FROM +OREA 4HIS TIME THE VISITOR WAS RECEIVED WITHOUT ALL THE POMP AND CEREMONY GIVEN TO HIS PREDECESSOR )T LATER TURNED OUT THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL 6ICE 0RESIDENTS IN THE $02+ AND EACH h3PECIAL %NVOYv WAS DESIGNATED A 6ICE 0RESIDENT FOR HIS SPECIlC MISSION 4HIS MAY SEEM COMICAL BUT GIVEN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES IN THOSE EARLY YEARS SUCH MISTAKES WERE UNAVOIDABLE
$EVELOPING 3TRATEGIC 0OLICY 'RADUALLY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE -INISTRY WAS ABLE TO BUILD UP A BODY OF KNOWLEDGE ON GENERAL FOREIGN POLICY QUESTIONS )N THOSE TIMES IT WAS THE &OREIGN -INISTER WHO IN CONSULTATION WITH THE 0RIME -INISTER DETERMINED THE STAND TO TAKE ON PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENTS 4AKE THE !RAB )SRAELI WAR AS AN INSTANCE /UR NEWLY APPOINTED !MBASSADOR TO THE 5. THE LATE 7ONG ,IN +EN WAS CONFRONTED WITH THE VARIOUS DRAFT RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION )N THAT mUID SITUATION DIRECTIONS WERE GIVEN TO HIM ON THE STAND HE SHOULD TAKE )N PARTICULAR ) REMEMBER THE POSITION WE TOOK ON h*ERUSALEMv ON GROUNDS THAT THE OCCUPIED !RAB PART OF *ERUSALEM SHOULD NOT BE CONVERTED INTO THE SPOILS OF WAR $ESPITE TREMENDOUS PRESSURE FROM THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE WITH ITS STRONG LINKS TO )SRAELI $EFENCE !DVISERS SUCH A POSITION WAS TAKEN BY OUR 'OVERNMENT !NY OTHER STAND WOULD HAVE LEFT 3INGAPORE VULNERABLE AS A PRECEDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN SET AND COULD EASILY BE APPLIED WITH IMPUNITY TOWARDS 3INGAPORE SHOULD IT FALL VICTIM TO AN OUTSIDE AGGRESSOR )N LATER YEARS THE SAME PRINCIPLE WAS APPLIED TO THWART THE 6IETNAMESE OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA AND THEIR EFFORTS TO GET THE REGIME THEY HAD SET UP IN #AMBODIA TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE LEGITIMATE 'OVERNMENT OF #AMBODIA AND ENTITLED TO ITS 5. SEAT 4HAT BEING THE CONTEXT IN WHICH ) SERVED IT BECAME CRITICAL FOR ME TO BE AS UP TO DATE AS POSSIBLE WITH EXTERNAL EVENTS BY
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READING FOREIGN NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALS AND ALSO LEARNING FROM MY ENGAGEMENT WITH VARIOUS FOREIGN DIPLOMATS AND OFlCIALS WHO CAME TO THE -INISTRY ON OFlCIAL BUSINESS 4HIS WAS ALL THE MORE NECESSARY AS ) KNEW OF THE WIDE READING HABITS OF THE &OREIGN -INISTER THE 0RIME -INISTER AND HIS PRINCIPAL #ABINET COLLEAGUES (OW TO APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE ) GLEANED FROM MY READINGS TO QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP FOR PROCESSING WAS OFTEN UNCLEAR )T WAS FORTUNATE THAT THROUGH MY DAY TO DAY INTERACTIONS WITH THE -INISTER ) HAD EASY ACCESS TO HIM HIS THINKING AND LEARNT THE LINE TO TAKE )NSTANCES LIKE THE h,ON .OLv COUP IN #AMBODIA AND HOW TO RESPOND TOWARDS THE 'OVERNMENT WERE MATTERS OF HIGH POLICY ,IKEWISE IN REGARD THE 6IETNAMESE INVASION AND HOW TO TREAT THE h0OL 0OTv REGIME WHOSE ABHORRENT ACTIONS AND CRUELTY WE SERIOUSLY DETESTED "EFORE ) LEFT THE -INISTRY IN THE 3OVIET INVADED !FGHANISTAN )N ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS DECISIONS WERE TAKEN AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF OUR 'OVERNMENT WITH INPUTS FROM THE -INISTER FOR WHICH THE -INISTRY HAD TO GATHER RELEVANT INFORMATION FROM OUR OVERSEAS MISSIONS AND FROM DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN 3INGAPORE
/FlCIAL 6ISITS !BROAD )N THOSE EARLY YEARS ) ALSO ACCOMPANIED THE &OREIGN -INISTER AND THE 0RIME -INISTER ON THEIR TRAVELS ABROAD 4HESE WERE WONDERFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCES ) REMEMBER VIVIDLY THE 0RIME -INISTERS INTERVENTION AT THE .ON !LIGNED #ONFERENCE IN ,USAKA !T THAT MEETING RADICAL LEADERS LIKE &ORBES "URNHAM WERE STRONGLY EMPHASISING THE FACT THAT 4HIRD 7ORLD COUNTRIES POSSESSED VITAL RESOURCES NEEDED BY THE &IRST 7ORLD AND HOW THIS MUST BE USED AS LEVERAGE TO EXTRACT MORE CONCESSIONS AND FAIRER TREATMENT FOR 4HIRD 7ORLD COUNTRIES 4O INTRODUCE REALISM TO THE DEBATE THE 0RIME -INISTER REMINDED HIS AUDIENCE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY IF ONE WISHED TO EXTRACT AND PROCESS THOSE RESOURCES IN THE EARTH AND DERIVE THEIR MARKET VALUE IF NOT FOR WHICH SUCH RESOURCES WILL LIE BURIED IN THE EARTH AND
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BE OF NO VALUE 3OME OF THE RADICAL LEADERS DISPLAYED DISPLEASURE OVER HIS APPEAL BUT IT WAS APPRECIATED BY OTHERS LIKE 0RESIDENT .YRERE OF 4ANZANIA WHO HELPED TO TONE DOWN THE lNAL #OMMUNIQUÏ OF THE ,USAKA -EETING
!3%!. )T WAS DURING THAT PERIOD THAT CONSIDERABLE GROUNDWORK WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY )NDONESIA TOWARDS THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL ORGANISATION CONSISTING OF )NDONESIA 4HAILAND -ALAYSIA 0HILIPPINES AND 3INGAPORE ) HAVE WRITTEN SEPARATELY ABOUT WHAT LED TO THE FORMATION OF !3%!. IN A SEPARATE PAPER WHICH IS WITH THE -INISTRY
3ECURING THE ,IBERATION OF #AMBODIA $URING MY SECOND TERM IN THE -INISTRY FROM TO ) WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE lNAL EFFORT OF COBBLING TOGETHER A COALITION OF THE THREE ELEMENTS THAT SET OUT TO SECURE THE LIBERATION OF #AMBODIA FROM 6IETNAMESE OCCUPATION )T IS IN THAT ENCOUNTER THAT ) LEARNT THAT COUNTRIES PLACE DIFFERENT VALUES ON THEIR INSTITUTIONS OF LEADERSHIP ) HAD INITIALLY BROUGHT TO 3INGAPORE THE FORMER #AMBODIAN 0REMIER THE LATE 3ON 3ANN WHO WAS IN EXILE IN 0ARIS &ROM DAY ONE OF OUR CONTACT HE HAD DISMISSED THEN 0RINCE 3IHANOUK AS INCONSEQUENTIAL IN THE #AMBODIAN STRUGGLE 7HILE 3ON 3ANN WAS IN THE )STANA ,ODGE ATTENDING A MEETING WITH THEN &OREIGN -INISTER -R 3 $HANABALAN AN INCOMING TELEPHONE CALL REQUIRED ATTENTION AS NONE OF THE BUTLERS COULD UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE OF THE CALLER /NE OF 3ON 3ANNS AIDES THEN TOOK THE CALL AND SAID SOMETHING ALOUD IN #AMBODIAN TO THOSE SEATED WITH THE -INISTER 7ITHOUT EVEN AN EXPLANATION 3ON 3ANN STOOD UP AND RUSHED TO THE TELEPHONE WHERE HE WAS RESPONDING WITH REPEATED CLICKS OF
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HIS HEEL !SKED BY -R $HANABALAN HE COULD ONLY SAY ALOUD h(IS -AJESTYv 4HE NEXT DAY ) BROUGHT ALL LEADERS INCLUDING THE 0RINCE TO A MEETING ON THE TOP mOOR OF 3HANGRI LA (OTEL !S EACH LEADER APPROACHED THE 0RINCE THEY LITERALLY CRAWLED AS IS THE #AMBODIAN TRADITION WHEN CONFRONTING THE MONARCHY 4HIS INCLUDED +HIEU 3AMPHAN THE +HMER 2OUGE LEADER AND 3ON 3ANN AMONG OTHERS ) LATER TOOK ALL THREE FACTIONS INTO A PRIVATE ROOM AND URGED THEM TO COME TO A COMMON POSITION IN OPPOSING THE 6IETNAMESE OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA AND IN THE STRUGGLE TO SECURE THE #AMBODIAN SEAT IN THE 5. .O SOONER HAD ) LEFT THE ROOM THE 0RINCE FOLLOWED ME OUT ) URGED HIM TO RETURN TO THE ROOM AND HELP IN THE DELIBERATIONS (E RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT HE WOULD LEAVE THEM TO DECIDE THE COURSE OF ACTION WITH WHICH HE WOULD GO ALONG SO LONG AS THEY HAD AGREED (E WAS IN FACT TELLING ME THAT AS 2ULER HE WAS ABOVE THE FACTIONS AND NOT PART OF THEM AS WE HAD HITHERTO TREATED HIM 4O ME IT WAS A REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE THAT 2OYALTY PLAYED IN THE #AMBODIAN CULTURE WHERE EVEN BITTER ENEMIES PAID REVERENCE TO THE +ING TO KEEP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE GENERAL POPULATION ! FEW DAYS LATER ) LEFT THE -INISTRY TO TAKE UP THE POSITION OF %XECUTIVE #HAIRMAN OF THE 3TRAITS 4IMES 0RESS 3EEING ME AT A MEETING ORGANISED BY )3%!3 HE ASKED ME ON THE WAY OUT IF ) HAD BEEN SENT OUT BECAUSE OF WHAT ) DID AT THE MEETING OF THE FACTIONS ) ASSURED HIM THAT WAS NOT SO 7HEN ) MADE A 3TATE VISIT TO #AMBODIA IN &EBRUARY (IS -AJESTY +ING 3IHANOUK THANKED ME FOR THE ROLE ) HAD PLAYED IN THE PAST AND BRIEmY REMINISCED ON THOSE HAPPENINGS
#ONCLUSION /N THE WHOLE MY YEARS IN THE &OREIGN -INISTRY WERE AN ENRICHING EXPERIENCE ) GREW UP AND OUT OF MY IDEALISTIC PHASE WORKING IN THE ,ABOUR -OVEMENT
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)N LATER YEARS THESE EXPERIENCES THAT ) HAD ACQUIRED WHILE IN THE -INISTRY PROVED INVALUABLE 4HEY HELPED TO GUIDE ME ON HOW TO DEAL WITH DELICATE SITUATIONS THAT CROPPED UP WHEN ) WAS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO -ALAYSIA n ,ATER WHILE SERVING AS !MBASSADOR TO THE 5NITED 3TATES ) HAD TO AGAIN DRAW ON THOSE EXPERIENCES AND APPLY THE SKILLS THAT ) HAD HONED AND TO BEAR IN MIND THE BIG PICTURE AGAINST WHICH 3INGAPORE WAS OPERATING IN REGIONAL AND WORLD AFFAIRS INSTEAD OF ALLOWING MY ACTIONS TO BE DICTATED BY THE ISSUES CONmICTS AND TENSIONS IN OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS AT PARTICULAR TIMES 4HERE WERE OCCASIONS WHEN ) HAD TO STAND MY GROUND MUCH TO THE DISPLEASURE OF OFlCIALS ENGAGING ME ON THE OTHER SIDE "UT THESE DIFFERENCES NEVER INTERFERED IN OUR PERSONAL RELATIONS AND MANY OF THEM HAVE REMAINED FRIENDS
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0RINCIPLES OF 3INGAPORES &OREIGN 0OLICY -R 3 2!*!2!4.!- WAS 3INGAPORES lRST -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS (E WAS IN ,ONDON STUDYING ,AW WHEN 7ORLD 7AR )) BROKE OUT )N HE RETURNED TO 3INGAPORE AND WORKED AS AN EDITORIAL WRITER IN THE -ALAYA 4RIBUNE )N HE MOVED TO THE 3INGAPORE 3TANDARD WHERE HE WORKED UNTIL (E HELPED TO FOUND THE 3INGAPORE 5NION OF *OURNALIST AND WAS EVENTUALLY ELECTED 0RESIDENT OF THE 5NION (E ALSO CONVENED AND ESTABLISHED THE 0EOPLES !CTION 0ARTY 0!0 (E WAS ONE OF THE 0ARTYS CORE LEADERS AND ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS OF INDEPENDENT AND MODERN 3INGAPORE (E WAS APPOINTED -INISTER OF #ULTURE IN (E SERVED AS THE -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS FROM !UGUST TO -AY &ROM TO HE WAS ALSO -INISTER FOR ,ABOUR /N *UNE HE WAS APPOINTED 3ECOND $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER &OREIGN !FFAIRS )N HE RETIRED FROM ACTIVE POLITICS AND WAS APPOINTED 3ENIOR -INISTER (E RECEIVED THE PRESTIGIOUS /RDER OF 4EMASEK &IRST #LASS IN AND THE !3%!. (EADS OF 'OVERNMENT #ITATION !WARD IN
OW THAT 3INGAPORE HAS BEEN RECEIVED INTO THE FOLD OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS ) WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE THIS !SSEMBLY THAT 3INGAPORE WILL JOIN WITH OTHER NATIONS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO REALISE THE AIMS AND OBJECTS OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS #HARTER &OR US THE ESSENTIALS OF THE #HARTER ARE THE PRESERVATION OF PEACE THROUGH COLLECTIVE SECURITY PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUTUAL AID AND THE SAFEGUARDING OF THE INALIENABLE RIGHT OF EVERY COUNTRY TO ESTABLISH FORMS OF GOVERNMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WISHES OF ITS OWN PEOPLE 3INGAPORE STANDS BY THESE THREE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES AND WILL GIVE LOYAL AND UNmINCHING
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4HIS TEXT HAS BEEN ADAPTED FROM THE 3TATEMENT OF -R 3 2AJARATNAM &OREIGN -INISTER OF 3INGAPORE AT THE 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY ON 3EPTEMBER ON THE OCCASION OF 3INGAPORES ADMISSION TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS -ALAYSIA *ORDAN THE )VORY #OAST AND THE 5NITED +INGDOM JOINTLY CO SPONSORED 3INGAPORES APPLICATION TO JOIN THE 5NITED .ATIONS
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SUPPORT TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN ITS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE THESE IDEALS 7E SUPPORT THESE IDEALS BECAUSE WE REALISE THAT THE WELL BEING THE SECURITY AND INTEGRITY OF 3INGAPORE CAN BE ASSURED ONLY ON THE BASIS OF THESE PRINCIPLES )T IS PRACTICAL SELF INTEREST AND NOT VAGUE IDEALISM WHICH MAKES IT NECESSARY FOR 3INGAPORE TO GIVE LOYAL SUPPORT TO THESE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN THE 5. #HARTER
7ORLD 0EACE 7ORLD PEACE IS A NECESSARY CONDITION FOR THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVIVAL OF SMALL COUNTRIES LIKE 3INGAPORE &OR ONE THING WE WANT PEACE SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT THE CAPACITY TO MAKE WAR ON ANYBODY 7E ARE SURROUNDED BY BIGGER AND MORE POWERFUL NEIGHBOURS WITH WHOM WE CANNOT AFFORD TO SETTLE ISSUES BY FORCE OF ARMS 3O IT IS NATURAL THAT 3INGAPORE SHOULD ADHERE lRMLY TO THE POLICY OF RESOLVING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NATIONS THROUGH PEACEFUL NEGOTIATION BY NON VIOLENT MEANS
&OREIGN "ASES !T THE SAME TIME 3INGAPORE IS WELL AWARE THAT IT IS SITUATED IN A REGION OF THE WORLD WHICH HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN THE BATTLEGROUND OF BIG POWER CONmICTS 3INGAPORE ITSELF BY VIRTUE OF ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION HAS ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF NATIONS WHO WISHED TO DOMINATE 3OUTH EAST !SIA 5NDER "RITISH COLONIALISM 3INGAPORE WAS DEVELOPED NOT ONLY AS THE COMMERCIAL HUB OF 3OUTH EAST !SIA BUT ALSO AS A MILITARY BASE FOR CONSOLIDATING 7ESTERN IMPERIALISM 4ODAY WITH THE GRANTING OF INDEPENDENCE TO 3INGAPORE THE ROLE OF THIS BASE IS NO LONGER TO UNDERWRITE "RITISH COLONIALISM IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA 3INGAPORE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT WILL NEVER ALLOW THE BASE TO BE USED FOR AGGRESSION 4HE BASE IS THERE WITH OUR CONSENT TO ENSURE OUR OWN SECURITY IN AN AREA OF INCREASING MILITARY
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INSTABILITY 4HE MOMENT WE CAN BE ASSURED OF EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENT WHICH WILL GUARANTEE OUR SECURITY THE FOREIGN BASES WOULD HAVE TO GO
3ECURITY 5NDERGIRDED BY -ILITARY 3TRENGTH 3INGAPORE FEELS THAT MONEY SPENT ON WEAPONS OF WAR AND ARMIES IS MONEY WASTED &URTHERMORE IT IS OBVIOUS TO US THAT GIVEN MODERN TECHNIQUES OF WAR A COUNTRY OF ABOUT TWO MILLION PEOPLE CAN NEVER ON ITS OWN ADEQUATELY SECURE ITS DEFENCE -ODERN DEFENCE HAS TO BE COLLECTIVE IN CHARACTER ESPECIALLY FOR SMALL NATIONS AND THAT IS WHY WE BELIEVE THAT ULTIMATELY OUR DEFENCE AND SECURITY MUST BE SECURED THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE AND EFFECTIVE STRENGTH OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS 7E SHALL THEREFORE SUPPORT ANY AND EVERY MOVE TO STRENGTHEN THE PEACE KEEPING EFFECTIVENESS OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS "UT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE 5NITED .ATIONS CAN REALLY SAFEGUARD THE SECURITY OF SMALL NATIONS WE SHALL HAVE TO lND SUCH TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS AS WE CAN TO ASSURE OUR SECURITY
0EOPLE &IRST 3INGAPORE IS ESSENTIALLY A TRADING COMMUNITY !LMOST ALL OUR ENERGIES RESOURCES AND TALENTS ARE DEVOTED TO DEVELOPING OUR TRADE AND OUR INDUSTRIES 7E HAVE NO MILITARY AIRCRAFT AND NO TANKS /UR ARMY IS SMALL )NSTEAD WE HAVE DEVOTED OUR RESOURCES TO BUILDING HOMES FOR THE PEOPLE SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS 7E SEEK A WELFARE STATE AND NOT A WARFARE STATE )F INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM ARE NOT TO BE EMPTY SLOGANS THEN WE MUST CONTINUE TO SPEND AS MUCH OF OUR RESOURCES AS WE CAN lGHTING THE ONLY WAR THAT MATTERS TO THE PEOPLE THE WAR AGAINST POVERTY IGNORANCE DISEASE BAD HOUSING UNEMPLOYMENT AND AGAINST ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WHICH DENY DIGNITY AND FREEDOM TO OUR FELLOW MEN
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.ON !LIGNMENT 4O lGHT THIS KIND OF WAR WE NEED TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS !ND WE WANT TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH ALL OUR NEIGHBOURS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL TO LOSE BY BEING AT WAR WITH THEM !LL WE THEREFORE ASK IS TO BE LEFT ALONE TO RESHAPE AND BUILD OUR COUNTRY THE WAY OUR PEOPLE WANT IT 7E HAVE NO WISH TO INTERFERE IN THE AFFAIRS OF OTHER COUNTRIES OR TELL THEM HOW THEY SHOULD ORDER THEIR LIFE )N RETURN WE ASK OTHER COUNTRIES TO BE FRIENDLY WITH US EVEN IF THEY DO NOT LIKE THE WAY WE DO THINGS IN OUR OWN COUNTRY 4HIS IS WHY 3INGAPORE HAS CHOSEN THE PATH OF NON ALIGNMENT )T SIMPLY MEANS THAT WE DO NOT WISH TO BE DRAWN INTO ALLIANCES DEDICATED TO IMPOSING OUR OWN WAY OF LIFE ON OTHER COUNTRIES &RIENDSHIP BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES SHOULD NOT BE CONDITIONAL ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF COMMON IDEOLOGIES COMMON FRIENDS AND COMMON FOES (OWEVER THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT 3INGAPORE EQUATES NON ALIGNMENT WITH INDIFFERENCE TO BASIC ISSUES OF RIGHT AND WRONG OR THAT IT WILL EVADE TAKING A STAND ON MATTERS WHICH IT CONSIDERS VITAL LEST IT DISPLEASES SOME MEMBER NATIONS INCLUDING THOSE WITH WHICH IT HAS CLOSE TIES .ON ALIGNMENT IS ONLY IN REGARD TO NARROW POWER BLOC INTERESTS AND NOT IN REGARD TO THE BASIC PRINCIPLES EMBODIED IN THE 5. #HARTER 4O BE NON ALIGNED IN REGARD TO THE BASIC TENETS OF THE #HARTER IS TO DESTROY THE INTEGRITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN WHICH LIKE 3INGAPORE SMALL COUNTRIES PLACE THEIR HOPES
-ULTI 2ACIAL AND -ULTI #ULTURAL 3INGAPORE 3INGAPORE BY THE VERY NATURE OF ITS HISTORIC EXPERIENCE IS AWARE THAT IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD A DEVELOPING COUNTRY MUST LEARN TO CHERISH INDEPENDENCE WITHOUT DENYING THE REALITY OF INTERDEPENDENCE OF NATIONS /UR ABHORRENCE OF DEPENDENCE ON OTHERS SHOULD NOT DRIVE
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US INTO EMBRACING THE DANGEROUS MYTH OF ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY )N ORDER TO LEARN TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES THERE MUST BE WILLING ACCEPTANCE OF THE NEED FOR INTERDEPENDENCE 4HE CULTURAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF 3INGAPORE HAS FOR DECADES BEEN BASED ON FREE INTERCOURSE AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS DRAWN FROM MANY RACES AND FROM MANY CONTINENTS 7E ARE A MULTI RACIAL SOCIETY CONSTITUTED OUT OF THE THREE MAJOR RACIAL STOCKS OF !SIA #HINESE -ALAY AND )NDIAN IN ADDITION TO !RABS #EYLONESE %URASIANS AND OTHERS &OUR MAJOR CULTURES -ALAY #HINESE )NDIAN AND 7ESTERN AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE LANGUAGES ARE ALLOWED FREE AND EQUAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE BASIS OF CROSS STIMULATION 7E THINK OF OURSELVES NOT AS EXCLUSIVELY A #HINESE AN )NDIAN OR A -ALAY SOCIETY BUT AS A LITTLE 5NITED .ATIONS IN THE MAKING 4HE FOUR CULTURES WHICH mOURISH IN 3INGAPORE COLLECTIVELY REPRESENT THE HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF MORE THAN HALF OF HUMANITY AND WE SEE NO REASON FOR SUPPRESSING OTHER CULTURES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SUPREMACY OF ONLY ONE OF THEM 4HE MULTI RACIAL AND MULTI CULTURAL CHARACTER OF 3INGAPORE HAS MADE US SOMEWHAT SCEPTICAL OF THOSE WHO PREACH THE SUPERIORITY AND EXCLUSIVENESS OF ONE CULTURE AND ONE RACE )N A MULTI RACIAL SOCIETY ONE SOON LEARNS THAT NO ONE PEOPLE HAS A MONOPOLY OF WISDOM AND THAT ONES OWN CULTURE IS NOT WITHOUT mAWS 4HIS BREEDS NOT ONLY TOLERANCE FOR DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS BUT ALSO A READINESS TO LEARN AND BORROW FROM THE ACCUMULATED WISDOM OF OTHER PEOPLE 4HESE ARE WE HAVE DISCOVERED ATTITUDES OF MIND ESSENTIAL FOR THE SMOOTH AND CONSTRUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTI RACIAL AND MULTI CULTURAL SOCIETY 4HE 5NITED .ATIONS IS ALSO A MULTI NATIONAL AND MULTI CULTURAL ORGANISATION TRYING WITH SOME MEASURE OF SUCCESS TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND COMMON PURPOSE AMONG THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD 7E SHALL THEREFORE BRING TO THE WORK OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS THE ATTITUDE AND APPROACHES OF A MULTI RACIAL NATION AWARE THAT INDEPENDENCE AND INTERDEPENDENCE OF PEOPLES AND NATIONS ARE NOT INCOMPATIBLE GOALS TO PURSUE
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7ILLINGNESS TO (ELP /THERS &INALLY THOUGH WE ARE A SMALL COUNTRY NOT ENDOWED WITH AMPLE NATURAL RESOURCES AND THOUGH WE CANNOT BE COUNTED AMONG THE HIGHLY ADVANCED NATIONS OF THE WORLD WE ARE NEVERTHELESS A HIGHLY URBANISED COMMUNITY THAT HAS ACQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE WHICH WE ARE PREPARED TO SHARE WITH OTHERS IN THE REGIONAL CO OPERATION SCHEMES ORGANISED BY THE AGENCIES OF THE 5. 5NDOUBTEDLY THOSE OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE CAN BE CARRIED OUT ONLY ON A MODEST SCALE BUT IF WE OBTAIN HELP FROM OTHERS WE MUST BE READY TO HELP OTHERS AS MUCH IN RETURN 4HIS IS WHAT THE 5NITED .ATIONS MEANS TO US AND DESPITE THE CYNICS WHO FOCUS ATTENTION ON ITS MANY SHORTCOMING 3INGAPORE HAS FAITH IN THE FUTURE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS SIMPLY BECAUSE WITHOUT IT THERE IS NO WORTHWHILE FUTURE FOR HUMANITY
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3CENES FROM THE #AMBODIAN $RAMA -R 3 $(!.!"!,!. WAS 3INGAPORES -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS FROM TO (E IS #HAIRMAN 4EMASEK (OLDINGS 0RIVATE ,TD #HAIRMAN $"3 'ROUP (OLDINGS ,TD #HAIRMAN $"3 "ANK ,TD #HAIRMAN 0ARAMESWARA (OLDINGS ,TD -EMBER 0RESIDENTIAL #OUNCIL FOR -INORITY 2IGHTS AND -EMBER #OUNCIL OF 0RESIDENTIAL !DVISERS (E STARTED HIS CAREER IN THE 3INGAPORE #IVIL 3ERVICE IN AND LATER SERVED IN THE %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARD %$" FROM n (E WAS PART OF A SMALL GROUP THAT ESTABLISHED THE $EVELOPMENT "ANK OF 3INGAPORE $"3 WHERE HE SERVED FROM TO (E ENTERED POLITICS IN AND HELD A NUMBER OF #ABINET POSITIONS -INISTER FOR #ULTURE n -INISTER FOR #OMMUNITY $EVELOPMENT n -INISTER FOR .ATIONAL $EVELOPMENT n AND -INISTER FOR 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY n (E WAS ALSO #HAIRMAN OF 3INGAPORE !IRLINES FROM n
5NITED FOR #AMBODIA N $ECEMBER 6IETNAM INVADED #AMBODIA OVERTHREW THE 0OL 0OT REGIME OCCUPIED THE COUNTRY AND INSTALLED A PUPPET GOVERNMENT UNDER (ENG 3AMRIN 4HEREAFTER THE #AMBODIAN ISSUE BECAME A KEY ISSUE FOR THE -INISTRY )T ALSO BECAME THE CENTERPIECE OF !3%!. DIPLOMACY )T UNITED THE lVE !3%!. MEMBERS )NDONESIA -ALAYSIA 0HILIPPINES 3INGAPORE AND 4HAILAND IN A WAY THAT NO OTHER ISSUE HAD BEFORE ,ATER IN "RUNEI WAS FORMALLY ADMITTED TO BECOME THE !3%!. 3IXTH -EMBER !T EVERY 5NITED .ATIONS 5. AND .ON !LIGNED -OVEMENT .!- MEETING THE SPEECHES THE RESOLUTIONS THE mOOR MANOEUVERING AND DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION WERE FOCUSED ON CHALLENGING THE 6IETNAMESE OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA AND IN ISOLATING 6IETNAM FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 7E PRESENTED
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A COALITION OF THREE #AMBODIAN GROUPS LED RESPECTIVELY BY 0RINCE 3IHANOUK 3ON 3ANN +HIEU 3AMPHAN A +HMER 2OUGE LEADER AS THE LEGITIMATE REPRESENTATIVES OF #AMBODIA UNTIL THE PEOPLE OF #AMBODIA HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT NEW LEADERS UNDER 5. AUSPICES )T WAS A STRANGE SITUATION TO SAY THE LEAST 4HE WORLD ALREADY HAD A FAIRLY ACCURATE IDEA OF THE DEVELOPMENTS IN #AMBODIA BEFORE THE 6IETNAMESE INVASION 4HE MINDLESS BRUTALITY OF 0OL 0OT AND HIS FOLLOWERS AND THE DECIMATION OF #AMBODIAN SOCIETY CULTURE ECONOMY AND POPULATION BY HIS INSANE BRAND OF SOCIALISM WERE ALREADY KNOWN TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD 7E SHOULD HAVE WELCOMED THE OVERTHROW OF 0OL 0OT AND HIS THUGS 4O DEFEND THE 0OL 0OT REGIME STYLED THE $EMOCRATIC 2EPUBLIC OF +AMPUCHEA WAS REPUGNANT AND IMMORAL 4HE MORAL ISSUE TROUBLED MANY OF US "UT THERE WERE OTHER ISSUES AT PLAY 7HO HAS THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE THAT A GOVERNMENT OR REGIME IS EVIL AND OUGHT TO BE OVERTHROWN 4HE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY OR SOME OUTSIDE POWER 7E HELD AND STILL HOLD THE VIEW THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A PEOPLE TO DETERMINE WHO AND HOW THEY SHOULD BE GOVERNED AND THAT NO FOREIGN STATE HAS THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE WHAT OR WHICH IS A GOOD GOVERNMENT IN ANOTHER STATE 4HIS IS A VERY RECENT CONCEPT IN THE HISTORY OF RELATIONS BETWEEN STATES &OR MOST OF HISTORY IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT MIGHT IS RIGHT 4HIS LEFT SMALL STATES AT THE MERCY OF LARGER AND MORE POWERFUL STATES /VER THE 6IETNAMESE INVASION OF #AMBODIA THE !3%!. STATES VIEW WAS THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ALLOW A STATE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS GOOD FOR A NEIGHBOURING STATE 7E SYMPATHISED WITH AND ADMIRED THE 6IETNAMESE OVER THEIR LONG AND BITTER STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE "UT WE FOUND OURSELVES IMPLACABLY AGAINST THEM OVER #AMBODIA 7E HAD TO lND A WAY TO DEFEND THE PRINCIPLE OF SOVEREIGNTY WITHOUT DEFENDING 0OL 0OTS REGIME 4HUS WAS BORN THE COALITION OF NATIONALIST #AMBODIAN FORCES TO OPPOSE THE 6IETNAMESE OCCUPATION A COALITION IN WHICH THE 0OL 0OT GROUP STILL HAD A ROLE BUT NOT THE SOLE CONTROLLING ROLE
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) DO NOT WANT TO GO OVER HOW THE #AMBODIAN ISSUE EVOLVED AND HOW IT WAS RESOLVED 4HERE ARE OTHER WELL RESEARCHED WRITINGS OF SUCH AN ACCOUNT &OR ME A FEW SCENES STAND OUT WHICH ILLUSTRATE SOME OF THE ISSUES !3%!. HAD TO CONTEND WITH
-EETING THE 0OL 0OT ,EADERS 4HE lRST IS A MEETING IN IN A HOUSE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF "ANGKOK )T WAS OUR lRST MEETING WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE 0OL 0OT REGIME TO TELL THEM SOME FACTS OF LIFE !T THE MEETING WERE THE 4HAI &OREIGN -INISTER 5PADIT 0ACHARIYANGKUN AND THE 3INGAPORE &OREIGN -INISTER 3 2AJARATNAM ) WAS THERE AS THE 3ENIOR -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS 4HE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 0OL 0OT REGIME WERE +HEIU 3AMPHAN )ENG 3ARY AND HIS WIFE )ENG 4HIRITH WHO WAS A LEADER IN HER OWN RIGHT 7E MET TO TELL THEM THAT THOUGH WE WERE OPPOSED TO THE 6IETNAMESE INVASION OF #AMBODIA WE COULD NOT SUPPORT THE REINSTALLATION OF THE 0OL 0OT REGIME 7E AND THE WORLD WOULD BE REPELLED BY SUCH A SUGGESTION 4HEY HAD TO AGREE TO OTHER #AMBODIAN GROUPS BEING INCLUDED IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE 6IETNAMESE AND THAT IN SUCH A COALITION THEY COULD NOT HAVE KEY ROLES )T WAS THE lRST TIME THAT ) HAD COME FACE TO FACE WITH THE NOTORIOUS HENCHMAN OF 0OL 0OT +HEIU 3AMPHAN HAD A QUIETER DEMEANOR THAN )ENG 3ARY (E WAS SOFT SPOKEN AND MAINTAINED THE HINT OF A SMILE MOST OF THE TIME )N ANOTHER LIFE AND IN ANOTHER PLACE ) COULD WELL IMAGINE HIM TO BE A LIKEABLE PERSON )ENG 3ARY WAS A MORE OILY CHARACTER ALTERNATING BETWEEN A STERN FACE AND A lXED SMILE (E LOOKED THE MORE DANGEROUS OF THE TWO THOUGH ) NOTICED THAT WHEN ) SHOOK HIS HAND IT WAS SOFT AND HARDLY HAD THE TEXTURE OF A GUERILLA lGHTER (IS WIFE )ENG 4HIRITH WAS STOUT STONY FACED AND SILENT MOST OF THE TIME )ENG 3ARY TRIED TO ARGUE THAT THEY WERE TRUE #AMBODIAN PATRIOTS THE INNOCENT AND INJURED PARTY AND THAT THEY DESERVED THE SUPPORT OF !3%!.
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-INISTER 2AJARATNAM REMINDED THEM OF THE HORRORS THEY HAD PERPETRATED AND THAT THEY HAD NO CHANCE OF GETTING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT WITHOUT FORMING A COALITION WITH OTHER NATIONALIST GROUPS 4HEY HAD TO TAKE A BACK SEAT IN GATHERING SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD 4HEY HAD TO INCLUDE 0RINCE 3IHANOUKS GROUP WITH THE 0RINCE AS THE (EAD OF THE COALITION 4HEY ALSO HAD TO INCLUDE 3ON 3ANNS GROUP WITH 3ON 3ANN AS THE 0RIME -INISTER (E MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE 0OL 0OT GROUP COULD NOT HAVE PROMINENT ROLES IN THE COALITION )ENG 3ARY WANTED A MORE PROMINENT ROLE AND EVEN SUGGESTED HIMSELF AS &OREIGN -INISTER IN THE COALITION )T WAS UNREAL 7HILE THIS DISCUSSION WAS GOING ON ) OBSERVED THAT )ENG 3ARYS WIFE )ENG 4HIRITH WAS GIVING lERCE LOOKS AT OUR -INISTER BOILING WITH ANGER BREATHING HEAVILY WITH CHEST HEAVING AND SUBSIDING AS SHE LISTENED TO HER HUSBANDS REQUESTS BEING REJECTED 3HE WOULD HAVE DONE WELL IN A MELODRAMATIC 4AMIL lLM (ER ANGER WAS SO PALPABLE THAT ) HAD NO DOUBT THAT THE FEMALE OF THE 0OL 0OT SPECIES WAS THE MORE DANGEROUS ONE )T WAS A LONG AND ENERVATING MEETING 7E PREVAILED BECAUSE THEY HAD NO CHOICE 7E THUS COBBLED TOGETHER A COALITION UNDER 0RINCE 3IHANOUK 7E HAD NO IDEA AT THAT TIME WHETHER THE COALITION WOULD LAST AND WHAT ROLE IT WOULD HAVE IN THE lNAL RESOLUTION OF THE #AMBODIAN PROBLEM
0ERSUADING 02# 4HE NEXT SCENE IS SET IN THE SMALL CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE 3INGAPORE -ISSION TO THE 5. IN .EW 9ORK )T WAS IN DURING THE SPECIAL )NTERNATIONAL #ONFERENCE ON #AMBODIA 4HE CONFERENCE WAS TO SETTLE THE OUTLINES OF A SOLUTION TO THE #AMBODIAN ISSUE !3%!. HAD BEEN LOBBYING FOR A RESOLUTION THAT WOULD CALL FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF 6IETNAMESE FORCES FROM #AMBODIA AFTER WHICH THE 5. WOULD SUPERVISE ELECTIONS FOR THE #AMBODIANS TO CHOOSE THEIR LEADERS $ESPITE THE CYNICISM WITH WHICH INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ARE USUALLY CONDUCTED IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY
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WOULD BE REPELLED BY ANY CALL FOR THE 0OL 0OT REGIME TO BE REINSTATED "OTH MORAL AND PRAGMATIC REASONS WERE AGAINST SUCH A CALL 4HE 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINAS 02# VIEW AS REPRESENTED BY ITS DELEGATION TO THE CONFERENCE WAS THAT THE OVERTHROWN 0OL 0OT REGIME SHOULD BE REINSTATED )N OTHER WORDS THERE SHOULD BE A RETURN TO THE STATUS QUO ANTE AS ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE A REWARD FOR 6IETNAMESE AGGRESSION 4HE 02# DELEGATION LED BY $EPUTY &OREIGN -INISTER (AN .IAN ,ONG ASKED FOR A MEETING WITH THE 3INGAPORE DELEGATION ) WAS THEN THE &OREIGN -INISTER AND LED THE 3INGAPORE DELEGATION TO THE CONFERENCE !T THE MEETING THE LEADER OF THE 02# DELEGATION IN A VERY STERN ACCUSATORY TONE SAID THAT HE KNEW WHAT 3INGAPORE WAS UP TO AT THE MEETING (E IMPLIED THAT WE WERE ENGAGED IN A SECRET CONSPIRACY TO SHAPE THE SENTIMENT AT THE CONFERENCE AGAINST THE RETURN OF THE OVERTHROWN REGIME (E ALSO IMPLIED THAT WE WERE WORKING AGAINST THE 02#S INTERESTS 7E DID NOT HAVE TO INmUENCE THE DELEGATIONS AGAINST THE RETURN OF 0OL 0OT 7E WERE WORKING A GROUND THAT ALREADY VIEWED THE 0OL 0OT REGIME WITH ABHORRENCE ) TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THE SENTIMENT AT THE CONFERENCE WOULD NOT SUPPORT WHAT THE 02# DELEGATION WANTED ) CUT NO ICE WITH HIM AND IN AN AGGRESSIVE TONE STATED CLEARLY HIS DELEGATIONS VIEW AND LEFT THE MEETING (AN WAS AN IMPRESSIVE CHARACTER WITH GOOD LOOKS A CLEAR AND LOUD VOICE AND A LORDLY PERSONALITY (E WAS FOND OF HOLDING A FOLDING FAN WHICH ADDED A DRAMATIC TOUCH TO HIS PERSONA !LMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS MEETING THE 53 !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY OF 3TATE FOR %AST !SIA AND 0ACIlC *OHN (OLDRIDGE WHO WAS THE DEPUTY LEADER OF THE 53 DELEGATION TO THE CONFERENCE ASKED TO MEET ME 4HE 3INGAPORE DELEGATION AND ) MET HIM AND HIS AIDES IN THE SAME CONFERENCE ROOM AT THE OFlCE OF THE 3INGAPORE -ISSION TO THE 5. (E OBVIOUSLY KNEW OF MY EARLIER MEETING WITH THE 02# DELEGATION (E MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE SHOULD GIVE THE 02# POSITION SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND NOT DO ANYTHING TO UPSET THE 02# ) WAS SURPRISED TO NOTE HOW KEEN THE 53 WAS TO ACCOMMODATE THE 02#S REQUEST ) EXPLAINED TO THE 53 !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY OF 3TATE THAT IT
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WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO ACCEDE TO THE 02#S REQUEST AS IT WAS WRONG AND WOULD ALSO NOT GET ANY SUPPORT FROM THE CONFERENCE (E ENDED THE MEETING BY THREATENING THAT HE WOULD GO OVER MY HEAD AND TAKE THE MATTER UP WITH 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW IN 3INGAPORE ) DO NOT KNOW WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE HE EXPECTED FROM ME ) TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS FREE TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTED 4HE NOTES OF THE MEETINGS WERE SENT TO THE &OREIGN -INISTRY (1 IN 3INGAPORE AND TO THE 0- 0- ,EE SENT A NOTE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE &OREIGN -INISTER REPRESENTED THE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENTS POSITION AT THE CONFERENCE )T WAS A REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE FOR ME THAT INTERESTS AND NOT PRINCIPLES DETERMINE THE ACTIONS OF BIG POWERS 4HE )NTERNATIONAL #ONFERENCE ON #AMBODIA ADOPTED A RESOLUTION THAT REmECTED !3%!.S POSITION
.EXT 9EAR IN 0HNOM 0ENH 4HE LAST SCENE THAT IS ETCHED IN MY MIND IS THE ANNUAL DINNER IN .EW 9ORK IN THE S THAT THE !3%!. &OREIGN -INISTERS CO HOSTED FOR 0RINCE 3IHANOUK 4HE ANNUAL 5.'! MEETING IN 3EPTEMBER WAS A TIME OF INTENSE LOBBYING ON THE #AMBODIAN ISSUE 6IETNAM AND ITS ALLIES TRIED EVERY YEAR TO UNSEAT THE #AMBODIAN DELEGATION LED BY 3IHANOUK BUT THEY NEVER SUCCEEDED )N THE MIDST OF ALL THIS FRENETIC ACTIVITY THE !3%!. DELEGATIONS INDULGED IN A LITTLE SOCIAL RESPITE AND HOSTED A DINNER FOR 0RINCE 3IHANOUK 0RINCESS -ONIQUE AND KEY MEMBERS OF HIS GROUP /N THE !3%!. SIDE WERE THE &OREIGN -INISTERS AND SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE !3%!. DELEGATIONS TO THE 5.'! )T WAS A TIME OF LIGHT CONVERSATION REMINISCENCE AND SOME BRAVE TALK ABOUT HOW WELL WE WERE DOING IN ISOLATING THE 6IETNAMESE ON THE #AMBODIAN ISSUE 7E USED TO TOAST TO A FREE #AMBODIA AND SOME OF US EVEN TOASTED hNEXT YEAR IN 0HNOM 0ENHv THUS SUMMARIZING OUR HOPES )T REMINDED ME OF THE *EWS IN THE $IASPORA TOASTING hNEXT YEAR IN *ERUSALEMv FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS 4HE THOUGHT OF THE CENTURIES THE *EWS WAITED FOR THIS TO COME TRUE GAVE ME LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT
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!S WE QUIETED OUR FEARS AND DRANK TOASTS AT THESE DINNERS WITH 0RINCE 3IHANOUK THE FACTS ON THE GROUND LOOKED BLEAK 4HE ORDINARY #AMBODIANS WERE OBVIOUSLY GLAD TO SEE THE END OF 0OL 0OT EVEN THOUGH THEY RESENTED THEIR NEW 6IETNAMESE MASTERS 4HE 6IETNAMESE WERE CONSOLIDATING THEIR POSITION 4HE lRST PUPPET (ENG 3AMRIN PROBABLY SHOWED A LITTLE TOO MUCH INDEPENDENCE AND WAS REMOVED ! NEW MAN (UN 3EN MORE ACCOMMODATING TO THE 6IETNAMESE INTERESTS WAS INSTALLED IN POWER 4HE RAIDS MOUNTED BY 3IHANOUKS COALITION FORCES AGAINST (UN 3ENS FORCES WERE NEVER REALLY THREATENING TO THE NEW REGIME IN 0HNOM 0ENH 4HE 02# AFTER ITS PUNISHMENT EXPEDITION AGAINST 6IETNAM IN HAD WITHDRAWN ITS MILITARY FORCES TO FOCUS ON ITS MODERNISATION PROGRAMME 4HE 3OVIET 5NION 6IETNAMS PATRONS WAS WORKING TOWARDS ESTABLISHING A MILITARY BASE IN 6IETNAM )T LOOKED UNLIKELY THAT THE 6IETNAMESE FORCES WOULD EVER WITHDRAW FROM #AMBODIA OR THAT THERE WOULD EVER BE AN ELECTION IN #AMBODIA FOR THE PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR CHOICE OF RULERS
#ONCLUSION .EVERTHELESS !3%!. AND 3INGAPORE PERSISTED IN DENYING 6IETNAM INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF ITS ACTIONS IN #AMBODIA AND MADE 6IETNAMS CONSOLIDATION OF ITS POSITION IN #AMBODIA AS COSTLY AS POSSIBLE 7E PERSISTED NOT BECAUSE WE WERE CERTAIN OF THE lNAL OUTCOME 7E DID NOT HAVE BLIND FAITH IN THE INEVITABILITY OF HISTORY 7E KEPT FOCUSED ON THE NEXT STEP BEFORE US AND DID NOT LET THE DISTANCE TO THE DESTINATION DISHEARTEN US 7E HAD NO INKLING OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE 3OVIET %MPIRE AND THE END OF THE 3OVIETS PATRONAGE OF 6IETNAM WHICH CHANGED 6IETNAMS POSITION ON #AMBODIA &ORCES OF HISTORY IN AN UNANTICIPATED WAY RESOLVED THE #AMBODIAN PROBLEM h.EXT YEAR IN 0HNOM 0ENHv CAME WITHIN 3IHANOUKS LIFE
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#ONTINUITY AND #HANGE IN 3INGAPORES &OREIGN 0OLICY -R 7/.' +AN 3ENG IS THE -INISTER FOR (OME !FFAIRS ,EADER OF THE (OUSE OF 0ARLIAMENT AND $EPUTY #HAIRMAN OF THE 0EOPLES !SSOCIATION (E IS ALSO THE -INISTER IN CHARGE OF POPULATION MATTERS AND THE #HAIRMAN OF THE -INISTERIAL #OMMITTEE ON HOMEFRONT EMERGENCIES (E WAS THE -INISTER FOR #OMMUNITY $EVELOPMENT FROM TO )N HE WAS THE 3ECOND -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS &ROM TO HE WAS THE -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS (E IS ALSO A -EMBER OF THE ,ONDON "USINESS 3CHOOL !DVISORY "OARD
! 'OOD 3TART ORMER -INISTER 2AJARATNAM RECALLED THAT IN AFTER SEPARATION FROM -ALAYSIA 0RIME -INISTER 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW CALLED HIM AND TOLD HIM THAT 3INGAPORE NOW NEEDED A &OREIGN -INISTER AND THAT HE HAD BEEN CHOSEN !S THE NEW &OREIGN -INISTER HE WAS GOING TO BE INTERVIEWED BY THE PRESS IN A FEW DAYS TIME SO HE ASKED THEN 0- ,EE WHAT 3INGAPORES FOREIGN POLICY SHOULD BE 4HE 0RIME -INISTER REPLIED h2AJA YOU HAD BETTER WEAR A TIE AND A LOUNGE SUIT 4HATS MOST IMPORTANT 4HEN AFTER THAT YOU JUST SAY WHAT COMES TO THE TOP OF YOUR HEADv ) AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT ) WAS SPARED SUCH A TRAUMATIC START ) WAS FORTUNATE TO INHERIT AN ACCUMMULATED BODY OF WISDOM EXPERIENCE AND ESTABLISHED POLICY FROM MY PREDECESSORS &ROM ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS THE FOREIGN SERVICE HAS ALSO ACQUIRED GREATER PROFESSIONALISM AND THE FOREIGN POLICY MAKING PROCESS IS TODAY MORE
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4HIS TEXT IS TAKEN FROM THE SPEECH BY -R 7ONG +AN 3ENG -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND -INISTER FOR #OMMUNITY $EVELOPMENT TO THE 3INGAPORE 0RESS #LUB ON .OVEMBER AT PM AT ,ES /ISEAUX -ARINA -ANDARIN
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INSTITUTIONALISED /F COURSE COMPARED WITH MORE ESTABLISHED &OREIGN -INISTRIES WE STILL HAVE A VERY SMALL STAFF AND ARE STILL LEARNING
3INGAPORES .ATIONAL )NTERESTS 2UNNING FOREIGN POLICY ON A SHOESTRING REQUIRES A CLEAR SENSE OF PRIORITIES IN ORDER TO MAKE BEST USE OF LIMITED RESOURCES 4HE CRITERION IS ALWAYS 3INGAPORES NATIONAL INTEREST 4HE OBJECT IS TO IDENTIFY THE REAL INTEREST AND lND MEANS OF PURSUING IT GIVEN THE INHERENT AND INESCAPABLE LIMITATIONS OF A SMALL STATE WHOSE ABILITY TO SHAPE ITS ENVIRONMENT IS NECESSARILY CONSTRAINED 4O RECOGNISE LIMITATIONS IS NOT TO BE PASSIVE .O STATE IS ENTIRELY FREE OF EXTERNAL CONSTRAINTS .O STATE IS TOTALLY RESTRICTED BY CIRCUMSTANCES "ETWEEN WHAT PRESENTLY EXISTS AND WHAT MUST ULTIMATELY BE ACCEPTED LIES A MARGIN OF POSSIBILITIES 7E OPERATE IN THAT MARGIN 4O DO SO THERE IS A CONTINUING NEED FOR ALERTNESS AND mEXIBILITY IN 3INGAPORES DIPLOMACY OR AS SOME WOULD SAY FOR NIMBLE FOOTWORK 4HE RESULTS OF OVER TWO DECADES OF NIMBLE FOOTWORK TRIAL AND ERROR AND A BIT OF SHEER LUCK HAVE BEEN THREE MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH ARE ALSO 3INGAPORES PERMANENT NATIONAL INTERESTS 4HESE ARE I THE PROTECTION OF 3INGAPORES SOVEREIGNTY AND INDEPENDENCE II THE FOSTERING OF !3%!. COOPERATION AND III THE MAINTENANCE OF A STABLE BALANCE OF POWER IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA 3INGAPORES PERMANENT NATIONAL INTERESTS ARE NOT THE PERSONAL WHIMS OF INDIVIDUAL -INISTERS OR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY 4HESE INTERESTS ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR CONTINUED PEACE AND PROGRESS )RRESPECTIVE OF WHOEVER HOLDS THE OFlCE OF &OREIGN -INISTER THEY WILL ALWAYS REMAIN 3INGAPORES BASIC INTERESTS ,ET ME ELABORATE ON THESE PERMANENT NATIONAL INTERESTS
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3OVEREIGNTY AND ,EGITIMACY &IRSTLY 3INGAPORE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AS A SOVEREIGN AND LEGITIMATE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 4HIS MAY NOT SEEM VERY MUCH BUT SMALL COUNTRIES CAN NEVER TAKE THEIR SOVEREIGNTY FOR GRANTED )NDEED GIVEN THE ORIGINS OF INDEPENDENT 3INGAPORE IT IS A CONSIDERABLE ACHIEVEMENT 0ERHAPS THE POINT WOULD BE CLEARER IF ) ASK YOU TO TRY AND IMAGINE AN INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM THAT DID NOT CONTAIN AN INDEPENDENT 5NITED 3TATES OF !MERICA OR AN INDEPENDENT 3OVIET 5NION 4HIS IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE "ARRING A NUCLEAR CATASTROPHE IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER THE 5NITED 3TATES AND THE 3OVIET 5NION WILL ALWAYS EXIST "UT THERE IS NO DIFlCULTY IMAGINING AN INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM WITHOUT A SMALL COUNTRY LIKE 3INGAPORE !NYONE BORN IN 3INGAPORE OVER THE AGE OF THIRTY HAS HELD THREE CITIZENSHIPS IN HIS OR HER LIFETIME "RITISH SUBJECT -ALAYSIAN CITIZEN AND NOW 3INGAPOREAN 7E HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE WILL STOP AT THREE 4HE VULNERABILITY OF SMALL STATES IS A FACT OF LIFE 3INGAPORES INDEPENDENT EXISTENCE IS TODAY WIDELY RECOGNISED "UT TO ASSURE OUR BASIC SECURITY WE CAN NEVER ALLOW TESTS TO OUR SOVEREIGNTY AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS EVEN WHEN WELL INTENTIONED TO GO UNCHALLENGED %VEN TODAY WE HAVE HAD OCCASIONALLY TO REMIND OTHER COUNTRIES TO LEAVE US ALONE TO BE OURSELVES
!3%!. #OOPERATION 3ECONDLY WE ENJOY GOOD RELATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA AND WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF !3%!. )T IS EASY TO BE CYNICAL ABOUT !3%!. OR TO TAKE IT FOR GRANTED 4HIS IS A MISTAKE )TS EMERGENCE AS A VIABLE AND CREDIBLE REGIONAL ORGANISATION IS UNIQUE IN THE 4HIRD 7ORLD 'OOD RELATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS AND !3%!.S SUCCESS HAVE ASSURED US A STABLE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND HAVE ALLOWED US TO CHANNEL OUR ENERGIES AND RESOURCES INTO DEVELOPMENT
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AND TO CREATING A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR PEOPLE 4HIS TOO IS NOT TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED 3OUTH EAST !SIA IS A STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT REGION MADE UP OF DIVERSE COUNTRIES (ISTORICALLY THE CHARACTERISTIC DYNAMIC OF 3OUTH EAST !SIA HAS BEEN CONmICT )N WHEN 3INGAPORE BECAME INDEPENDENT EVERY MEMBER OF !3%!. WAS AT LOGGERHEADS WITH SOME OTHER MEMBERS OF !3%!. 4ODAY THE POTENTIALLY MOST DIVISIVE DISPUTES OF THE S )NDONESIAS CONFRONTATION OF -ALAYSIA AND 3INGAPORE THE 0HILIPPINES CLAIM TO 3ABAH THE 4HAI -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA 0HILIPPINES BORDER DISPUTES AND THE SEPARATION OF -ALAYSIA AND 3INGAPORE HAVE ALL BECOME IRRELEVANT OR HAVE BEEN CONSIDERABLY MUTED 4HIS IS SOMETHING THAT 3INGAPORE AND EVERY MEMBER OF !3%!. CAN CONGRATULATE OURSELVES FOR )N 3OUTH EAST !SIA STABILITY IS NOT A NATURAL STATE OF AFFAIRS BUT THE RESULT OF CONSCIOUS POLICY DECISIONS %VERY MEMBER OF !3%!. HAS HAD TO WORK HARD TO SEEK ACCOMMODATION AND COMPROMISE AND AT TIMES MAKE CONSIDERABLE SACRIlCES TO ENSURE PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION 7ITHOUT !3%!. LIFE FOR 3INGAPORE WOULD BE FAR MORE UNCOMFORTABLE
3TABILITY IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA 4HIRDLY DESPITE THE !MERICAN WITHDRAWAL FROM MAINLAND 3OUTH EAST !SIA AND THE FALL OF )NDOCHINA TO THE COMMUNISTS A STABLE STRATEGIC BALANCE OF POWER HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA 4HE 6IETNAMESE INVASION OF #AMBODIA IN WAS A RUDE REMINDER OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF INSTABILITY IN THE REGIONAL STRATEGIC BALANCE THREATENING 4HAI SECURITY AND THROUGH 4HAILAND !3%!.S COHESION "UT THE NON COMMUNIST STATES OF THE REGION QUICKLY RECOVERED FROM THE INITIAL SHOCKS HELD TOGETHER AND FORGED AHEAD 4HAILAND IN IS A VERY DIFFERENT COUNTRY FROM 4HAILAND IN OR POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY MORE ROBUST AND MORE CONlDENT 4HE THRUST OF 6IETNAMESE MILITARY EXPANSIONISM HAS BEEN BLUNTED )N #AMBODIA
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THE 6IETNAMESE HAVE LEARNT THAT MILITARY FORCE IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO EVERY PROBLEM AND ARE NOW LOOKING FOR A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT THAT WILL GIVE THEM AN HONOURABLE WAY OUT 4HESE OUTCOMES WERE NOT PREORDAINED )T IS DIFlCULT TODAY TO RECALL HOW BLEAK THE PROSPECTS SEEMED IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF THE EVENTS OF n 4HAT WE HAVE TO STRAIN OUR MEMORIES IS ITSELF A MEASURE OF SUCCESS 4HE 53 HAS REMAINED AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THE 3OUTH EAST !SIAN BALANCE OF POWER WITH IMPORTANT PERMANENT INTERESTS IN THE REGION 4HE 53 IS AND WILL REMAIN AN IMPORTANT STABILISING INmUENCE )N THIS RESPECT THE ELECTION OF 'EORGE "USH AS 0RESIDENT OF THE 5NITED 3TATES PROVIDES A WELCOME AND REASSURING DIMENSION OF CONTINUITY 4HE &IVE 0OWER $EFENCE !RRANGEMENTS &0$! TOO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE EFFORT TO MAINTAIN REGIONAL STABILITY ) CANNOT AND DO NOT CLAIM THAT 3INGAPORE ALONE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STABILISATION OF THE 3OUTH EAST !SIAN STRATEGIC BALANCE 4HE MAIN PLAYERS ARE IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE !N HONEST ASSESSMENT MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS PARTLY THE RESULT OF GOOD FORTUNE "UT IT WAS NOT ONLY A MATTER OF LUCK -AINTAINING A STABLE STRATEGIC BALANCE IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA WAS VITAL AS WITHOUT IT WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEVELOP AND PROSPER !S A SMALL STATE OUR CAPABILITIES ARE LIMITED "UT WHEN OUR VITAL INTERESTS ARE ENGAGED IT IS NOT 3INGAPORES PRACTICE MERELY TO ACQUIESCE IN EVENTS OR TRUST IN THE BENEVOLENCE OF THE GODS OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS OR AWAIT A FAVOURABLE CONJUGATION OF THE PLANETS 7E ADOPTED A PRAGMATIC POLICY OF WORKING WITH ANY STATE IRRESPECTIVE OF IDEOLOGY WHOSE INTERESTS COINCIDED WITH OUR OWN 4OGETHER WITH OUR !3%!. PARTNERS THE &0$! AND OTHER COUNTRIES WITH WHOM WE SHARED COMMON INTERESTS 3INGAPORE DID WHAT IT COULD TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMON DEFENCE TO ENCOURAGE A CONTINUED 53 PRESENCE TO BOLSTER 4HAI SECURITY AND TO PREVENT A MILITARY FAIT ACCOMPLI IN #AMBODIA ) DO NOT THINK IT WOULD BE UNREALISTIC OR IMMODEST FOR US TO CLAIM AT LEAST A SMALL PORTION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HAPPY OUTCOME
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%VENTS ARE STILL UNFOLDING )N THE YEARS AHEAD WE WILL HAVE TO lND NEW WAYS OF PROTECTING AND ADVANCING WHAT ) HAVE IDENTIlED AS 3INGAPORES PERMANENT NATIONAL INTERESTS UNDER NEW CIRCUMSTANCES
-ANAGING 0OLITICAL 4RANSITION )N 3OUTH EAST !SIA EVERY MEMBER OF !3%!. IS UNDERGOING POLITICAL CHANGE 4HE CHANGES ARE NOT MERELY OF LEADERS BUT OF ENTIRE POLITICAL GENERATIONS 4HESE TRANSITIONS ARE INEVITABLE %ACH !3%!. COUNTRY IS MANAGING POLITICAL CHANGE IN ITS OWN WAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS OWN CULTURE AND POLITICAL TRADITIONS 4HERE IS NO REASON TO DOUBT THAT THESE TRANSITIONS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL "UT BY THEIR VERY NATURE THE OUTCOME OF SUCH PROCESSES CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED 4HE TRANSITIONS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY WILL HAVE PROFOUND CONSEQUENCES FOR THE REGION )T IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT SUCCESSOR GENERATIONS WHO HAVE NO MEMORIES OF PAST CONmICTS DO NOT TAKE THE STABILITY AND PEACE OF THE LAST TWENTY YEARS FOR GRANTED !S 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO TOLD THE 4HIRD !3%!. 3UMMIT IN -ANILA LAST YEAR h 4O FORGE AN !3%!. SENSE OF COHESIVENESS IN A WIDER PUBLIC PARTICULARLY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS !3%!. MUST BE ABLE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF !3%!. COHESIVENESS SO THAT IT WILL ALWAYS COMMONLY BELONG TO THE SOCIETY AGE AFTER AGEv 4HE UNCERTAINTIES UNDERSCORE THE NEED TO FORGE PERSONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL LINKS AT ALL LEVELS WITH THE !3%!. COUNTRIES BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED )N AN UNCERTAIN WORLD !3%!. IS THE ROCK ON WHICH WE MUST ANCHOR OUR NATIONAL SURVIVAL AND PROGRESS -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA ARE OF SPECIAL SIGNIlCANCE TO 3INGAPORE 4HE YOUNGER LEADERS IN 3INGAPORE HAVE CONSCIOUSLY WORKED TOWARDS MAINTAINING THE PRAGMATIC WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS ENJOYED BY OLDER LEADERS AND EVENTUALLY DEVELOPING THEIR OWN CLOSE PERSONAL TIES BASED ON CONlDENCE AND TRUST
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2EFORMIST #OMMUNISM #HINA AND THE 3OVIET 5NION &ARTHER AlELD EXCITING CHANGES ARE UNDERWAY IN #HINA AND THE 3OVIET 5NION 4HE ATTEMPTS BY -R $ENG 8IAOPING AND -R -IKHAIL 'ORBACHEV TO REFORM THEIR COMMUNIST SYSTEMS AND TO NORMALISE RELATIONS BETWEEN THEIR COUNTRIES ARE AMONG THE MOST SIGNIlCANT DEVELOPMENTS OF THE POST WAR PERIOD 4HE PROCESS IS WELL ADVANCED IN #HINA AND SLOWLY GAINING MOMENTUM IN THE 3OVIET 5NION 4HE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE MOMENTOUS 2EFORMIST COMMUNISM HAS ALREADY BROUGHT A GREATER CALM TO INTERNATIONAL POLITICS !LTHOUGH WE DO NOT HAVE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA 02# AND DO NOT INTEND TO HAVE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS UNTIL OUR CLOSE NEIGHBOUR HAS DONE SO ECONOMIC LINKS WITH #HINA ARE ESTABLISHED /UR RELATIONS WITH THE 3OVIET 5NION ARE CORRECT (OWEVER 0ERESTROIKA AND 'LASNOST ARE OPENING THE DOOR FOR BETTER POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC TIES WITH THE 3OVIET 5NION AND %AST %UROPE 4HE RESOLUTION OF REGIONAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS #AMBODIA WILL CREATE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTENDING RELATIONS !T THE SAME TIME A NEW REGIONAL POLITICAL AND STRATEGIC EQUATION MAY DEVELOP OUT OF 3INO 3OVIET NORMALISATION WHICH COULD CHANGE THE 3OUTH EAST !SIAN STRATEGIC LANDSCAPE IN WAYS THAT WHILE NOT NECESSARILY NEGATIVE ARE STILL UNCERTAIN "UT WE ARE NOT FROZEN IN OUR ATTITUDE AND WILL RESPOND APPROPRIATELY WHEN POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS ARE CLEARER 7E WISH -R $ENG 8IAOPING AND -R 'ORBACHEV WELL IN THEIR BOLD ECONOMIC EXPERIMENTS )T IS IN OUR INTEREST THAT THEY SUCCEED "UT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT WHILE THE RELEVANCE OF -ARXISM IS BEING QUESTIONED ,ENINISM IS ALIVE AND WELL ,ENINISM IS NOT AN UTOPIAN IDEOLOGY BUT A BLUEPRINT FOR SEIZING AND MAINTAINING POWER 4HE RULING COMMUNIST PARTIES OF BOTH #HINA AND THE 3OVIET 5NION WILL NOT RELINQUISH THEIR CONTROL OVER THESE COUNTRIES 3IMILARLY THE -#0 THE #04 AND THE REMNANTS OF THE 0+) ARE CLINGING TO
-ALAYAN #OMMUNIST 0ARTY #OMMUNIST 0ARTY OF 4HAILAND )NDONESIAN #OMMUNIST 0ARTY
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THEIR DREAMS OF POWER IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA !S #HINA AND THE 3OVIET 5NION ARE TURNING INWARD 3OUTH EAST !SIAN COMMUNISTS ARE LOOKING ELSEWHERE FOR AID AND INSPIRATION )N THE 0HILIPPINES THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THE .0! IS RECEIVING AID AND SUPPORT FROM VARIOUS GROUPS IN SOME WESTERN COUNTRIES )N 3INGAPORE LOCAL -ARXISTS ALSO HAD LINKS WITH AND TRIED TO EMULATE THE .0! USING CHURCH AND SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS AS THEIR COVER AND RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM OUTSIDE 3INGAPORE 4HERE IS A CONTINUAL NEED FOR ALERTNESS AND lRMNESS IN BOTH OUR FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC POLICIES
.EWLY )NDUSTRIALISING %CONOMIES !S THE REGION AND THE WORLD CHANGE 3INGAPORE IS ALSO EVOLVING 7E HAVE NOW COME TO BE CLASSIlED AS ONE OF THE NEWLY INDUSTRALISING ECONOMIES .)%S TOGETHER WITH 3OUTH +OREA 4AIWAN AND (ONG +ONG 4HE COLOURFUL IMAGERY OF THE h&OUR 4IGERSv OR h&OUR $RAGONSv HAS MESMERISED POLICY MAKERS AND JOURNALISTS IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES INTO TREATING 3INGAPORE IN A SIMPLISTIC MANNER LUMPING IT WITH THE VERY DIFFERENT ECONOMIES OF 3OUTH +OREA 4AIWAN AND (ONG +ONG 4HE EVOCATIVE LABELS THAT HAVE BEEN USED TO DESCRIBE THE !SIAN .)%S &OUR 4IGERS &OUR $RAGONS ,ITTLE *APANS CONVEY THE MIXTURE OF ADMIRATION AND SUSPICION BOTH OFTEN EQUALLY MISPLACED WITH WHICH THEY ARE REGARDED "UT THERE ARE OBVIOUS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND THE OTHER .)%S 4HE PRINCIPAL DIFFERENCE IS THAT 3INGAPORE IS A SOVEREIGN STATE THAT FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES HAS ACCEPTED THE OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY IT IS AN OPEN FREE MARKET ECONOMY THAT PLAYS BY THE RULES 7E HAVE URGED THE .)%S TO LIVE UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DONE OUR PART 7E DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY
.EW 0EOPLES !RMY
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TO PLAY A LEADING ROLE BUT CAN AND HAVE NUDGED EVENTS ALONG 7E SHALL GLADLY CONSULT WITH THE .)%S AND DEVELOPED COUNTRIES ON THE SMOOTH INTEGRATION OF EMERGENT ECONOMIES INTO THE /%#$ ECONOMIC GRID "UT WE SHALL NOT ACCEPT ARBITRARY POLITICAL PRESSURE AND WE SHALL EXPECT DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TO LIVE UP TO THEIR OWN PROFESSED STANDARDS OF FREE AND FAIR TRADE
#OLLECTIVE 3ECURITY 3INGAPORES CONTRIBUTION NEED NOT BE SOLELY ECONOMIC 0OWER RELATIONSHIPS ARE BEING REORDERED IN THE !SIA 0ACIlC REGION 3INGAPORES NATIONAL DEFENCE CAPABILITY IS MAKING A MODEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE SECURITY OF 3OUTH EAST !SIA 7E BELIEVE THAT A 3INGAPORE CAPABLE OF DEFENDING ITSELF IS NECESSARY FOR REGIONAL SECURITY )T CAN COOPERATE WITH AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE SECURITY OF OUR NEIGHBOURS !S OUR DEFENCE FORCES EVOLVE AND POLITICAL RELATIONSHIPS MATURE IT BECOMES POSSIBLE TO EXPLORE NEW WAYS FOR REGIONAL STATES TO CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL SECURITY IN RESPONSE TO THE CHANGING STRATEGIC EQUATION AMONG THE MAJOR POWERS ,IVING CHEEK BY JOWL WITH EACH OTHER THE SECURITY OF 3INGAPORE -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA IS INDIVISIBLE 4HAILANDS SECURITY AFFECTS ALL OF US AS WELL !3%!. IS NOT A SECURITY ORGANISATION "UT THERE COULD BE MORE BILATERAL MILITARY EXERCISES WHICH OVER THE LONG TERM COULD BE EXPANDED TO BECOME OVERLAPPING TRILATERAL EXERCISES 4HERE MAY PERHAPS ALSO BE A NEED TO EXPLORE MORE BROADLY BASED MEANS OF CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMON DEFENCE
#AMBODIA ) HAVE LEFT #AMBODIA TO THE LAST BECAUSE THERE IS A MISPERCEPTION THAT 3INGAPORES FOREIGN POLICY IS ONLY THE #AMBODIAN PROBLEM 7HAT
/RGANISATION FOR %CONOMIC #OOPERATION AND $EVELOPMENT
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) HAVE TRIED TO DO TODAY IS TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF THE BROAD RANGE OF 3INGAPORES FOREIGN POLICY PREOCCUPATIONS AND SEE #AMBODIA IN PERSPECTIVE 4HE #AMBODIAN SITUATION HAS ENTERED A MORE mUID PHASE 4HE 3OVIET 5NION AND #HINA ARE DISCUSSING #AMBODIA SERIOUSLY 4HE 3INO 3OVIET DISCUSSIONS ARE OPAQUE BUT IT IS EVIDENT THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE DISPLAYED NEW mEXIBILITY 6IETNAM IS COMING TO REALISE THAT IF IT IS TO REFORM ITS ECONOMY THERE MUST BE A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT 0RINCE 3IHANOUK HAS HAD THREE ROUNDS OF TALKS WITH (UN 3EN AND ALTHOUGH THE LAST WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT THE CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION REMAINS OPEN )N 3OUTH EAST !SIA 6IETNAM THE #AMBODIAN FACTIONS AND OTHER INTERESTED REGIONAL STATES HAVE ENGAGED IN A DIALOGUE THROUGH THE *AKARTA )NFORMAL -EETING *)- PROCESS 4HESE DEVELOPMENTS MAKE THE PROSPECTS FOR A SETTLEMENT BETTER THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME IN THE LAST DECADE .OT BEING CLAIRVOYANT ) CANNOT PREDICT THE SHAPE OF THE lNAL SETTLEMENT 4HERE ARE STILL SIGNIlCANT DIFFERENCES IN THE POSITIONS OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONmICT 6IETNAM IS STILL HESITANT TO NEGOTIATE SERIOUSLY "UT SOONER OR LATER 6IETNAM WILL HAVE TO DO SO )TS PRESENT SITUATION IS JUST NOT SUSTAINABLE )T IS IN 6IETNAMS OWN INTEREST THAT A SETTLEMENT COMES SOONER RATHER THAN LATER ! SETTLEMENT THAT WILL BE DURABLE MUST BE A GENUINE COMPROMISE NEITHER A 3OVIET NOR A 6IETNAMESE NOR A #HINESE VICTORY WITH NEITHER THE +HMER 2OUGE NOR THE (ENG 3AMRIN FACTION DOMINATING ! VIABLE SETTLEMENT MUST ALSO BE GUARANTEED BY THE GREAT POWERS &OR THIS REASON IT IS ESSENTIAL TO lND MEANS OF INTEGRATING THE VARIOUS PROCESSES THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN PARTICULAR TO BRING THE GREAT POWERS INTO THE REGIONAL DIALOGUE 0RINCE 3IHANOUK REPRESENTS THE BEST HOPE FOR LASTING PEACE AND STABILITY IN #AMBODIA !LL PARTIES HAVE RECOGNISED HIS PREEMINENT ROLE 7HATEVER MAY BE AGREED BETWEEN #HINA AND THE 3OVIET 5NION OR THROUGH THE *)- PROCESS MUST ULTIMATELY lND ITS EXPRESSION IN A SETTLEMENT THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO 0RINCE 3IHANOUK 3INGAPORE REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING 0RINCE 3IHANOUK AND THE NON COMMUNIST
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RESISTANCE ALL PRACTICAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO ENABLE THEM TO STAND UP TO BOTH THE +HMER 2OUGE AND THE (ENG 3AMRIN FORCES
#ONCLUSION 3INGAPORE DOES NOT HAVE ANY AMBITION OF PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 7E KNOW OUR STRENGTHS AND OUR LIMITATIONS 7E DO NOT SEEK A LEADERSHIP ROLE WHETHER IN !3%!. OR ANY OTHER INTERNATIONAL FORUM 7E WANT ONLY TO LIVE IN PEACE AND TO SECURE A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR CITIZENS "UT WE HAVE ALWAYS ACTED WHENEVER OUR INTERESTS NEED TO BE PROTECTED !ND WE SHALL CONTINUE TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS 7E OWE OUR PEOPLE NOTHING LESS
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3INGAPORES &IRST ,OBBYING %FFORT IN THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY 0ROFESSOR 3 *!9!+5-!2 IS $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER AND -INISTER FOR ,AW (E TAUGHT AT THE .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE &ACULTY OF ,AW FROM TO AND BECAME $EAN OF THE &ACULTY IN &ROM TO HE ALSO SERVED AS 3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5. .EW 9ORK AND (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO #ANADA &ROM TO HE WAS A MEMBER OF 3INGAPORES DELEGATION TO THE 5. ,AW OF THE 3EA #ONFERENCE )N HE WAS ELECTED -0 FOR "EDOK #ONSTITUENCY (E WAS APPOINTED -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR ,AW AND -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR (OME !FFAIRS IN )N HE WAS APPOINTED -INISTER FOR (OME !FFAIRS AND 3ECOND -INISTER FOR ,AW )N HE WAS APPOINTED -INISTER FOR ,AW AND -INISTER FOR (OME !FFAIRS )N HE RELINQUISHED HIS APPOINTMENT AS -INISTER FOR (OME !FFAIRS AND WAS APPOINTED -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS WHILE RETAINING HIS PORTFOLIO IN ,AW )N HE WAS APPOINTED $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER AND -INISTER FOR ,AW AND RELINQUISHED HIS APPOINTMENT AS -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS
ODAY FORTY YEARS AFTER )NDEPENDENCE THE 3INGAPORE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! HAS MADE CONSIDERABLE STRIDES IN FOREIGN POLICY /UR -ISSIONS AND DIPLOMATS OVER THE YEARS HAVE HONED THEIR NEGOTIATING AND LOBBYING SKILLS TO DEFEND AND ADVANCE OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS 7HENEVER AN ISSUE OR CRISIS EMERGES NOWADAYS WHICH IMPINGES ON OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS OUR DIPLOMATS ARE ADROIT IN MANAGING THE ISSUE AND WHEN NECESSARY IN LOBBYING FOR OR AGAINST ANY PROPOSAL 7E HAVE COME A LONG WAY FROM THE EARLY DAYS WHEN WE WERE STILL LEARNING THE ROPES 4HIS ESSAY IS ABOUT AN EPISODE FROM THOSE EARLY DAYS )T DESCRIBES THE lRST TIME 3INGAPORE TABLED A RESOLUTION IN THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY 4HIS WAS IN AT THE TH 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY AND WAS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ,AW OF THE 3EA ) WILL EXPLAIN THE SIGNIlCANCE OF THE RESOLUTION AND RECOUNT THE
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LOBBYING PROCESS BY OUR DELEGATION WHICH UNTIL THEN HAD LITTLE EXPERIENCE IN SUCH MATTERS AT THE 5.
4HE #ONTEXT )T WAS A SEEMINGLY INNOCUOUS RESOLUTION CALLING UPON THE 5. 3ECRETARIAT TO UNDERTAKE A CERTAIN 3EABED 3TUDY 4HE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY A VOTE OF IN FAVOUR AGAINST AND ABSTENTIONS 2%3 " 886)) 7E WERE A MEMBER OF THE 5.S 3EABED #OMMITTEE WHICH WAS WORKING OUT RULES TO MANAGE THE RESOURCES OF THE DEEP SEABED AREA IE THE AREA BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION 4HIS AREA KNOWN TO BE RICH IN MINERAL RESOURCES HAD BEEN EARLIER DECLARED THE hCOMMON HERITAGE OF MANKINDv /NE PROBLEM WAS THAT THERE WAS NO UNIVERSAL AGREEMENT AS TO WHERE NATIONAL JURISDICTIONS ENDED AND WHERE THE AREA OF COMMON HERITAGE BEGAN -ANY COASTAL STATES HAD UNILATERALLY EXTENDED THEIR NATIONAL JURISDICTIONS 4HEY HAD SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE 3EABED #OMMITTEE TO PUSH FOR NEW RULES OF THE ,AW OF THE 3EA TO LEGALLY ENTRENCH THEIR EXTENDED JURISDICTIONS 4HEIR CLEVER POLITICAL SPIN WAS THAT FOR FAR TOO LONG THE ADVANCED COUNTRIES AND FORMER COLONIAL COUNTRIES HAD BEEN PLUNDERING THE NATURAL RESOURCES OFF THEIR COASTS 4HEY PROJECTED THE VIEW THAT MILES OR SIMILAR LARGE CLAIMS WERE IN THE INTERESTS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES GENERALLY TRYING TO CREATE A DEVELOPING COUNTRIES VERSUS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES POLARISATION
3INGAPORES )NTERESTS 7E DISAGREED WITH THEIR PROPOSALS WHEREBY VAST TRACTS OF HIGH SEAS WOULD FALL WITHIN NATIONAL JURISDICTIONS 3INGAPORE IS A SMALL ISLAND NATION WE ARE HEMMED IN BY BOTH -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA AND ACCESS BY US TO MAJOR SEA LANES AND ACCESS BY OTHERS TO 3INGAPORE WAS AND STILL IS CRITICAL /UR NATIONAL INTEREST IS BEST SERVED BY
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A LEGAL REGIME THAT PRESERVES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FREEDOMS OF NAVIGATION FOR ALL NATIONS /UR SPECIAL CONCERN WAS THE -ALACCA AND 3INGAPORE 3TRAITS /UR AIM WAS TO ENSURE THAT RIGHTS OF PASSAGE IN THAT VITAL WATERWAY WOULD NOT BE IMPEDED BY ANY NEW INTERNATIONAL OCEAN TREATY )T WAS SIMPLY UNTRUE THAT EXTENSIONS OF MARITIME JURISDICTION WOULD SERVE THE INTERESTS OF ALL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 4O START WITH EVERY LANDLOCKED COUNTRY WOULD BE WORSE OFF IF ITS COASTAL NEIGHBOURS WERE TO GAIN EXTENDED MARITIME JURISDICTIONS 4HEN THERE WERE COUNTRIES LIKE 3INGAPORE WHICH THOUGH NOT LANDLOCKED WERE SO AFFECTED BY CONSTRAINTS OF GEOGRAPHY AND PROXIMITY WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES THAT NOT ONLY COULD THEY NOT CLAIM SIGNIlCANT EXTENDED JURISDICTIONS IN FACT THEY WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF THEIR NEIGHBOURS DID SO
7E (AD TO !CT 4OMMY +OH THEN 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5. IN .EW 9ORK WAS OUR lRST DELEGATION LEADER ON THE 3EABED #OMMITTEE AND ) LATER REPLACED HIM #HAO (ICK 4IN OF THE !TTORNEY 'ENERALS #HAMBERS NOW A *UDGE IN THE 3UPREME #OURT WAS THE OTHER KEY DELEGATE )T BECAME OBVIOUS TO THE THREE OF US THAT THESE COASTAL STATES WERE PAYING ONLY LIP SERVICE TO THE hCOMMON HERITAGEv CONCEPT WHILE GLOSSING OVER THE SERIOUS EFFECT OF THEIR LARGE CLAIMS ON THE AREA AND RESOURCES OF THE POTENTIAL INTERNATIONAL AREA 7E FELT THAT WE NEEDED TO EXPOSE THEM BY GETTING THE 5. 3ECRETARIAT TO DO A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIOUS PROPOSALS ON MARITIME LIMITS AND THE INTERNATIONAL AREA 7E HOPED THAT SUCH A STUDY WOULD PRODUCE OBJECTIVE INFORMATION THAT WOULD HELP ALL STATES DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER THE ADOPTION OF EXTENSIVE AREAS AS ZONES OF NATIONAL JURISDICTION WOULD TRULY BE IN THEIR INTEREST 7E HAD TWO MAIN CONSIDERATIONS &IRST WE WANTED TO SHATTER THE MYTH THAT EXTENSIVE NATIONAL MARITIME JURISDICTIONS BENElTED ALL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 7E WANTED TO SHOW THAT QUITE A NUMBER
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OF COUNTRIES WOULD GAIN NOTHING AND IN FACT STAND TO LOSE AS A RESULT OF THE ENORMOUS CLAIMS PRESENTED BY SOME COASTAL STATES 3ECOND OUR NATIONAL INTEREST LAY IN ENSURING THAT THE hINTERNATIONAL COMMON HERITAGE AREAv BE AS EXTENSIVE AS POSSIBLE AND FOR THERE TO BE ADEQUATE QUANTITIES OF EXPLOITABLE RESOURCES ,ARGE NATIONAL MARITIME JURISDICTIONS WOULD REDUCE BOTH THE EXISTING OCEAN SPACES WHICH CONSTITUTED THE HIGH SEAS AS WELL AS THE RESOURCES IN THE DEEP SEABED OF THE INTERNATIONAL AREA /UR INITIAL EFFORTS IN THE 3EABED #OMMITTEE IN WERE BLOCKED BY A CHORUS OF COASTAL STATES WHO VOICED STRONG OBJECTIONS 4HE CONSENSUS RULE GOVERNING THE #OMMITTEES PROCEDURE MEANT WE COULD NOT FORCE A DECISION $RIVING TO *&+ AIRPORT WITH #HAO (ICK 4IN TO SEND HIM OFF WE MULLED OVER OUR NEXT MOVES 7E AGREED THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE STYMIED AND DECIDED TO PRESS ON BY BRINGING THE MATTER UP AT THE TH 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY WHERE A VOTE COULD BE TAKEN ON THE STUDY 7E ALSO WANTED TO UNITE THE LANDLOCKED AND SHELmOCKED STATES IN THE 5. INTO A COHESIVE GROUP
3ELLING THE )DEA TO 0OTENTIAL #O SPONSORS )T WAS NOT EASY TO PERSUADE POTENTIAL LIKE MINDED COUNTRIES TO COME ON BOARD -OST WERE UNAWARE OF WHERE THEIR NATIONAL INTERESTS LAY ON THIS ISSUE /UR MAIN hWEAPONv TO JOLT THEM WAS A STUDY DONE BY THE 53 'EOGRAPHER ENTITLED h4HEORETICAL !REA !LLOCATIONS OF 3EABED TO #OASTAL 3TATES "ASED ON #ERTAIN 5. 3EABED #OMMITTEE 0ROPOSALSv 4HIS STUDY RANKED COASTAL COUNTRIES ON HOW THEY WOULD BENElT IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL MARITIME AREAS BASED ON THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS FOR EXTENDED LIMITS SUCH AS THE NAUTICAL MILES AND METRES DEPTH CRITERIA 7ITH THIS STUDY WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW OTHER COUNTRIES LIKE :AIRE )RAQ "AHRAIN AND 4OGO THAT ALTHOUGH THEY WERE COASTAL STATES THEY WERE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RANKINGS AND THAT EXTENSIVE LIMITS WERE ACTUALLY NOT IN THEIR INTERESTS 3INGAPORE WAS RANKED LAST FOR EVERY ONE OF THE PROPOSALS
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)T WAS AN UPHILL TASK TO GET AS MANY CO SPONSORS AS POSSIBLE ,OBBYING WAS ARDUOUS )N THOSE DAYS WE DID NOT HAVE FAXES OR EMAIL WHEREBY -&! (1 COULD ASSIST IN SPEEDILY MAKING DEMARCHES IN OTHER CAPITALS /UR -ISSION IN .EW 9ORK HAD VERY FEW OFlCERS "UT WE PERSEVERED AND GOT SOME THIRTY OTHER COUNTRIES TO CO SPONSOR OUR RESOLUTION FAR MORE THAN WE HAD EXPECTED 4HEY WERE A REALLY MIXED BAG 4HE GROUP WAS UNIQUE IN THAT A IT INCLUDED DEVELOPING AS WELL AS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES THE FORMER BEING THE MAJORITY B THE GROUP HAD MEMBERS FROM EVERY GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL GROUP IN THE 5. AND C IT TRANSCENDED IDEOLOGICAL BOUNDARIES
4HE 4EXT OF THE 2ESOLUTION 4HE KEY PARAGRAPH OF THE RESOLUTION READ h2EQUESTS THE 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL TO PREPARE ON THE BASIS OF DATA AND INFORMATION AT HIS DISPOSAL A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EXTENT AND THE ECONOMIC SIGNIlCANCE IN TERMS OF RESOURCES OF THE INTERNATIONAL AREA THAT WOULD RESULT FROM EACH OF THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS ON LIMITS OF NATIONAL JURISDICTION PRESENTED SO FAR TO THE #OMMITTEE ON THE 0EACEFUL 5SES OF THE 3EA "ED AND /CEAN &LOOR BEYOND THE ,IMITS OF .ATIONAL *URISDICTIONv
7E HAD EIGHT DAYS OF HEATED DEBATE DURING WHICH OUR PROPOSAL WAS STRONGLY OPPOSED BY COUNTRIES WITH EXTENSIVE CONTINENTAL SHELF CLAIMS OR WHO ASSERTED LARGE CLAIMS TO NATIONAL JURISDICTION EG NAUTICAL MILES 4HE RINGLEADERS OF THE OPPOSITION GROUP WERE 0ERU #HILE #ANADA &RANCE AND TO A LESSER EXTENT +ENYA 4ANZANIA "RAZIL AND !RGENTINA 5NABLE TO BLOCK THE RESOLUTION OUTRIGHT THEY TRIED TO INTRODUCE hKILLERv AMENDMENTS CLEVERLY DESIGNED TO FRUSTRATE THE OBJECTIVES OF OUR RESOLUTION
4HEY WERE !FGHANISTAN !USTRIA "AHRAIN "ELGIUM "HUTAN "OLIVIA "OTSWANA "URUNDI #HAD #ZECHOSLOVAKIA &INLAND (UNGARY *ORDAN +UWAIT ,AOS ,ESOTHO ,UXEMBOURG -ALAWI -ALI -ONGOLIA .EPAL .ETHERLANDS .IGER 0ARAGUAY 2WANDA 3WAZILAND 5GANDA 5PPER 6OLTA NOW KNOWN AS "URKINA &ASO :AIRE NOW KNOWN AS THE $EMOCRATIC 2EPUBLIC OF #ONGO AND :AMBIA
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4HE DEBATE WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND EYE OPENER FOR MANY DELEGATIONS ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE NOT MEMBERS OF THE 3EABED #OMMITTEE )T MADE THEM REALISE WHERE THEIR NATIONAL INTERESTS REALLY LAY 4WO ,ATIN !MERICAN LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES "OLIVIA AND 0ARAGUAY SURPRISED EVERYONE WHEN THEY BROKE RANKS WITH THE ,ATIN !MERICAN hSOLIDARITYv BY JOINING OUR GROUP
7HY DID THE #OASTAL 3TATES /PPOSE SO 3TRONGLY &IRST OUR OPPONENTS KNEW THAT SUCH A STUDY WOULD SHOW THAT THEIR EXTENSIVE NATIONAL CLAIMS WOULD DIMINISH THE RESIDUAL OCEAN RESOURCES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY UNDER THE COMMON HERITAGE CONCEPT 4HEY KNEW THAT THE STUDY WOULD EXPOSE THAT THEY WERE MERELY PROMOTING THEIR NATIONAL INTERESTS AND NOT A VIRTUOUS GLOBAL CAUSE 3ECONDLY THE COASTAL STATES HAD DOMINATED THE 3EABED #OMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS AND HAD OPERATED PRACTICALLY WITH A FREE HAND 4HEY RESENTED THE FACT THAT WE HAD THE TEMERITY TO CHALLENGE THEIR DOMINANCE AND SAW IN OUR PROPOSAL AND IN THE ORGANISED MANNER WE PRESENTED IT THE EMERGENCE OF A DISCIPLINED GROUP THAT COULD ACT AS A CONSTRAINT ON THEIR BROAD NATIONAL CLAIMS !LARMED AT THIS POSSIBILITY THEY WERE DETERMINED FROM THE START TO DEFEAT OUR PROPOSAL AND SPLIT UP OUR GROUP !MONG THE AMENDMENTS PUT FORTH BY OUR OPPONENTS THE +ENYAN PROPOSAL WAS PARTICULARLY BEGUILING )T DID NOT INTERFERE WITH OUR KEY PARAGRAPH IN THE RESOLUTION BUT CALLED FOR A 5. STUDY ON THE ECONOMIC SIGNIlCANCE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF THE MILE ECONOMIC EXCLUSIVE ZONE CONCEPT 4HEIR NEGOTIATORS APPROACHED US WITH A DEAL IF WE AGREED TO THEIR AMENDMENT !FRICAN COASTAL STATES WOULD SUPPORT OUR DRAFT RESOLUTION 3OME IN OUR GROUP WERE ATTRACTED TO IT AS IF WE ACCEPTED IT MANY MORE !FRICAN COUNTRIES WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR OUR RESOLUTION "UT WE RECOGNISED THAT THE +ENYAN AMENDMENT WOULD TRANSFORM THE NATURE OF THE STUDY WE WERE SEEKING 4HE CO SPONSORS AS A GROUP THEREFORE DECIDED TO VOTE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT
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4HE 6OTING /UR DRAFT RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED AT THE #OMMITTEE STAGE BY A VOTE OF IN FAVOUR AGAINST AND ABSTENTIONS 3OME DAYS LATER WHEN THE 0LENARY HAD TO VOTE ON IT THE RESULT WAS IN FAVOUR AGAINST AND ABSTENTIONS 4HE #ANADIAN &RENCH -ALTESE hKILLERv AMENDMENT RECEIVED A TIE VOTE OF IN FAVOUR AGAINST AND ABSTENTIONS AND UNDER THE 2ULES OF 0ROCEDURE IT WAS REJECTED 3OME LIKE THE #ANADIAN AND 0ERUVIAN REPRESENTATIVES TOOK THIS RESULT BITTERLY AND PERSONALLY 4HE #ANADIANS TRIED TO RE INTRODUCE hKILLERv AMENDMENTS BUT WERE DISSUADED BY OTHERS *UST BEFORE THE VOTING IN THE 0LENARY THE 0ERUVIAN REPRESENTATIVE MADE A PROVOCATIVE SPEECH IMPUTING SINISTER MOTIVES TO OUR GROUP AND ACCUSED US OF TRYING TO SHATTER THE UNITY OF THE 'ROUP OF -ANY NEUTRAL DELEGATIONS TOLD US THAT 0ERU HAD MADE A BAD TACTICAL BLUNDER BY IMPUGNING THE MOTIVES OF OUR GROUP 4HE OUTBURST ALSO EMBARRASSED MANY WHO HAD ORIGINALLY OPPOSED OUR PROPOSAL 4HIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN A REASON WHY THEY DISCOURAGED NEW EFFORTS IN THE 0LENARY TO DEFEAT OUR RESOLUTION
3IGNIlCANCE FOR 3INGAPORE 4HIS lRST EVER ATTEMPT TO SPEARHEAD A RESOLUTION WAS A SIGNIlCANT DEPARTURE FROM OUR THEN USUAL LOW KEY DIPLOMACY 4HE PROCESS OF LOBBYING GETTING CO SPONSORS COUNTERING OPPOSING ARGUMENTS AND ACTING AS THE LEADER OF THE GROUP TO PLAN STRATEGY AND TACTICS PROVIDED OUR DELEGATION WITH VALUABLE EXPERIENCE !LTHOUGH SOME FRIENDLY DELEGATIONS WERE UPSET AT HAVING BEEN PUT hON THE SPOTv OF HAVING TO TAKE A POSITION ON OUR RESOLUTION THEY NONETHELESS CONGRATULATED US FOR HAVING STEERED THE PROPOSAL SUCCESSFULLY 4HIS WAS ALSO THE lRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE SEABED DISCUSSIONS AT THE 5. THAT A VOTE HAD BEEN TAKEN ON A SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE )T HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE VARIOUS LIMITS PROPOSALS THUS
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UNDERSCORING AN ULTRA SENSITIVE SPOT WHICH h MILERSv LIKE 0ERU DID NOT WANT TO HAVE DISCUSSED AT THE 5. )T ALSO GAVE US A lRST HAND LESSON ON HOW TO IDENTIFY LIKE MINDED COUNTRIES AND PERSUADE THEM TO JOIN OUR CAUSE ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS GROUP CUT ACROSS THE TRADITIONAL 5. INTEREST GROUPS /UR MOVE LED TO THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW CAUCUS THE LANDLOCKED AND hSHELmOCKEDv GROUP AND IT WAS THE lRST TIME THAT THE GROUP SUCCESSFULLY TABLED A RESOLUTION 4HE GROUP WAS COHESIVE AND ACTED IN A DISCIPLINED UNITED MANNER THROUGHOUT 4HE GROUP ALSO BROUGHT IN MANY COUNTRIES WHICH WERE NOT MEMBERS OF THE 3EABED #OMMITTEE A MOVE WITH IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE #ONFERENCE ON THE ,AW OF THE 3EA LATER
! 2EALITY #HECK )T IS A CLICHÏ IN DIPLOMACY THAT THERE ARE NO PERMANENT FRIENDS ONLY PERMANENT INTERESTS !S THE VOTING PATTERNS OF OUR RESOLUTION CLEARLY ILLUSTRATE WE WERE ABLE TO ATTRACT SUPPORT FROM THE MOST UNLIKELY SOURCES 4HIS IS TRUE OF MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY AND ESPECIALLY IN OUR WORK AT THE 5. )T MAKES FOR STRANGE BEDFELLOWS AMONG COUNTRIES WE CAN BE AT LOGGERHEADS WITH ONE COUNTRY IN ONE 5. COMMITTEE ROOM YET ON THE SAME DAY IN ANOTHER COMMITTEE ROOM WE MAY BE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THE SAME COUNTRY ON ANOTHER MATTER WHERE OUR INTERESTS COINCIDE 4HIS IS THE NATURE OF MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY 7E MAKE COMMON CAUSE WITH OTHERS WHEN OUR INTERESTS COINCIDE %VEN THEN THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF SUPPORT WHEN THE CRUNCH COMES !S AN EPILOGUE ) WOULD NOTE THAT FOLLOWING THIS EPISODE THE NEWLY FORMED ,ANDLOCKED AND 'EOGRAPHICALLY $ISADVANTAGED 3TATES GROUP ,,'$3 WENT ON TO BECOME A KEY PLAYER IN THE EVENTUAL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE #ONVENTION ON THE ,AW OF THE 3EA 5.#,/3 3INGAPORE AND !USTRIA SERVED AS PERMANENT CO CHAIRS OF THE 'ROUP 4HE lNAL TEXT OF THE 5.#,/3 CONTAINS PROVISIONS WHICH RECOGNISE THE
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INTERESTS OF THE LANDLOCKED AND GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED STATES )T IS ALSO NOTEWORTHY THAT 5.#,/3 lNALLY STRUCK A MORE EQUITABLE BALANCE BETWEEN NAVIGATIONAL INTERESTS AND COASTAL STATES INTERESTS )T DID THIS BY LIMITING THE TERRITORIAL WATERS OF COASTAL STATES TO NO MORE THAN NAUTICAL MILES YET ACCOMMODATED THEIR ARGUMENTS FOR BROADER RESOURCE EXPLOITATION IN THE FORM OF THE %XCLUSIVE %CONOMIC :ONE AND #ONTINENTAL 3HELF REGIMES 3OME OF THESE OUTCOMES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE MODEST BUT TENACIOUS DIPLOMATIC EFFORT IN THAT SET THE WHEELS IN MOTION
0OSTSCRIPT "ACK HOME AT -&! (1 THERE WAS KEEN INTEREST IN OUR MAIDEN EFFORT SPEARHEADING A RESOLUTION AND THE BIG SPLASH WE MADE IN .EW 9ORK !S SUCH -&! RECALLED ME BACK TO 3INGAPORE FOR CONSULTATIONS AND TO GIVE A FULL DEBRIEF ON THE LESSONS LEARNT FROM THIS EPISODE -ICHAEL #HEOK WAS TRAVELLING WITH ME ON THE mIGHT TO 3INGAPORE VIA ,ONDON )N AN UNCANNY COINCIDENCE DURING OUR TRANSIT IN ,ONDON THEN 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW WHO HAD BEEN TRAVELLING IN %UROPE WITH HIS FAMILY ALSO BOARDED THE SAME mIGHT TO 3INGAPORE 7HEN ) TOLD HIM THE REASON ) WAS GOING BACK FOR CONSULTATIONS HE EXPRESSED GREAT INTEREST IN WHAT HAD TRANSPIRED IN THE 5.'! !FTER HE lNISHED HIS LUNCH ON THE mIGHT HE CAME OVER AND SAT IN THE SEAT NEXT TO MINE AND SPENT ABOUT FORTY lVE MINUTES ASKING ME MANY QUESTIONS SUCH AS HOW THE BIG POWERS HAD VOTED AND HOW THE !3%!. COUNTRIES HAD VOTED (E WAS ALSO KEEN TO KNOW WHAT WOULD BE THE END RESULT OF THE ,AW OF THE 3EA DISCUSSIONS AND HOW IT WOULD AFFECT OUR INTERESTS ESPECIALLY IN THE -ALACCA AND 3INGAPORE 3TRAITS
&OR A FULLER ACCOUNT OF THE ,ANDLOCKED AND 'EOGRAPHICALLY $ISADVANTAGED 3TATES STORY READERS CAN REFER TO h4HE ISSUE OF THE RIGHTS OF LANDLOCKED AND GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED STATES IN RESPECT OF THE LIVING RESOURCES OF THE ECONOMIC ZONEv IN 6IRGINIA *OURNAL OF )NTERNATIONAL ,AW
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3OLVING 4WO $IPLOMATIC #HALLENGES -R ,%% +HOON #HOY SERVED AS 3INGAPORES 3ENIOR -INISTER OF 3TATE &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND IN THE 0RIME -INISTERS /FlCE FROM TO (E HAS BEEN 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO EIGHT COUNTRIES %GYPT 9UGOSLAVIA %THIOPIA ,EBANON 0AKISTAN )NDONESIA *APAN AND +OREA "EFORE ENTERING POLITICS HE WAS A JOURNALIST (IS WIDE RANGE OF JOURNALISTIC POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCE MAKES HIM A NATURAL COMMENTATOR ON THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE CULTURAL ASPECTS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLES OF THE WORLD &OR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE HE HAS RECEIVED AWARDS AND DECORATIONS FROM #HINA )NDONESIA *APAN +OREA AND 3INGAPORE (E HAS AUTHORED SEVEN BOOKS BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE AS JOURNALIST POLITICIAN AND DIPLOMAT
%GYPT 2ECOGNITION OF )SRAEL %STABLISHING 2ELATIONS WITH )SRAEL N JUST AFTER THE 'ENERAL %LECTIONS &OREIGN -INISTER 3 2AJARATNAM ASKED ME TO SEE HIM IN HIS OFlCE (E SPRANG A SURPRISE AT ME h(OW ABOUT BECOMING AN AMBASSADOR IN THE 5NITED !RAB 2EPUBLIC %GYPT v (E EXPLAINED THE REASONS FOR MY APPOINTMENT 3INGAPORE WAS PLANNING TO ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH )SRAEL WHICH HAD SENT MILITARY EXPERTS TO HELP US TRAIN OUR YOUNG ARMY !FTER 3INGAPORE WAS SEPARATED FROM -ALAYSIA WE ASKED THE -ALAYSIAN SOLDIERS TO LEAVE &ARRER 0ARK WHERE THEY WERE STATIONED BUT THEY REFUSED TO BUDGE GIVING US THE EXCUSE THAT 3INGAPORES SECURITY WAS IMPORTANT TO THEM AND THEY HAD TO PROTECT US 7E APPROACHED VARIOUS COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE 5NITED 3TATES "RITAIN )NDIA %GYPT AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO LEND US THEIR MILITARY EXPERTISE BUT THEY DECLINED 4HEN )SRAEL VOLUNTARILY OFFERED US THEIR HELP 7E HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO ACCEPT (OW COULD WE SOFTEN THE REACTION FROM THE !RAB COUNTRIES WHEN WE RECOGNISED )SRAEL !S %GYPT WAS THEN THE LEADING !RAB COUNTRY
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IT BECAME THE TARGET OF OUR DIPLOMATIC APPROACH 7HAT WOULD BE THE REACTION OF THE %GYPTIAN LEADER PARTICULARLY THE VIEW OF 0RESIDENT .ASSER WHO WAS THE LEADER OF THE !RAB WORLD -INISTER 2AJARATNAMS LAST WORDS TO ME WERE h-AKE SURE THAT OUR %MBASSY IS NOT BURNT DOWN WHEN WE RECOGNISE )SRAELv
5NDERSTANDING THE !RAB -IND 7HEN ) TOOK OVER MY JOB AS !MBASSADOR TO %GYPT ) KEPT MY MISSION SECRET AND DID NOT DIVULGE IT TO ANY OF MY STAFF ) HAD NO PRIOR DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCE AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT MEANT TO BE AN AMBASSADOR ) STARTED READING BOOKS AND ARTICLES ABOUT THE FUNCTION OF AN AMBASSADOR AND TALKED TO EXPERIENCED DIPLOMATS 7HEN ) ARRIVED IN #AIRO ) STARTED GATHERING INFORMATION RELATED TO MY MISSION ) STARTED TO STUDY THE !RAB MIND AND LEARNT WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE !RABS ESPECIALLY THE %GYPTIANS ) DISCOVERED THAT THE PERSON MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE !RABS WAS THE "RITISH !MBASSADOR 3IR (AROLD "EELEY WHO WAS AN EXPERT IN THE !RABIC LANGUAGE AND !RABIAN AFFAIRS ) TRIED TO SOUND HIM OUT ON THE QUESTION OF RECOGNISING )SRAEL !CCORDING TO HIM MANY OF THE &RENCH SPEAKING AND THE %NGLISH SPEAKING !FRICAN COUNTRIES HAD RECOGNISED )SRAEL 4HE %GYPTIAN GOVERNMENT DID NOT TAKE MUCH OFFENCE IN THE CASE OF THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH HAD RECOGNISED )SRAEL PREVIOUSLY PARTICULARLY BEFORE THE WAR IN *UNE "UT HE CAUTIONED THAT THE 'OVERNMENT OF %GYPT WOULD BE ANNOYED AND AGITATED ABOUT NEW RECOGNITIONS BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE SEEN BY %GYPT AS MORAL SUPPORT FOR )SRAEL WHICH WOULD ENCOURAGE IT TO CONTINUE WITH ITS AGGRESSION AND DEFY
!LSO KNOWN AS THE 3IX $AY 7AR /N THE MORNING OF *UNE )SRAEL ATTACKED ON !RAB AIR POWER DESTROYING %GYPTIAN 3YRIAN AND *ORDANIAN AIRCRAFTS 4HIS WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY GROUND INVASIONS INTO 3INAI AND THE 'AZA 3TRIP *ORDAN AND lNALLY 3YRIA 7ITH AIR SUPPORT THE !RAB GROUND FORCES WERE ROUTED ON ALL THREE FRONTS "Y THE EVENING OF *UNE )SRAELI FORCES HAD SEIZED THE ENTIRE 3INAI 0ENINSULA TO THE EAST BANK OF THE 3UEZ #ANAL THE WEST BANK OF *ORDAN INCLUDING %AST *ERUSALEM AND THE 'OLAN (EIGHTS OF 3YRIA
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THE 5NITED .ATIONS RESOLUTIONS 3IR (AROLD TOLD ME THAT WHEN %THIOPIA ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH )SRAEL THE %THIOPIAN AMBASSADOR WHO WAS THE $EAN OF THE $IPLOMATIC #ORPS HAD A TOUGH TIME 4HE %THIOPIAN EMBASSY WAS SURROUNDED BY POLICE OSTENSIBLY TO PROTECT IT FROM ATTACK BY ANGRY STUDENTS !S WE HAD ONLY THREE DIPLOMATIC STAFF IN OUR %MBASSY WHICH HAD TO COVER FOUR OTHER COUNTRIES ) WAS ACCREDITED TO 9UGOSLAVIA 0AKISTAN %THIOPIA AND ,EBANON WE WERE HANDICAPPED IN THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION 7ITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF 3IR (AROLD ) RECEIVED A DAILY SUPPLY OF THE TRANSLATIONS OF !RABIC NEWSPAPERS ) ALSO BROUGHT UP THE SUBJECT OF THE RECOGNITION OF )SRAEL WITH THE AMBASSADORS OF VARIOUS !RAB COUNTRIES
)NFORMAL 2EACTIONS ) MADE AN EFFORT TO BEFRIEND THE NEW $IRECTOR OF THE !SIAN $ESK IN THE &OREIGN -INISTRY OF %GYPT %ZZ %L $IN 2AMZY WHO HAD JUST RETURNED FROM "URMA AS %GYPTS AMBASSADOR (E WAS A KEEN GOLFER ) GOT THE IMPRESSION FROM HIM THAT THE %GYPTIANS DID NOT MIND AT ALL IF WE RECOGNISED )SRAEL BUT WE HAD TO MAKE OUR STAND CLEAR TOWARDS )SRAEL )N OTHER WORDS WE COULD NOT CONDONE )SRAELI OCCUPATION OF !RAB TERRITORIES AND THAT WE STILL SUPPORTED 5. 3ECURITY #OUNCIL 2ESOLUTION ) REPORTED THE REACTIONS BACK TO -INISTER 2AJARATNAM 4HEN ON &EBRUARY ) RECEIVED A CABLE FROM 3INGAPORE WHICH SAID THAT 3INGAPORE WOULD BE ESTABLISHING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH )SRAEL POSSIBLY IN EARLY -ARCH AND THAT 0RIME -INISTER 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW HAD WRITTEN TO 0RESIDENT .ASSER INDICATING 3INGAPORES INTENTION TO DO SO 4HE CABLE ASSURED THAT OUR STAND IN THE 5. AND
&OLLOWING THE 3IX $AY 7AR THE SITUATION IN THE -IDDLE %AST WAS DISCUSSED BY THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY WHICH REFERRED THE ISSUE TO THE 3ECURITY #OUNCIL 4HE KEY ISSUE WAS THE INSISTENCE OF THE !RAB STATES FOR TOTAL )SRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM OCCUPIED !RAB TERRITORIES 4HE 5.3# UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED RESOLUTION ON .OVEMBER
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OTHER INTERNATIONAL BODIES REGARDING THE -IDDLE %AST ISSUE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT 3INGAPORE CONSIDERED TO BE JUST 0- ,EE SAID THAT HE WOULD BE RELEASING THE NEWS OF OUR ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH )SRAEL ON -AY
5NEXPECTED 2EACTIONS /N -AY ) RECEIVED A LETTER WHICH 0- ,EE HAD WRITTEN TO 0RESIDENT .ASSER AND THE LETTER WHICH -INISTER HAD WRITTEN TO HIS COUNTERPART &OREIGN -INISTER OF %GYPT -AHMUD 2IAD ) WAS ASKED TO DELIVER THE LETTERS IMMEDIATELY ) WENT TO THE HOUSE OF $R &AWZY THE PERSONAL ADVISER TO 0RESIDENT .ASSER $R &AWZY WAS ONCE &OREIGN -INISTER AND ALSO %GYPTS AMBASSADOR TO THE 5. (E HAD ALSO SERVED AS !MBASSADOR TO *APAN FOR SIX YEARS $R &AWZY WAS INTELLIGENT AND WELL RESPECTED 7HEN ) HANDED HIM THE LETTERS ) ALSO EXPLAINED TO HIM THE DIFlCULT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT 3INGAPORE FACED BY OUR EVICTION FROM -ALAYSIA AS WELL AS THE NEW SITUATION BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE UNEXPECTEDLY EARLY PULL OUT OF THE "RITISH TROOPS FROM 3INGAPORE BY ) WAS EXPECTING HIM TO INUNDATE ME WITH QUESTIONS BUT HE TOOK THE MATTER CALMLY AND PHILOSOPHICALLY 7ITHOUT EVEN READING THE LETTERS AFTER ) HANDED THEM OVER HE SAID h7E UNDERSTAND YOUR DIFlCULT POSITIONv %VERYTHING WENT WELL !FTER PRESENTING MY CREDENTIALS TO 0RESIDENT 4ITO IN 9UGOSLAVIA ) RETURNED TO #AIRO AND RECEIVED AN INVITATION FROM 2AMZY TO A DINNER AT HIS RESIDENCE /N THE DAY OF 3INGAPORES RECOGNITION OF )SRAEL #AIROS %GYPTIAN 'AZETTE PUBLISHED THE FULL TEXT OF OUR STATEMENT WITHOUT ANY EDITORIAL COMMENT 4HE !L !HRAM PUBLISHED ONLY TWO SENTENCES ABOUT THE EVENT /N THE SAME NIGHT ) HOSTED DINNER FOR THE -INISTER OF *USTICE OF %GYPT AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO OUR %MBASSY ) HAD FULlLLED MY MISSION )N CONTRAST WHEN THE 2OMANIANS RECOGNISED )SRAEL THREE MONTHS LATER %GYPT )RAQ 3YRIA AND 3UDAN BROKE OFF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THEM %VEN THOUGH 2OMANIA WAS A DONOR COUNTRY TO %GYPT THE
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2OMANIAN AMBASSADOR WAS ASKED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY %CONOMIC ASSISTANCE BECAME UNIMPORTANT TO THE %GYPTIANS WHEN THEIR ANGER WAS AROUSED &ACE WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO THEM -ANY FOREIGN DIPLOMATS WERE SURPRISED THAT 2OMANIA RECEIVED SUCH A HEAVY BLOW WHILE 3INGAPORE GOT AWAY RELATIVELY LIGHTLY
,ESSON )N THE GAME OF DIPLOMACY IT IS NECESSARY TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE FEELINGS OF THE HOST COUNTRY 7E WOULD HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME FATE AS THE 2OMANIANS IF WE HAD NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE FEELINGS OF THE !RABS VIS Ë VIS THE )SRAELI OCCUPIED TERRITORIES 7E STATED OUR STAND CLEARLY IN THIS RESPECT AND ESCAPED THE WRATH OF THE %GYPTIANS WHEN WE RECOGNISED )SRAEL
)NDONESIA 3PRINKLING &LOWERS ON THE 'RAVES 7HEN MY TERM IN #AIRO WAS ABOUT TO END ) RECEIVED A CABLE FROM -INISTER 2AJARATNAM ASKING ME TO SERVE AS !MBASSADOR IN )NDONESIA ) DECLINED AS ) WAS STILL A POLITICIAN AND COULD NOT LOSE TOUCH WITH MY CONSTITUENTS 4HE -INISTER REPLIED THAT IT WAS A #ABINET DECISION AND ASSURED ME THAT MY CONSTITUENTS WOULD BE LOOKED AFTER -INISTER 2AJARATNAM HAD MET HIS )NDONESIA COUNTERPART &OREIGN -INISTER !DAM -ALIK AT A &OREIGN -INISTERS CONFERENCE AT #AMERON (IGHLANDS -ALAYSIA 4HE )NDONESIAN -INISTER HAD ASKED WHY THERE WAS NO SUCCESSOR TO 0 3 2AMAN 3INGAPORE !MBASSADOR TO *AKARTA WHO HAD LEFT AFTER THE ANTI 3INGAPORE RIOTS IN )N RESPONSE THE -INISTER SAID THAT HE COULD NOT THINK OF ANY -ALAY FROM 3INGAPORE WHO COULD SERVE AS !MBASSADOR -INISTER -ALIK SAID THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SEND A -ALAY ADDING THAT ANYONE WHO HAD THE CONlDENCE OF THE #ABINET WOULD SUFlCE 4HUS THE -INISTER HAD THOUGHT OF ME AS ) WAS ABOUT TO RETURN FROM #AIRO AND HE GOT THE #ABINETS APPROVAL TO SEND ME TO *AKARTA
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4ENSE "ILATERAL 2ELATIONS ) WAS GOING AT A TIME WHEN THE RELATIONS WITH 3INGAPORE AND )NDONESIA WERE TENSE 4WO )NDONESIAN MARINES WHO HAD BOMBED -AC$ONALD (OUSE IN 3INGAPORE DURING THE #ONFRONTATION HAD BEEN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING )NDONESIAN 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO HAD APPEALED TO 3INGAPORES LEADERS TO SPARE THEIR LIVES 4HE -ARINES HAD APPEALED TO THE "RITISH 0RIVY #OUNCIL 4HEY WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL 7HEN THE BODIES OF THE TWO )NDONESIANS WERE mOWN BACK TO *AKARTA ANGRY STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED IN THE STREETS AND NEARLY BURNT DOWN THE 3INGAPORE EMBASSY -Y lRST REACTION TO MY *AKARTA ASSIGNMENT WAS lLLED WITH APPREHENSION )NDONESIA WAS THE LARGEST COUNTRY IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA AND 3INGAPORE COULD NOT AFFORD TO NOT UNDERSTAND ITS IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOUR ) ALSO RECALLED THAT SOME AGGRESSIVE AND UNFRIENDLY )NDONESIAN LEADERS HAD THREATENED TO INVADE 3INGAPORE WHEN THE TWO )NDONESIAN MARINES WERE HANGED ) MADE UP MY MIND TO UNDERSTAND THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE )NDONESIANS
5NDERSTANDING )NDONESIANS ) PREPARED FOR MY NEW POSTING WHILE IN #AIRO ) CONTACTED 'ENERAL -OKOGINTA WHO WAS THE )NDONESIAN !MBASSADOR TO #AIRO THEN AND A GOOD FRIEND ) TOLD HIM OF MY FORTHCOMING POSTING 'ENERAL -OKOGINTA WHO KNEW THAT ) WAS A -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND CLOSE TO THE 0RIME -INISTER HAD ASKED ME TO INTERVENE AND PREVENT THE HANGING OF THE MARINES ) TRIED TO HELP BUT IN VAIN !FTER THE HANGING -OKOGINTA REFUSED TO TALK TO ME
!RRANGING A 6ISIT FOR 0- ,EE -Y MISSION IN )NDONESIA WAS TO ARRANGE FOR AN OFlCIAL VISIT BY 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW $IPLOMATIC RELATIONS AT THIS POINT WERE AT AN EBB AND
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) WAS TOLD THAT FORMER 0RESIDENT 3UKARNO HAD LOST FACE AND REGARDED 0- ,EE AS AN ENEMY AND SWORE TO PUNISH 3INGAPORE -Y TASK WAS AN EXTREMELY DIFlCULT ONE
5NDERSTANDING THE *AVANESE -IND 7HEN ) ARRIVED IN *AKARTA IN *UNE IT COINCIDED WITH THE DEATH OF 0RESIDENT 3UKARNO !S THE COUNTRY WAS IN MOURNING THE PRESENTATION OF MY CREDENTIALS WAS DELAYED FOR A WEEK 4HE lRST PERSON ) PAID A COURTESY CALL ON FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION OF MY CREDENTIALS WAS -OCHTAR ,UBIS A PROMINENT JOURNALIST (E HAD WRITTEN AN ESSAY ON THE LESSONS FROM THE 3UKARNO PRESIDENCY HINTING THAT THE FORMER 0RESIDENT HAD FAILED BECAUSE HE DID NOT CARE FOR THE LAW AND CONSIDERED HIMSELF TO BE ABOVE THE LAW -OCHTAR HOPED THAT THE NEW 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO WOULD HEED THESE LESSONS AND NOT ALLOW HIS PRIVATE ASSISTANTS TO INTERFERE WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND PUT AN END TO CORRUPTION ) THOUGHT -OCHTAR WOULD BE THE RIGHT PERSON TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE )NDONESIAN MIND (E ADVISED ME THAT TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE )NDONESIAN LEADERSHIP ) HAD TO UNDERSTAND THE *AVANESE MIND -OCHTAR RELATED TO ME THAT 0RESIDENTIAL !SSISTANT 3UDJONO (UMARDANI HAD GONE TO "ALI TO LOOK FOR 'ADJA -ADAS MASK AND HAD PLACED IT AT THE 0RESIDENTIAL 0ALACE FOR ONE THOUSAND DAYS 'ADJA -ADA WAS ONCE THE DYNAMIC LEADER OF THE -AJAPAHIT %MPIRE 4HIS GESTURE WAS MADE TO GET THE BLESSING FROM 'ADJA -ADA 7HILE ) FOUND SOME OF HIS STORIES HARD TO BELIEVE ) MADE UP MY MIND THEN TO UNDERSTAND THE *AVANESE MINDSET
!BANGAN AND 3ANTRI #ONTRARY TO MY lRST IMPRESSION OF )NDONESIA AS A -ALAY AND -USLIM COUNTRY UPON ARRIVING IN *AKARTA ) FOUND THAT )NDONESIA WAS ESSENTIALLY *AVANESE DOMINATED 4HE *AVANESE -USLIMS WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS 4HE !BANGAN WERE -USLIMS WHO BELIEVED
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IN THE 0ROPHET -OHAMMAD BUT ALSO WORSHIPPED THE SPIRIT OF THE SUN MOON RIVER THE KRIS AND OTHER OBJECTS ON EARTH 4HEY WERE MORE LIBERAL MINDED AND NOT DOGMATIC AS FAR AS )SLAM WAS CONCERNED -ANY OF THOSE IN POWER THEN SUCH AS THE 'ENERALS INCLUDING 3UKARNO AND 3UHARTO BELONGED TO THIS GROUP 4HE 3ANTRI WERE ORTHODOX -USLIMS AND BELIEVED ONLY IN -OHAMMAD 4HEY WANTED TO FORM AN )SLAMIC 3TATE OF )NDONESIA &ORTUNATELY FOR 3INGAPORE THE MAJORITY OF THOSE IN POWER ARE !BANGAN
4HE &IRST !PPROACH ) SPENT NEARLY SIX MONTHS TRYING TO WORK THROUGH &OREIGN -INISTER -ALIK AND !LAM 3JAH THE 3TATE 3ECRETARY TO THE 0RESIDENT TO ARRANGE FOR 0- ,EES VISIT !T lRST -INISTER -ALIK WAS QUITE OPTIMISTIC AND TOLD ME THAT WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE VISIT WOULD MATERIALISE (E WAS A -USLIM "ATAK HENCE HE DID NOT READ THE SITUATION AS WELL AS A *AVANESE 7HEN SIX MONTHS HAD PASSED HE HAD MADE NO HEADWAY AND ADVISED ME TO WORK ON THE 0RESIDENTS !SSISTANT 3UDJONO (UMARDANI 4HROUGH A FORMER SCHOOLMATE OF MINE IN 0ENANG ) PLAYED GOLF WITH 3UDJONO AND WE BECAME CLOSE FRIENDS (E WAS A MYSTIC AND FROM HIM ) LEARNT A GREAT DEAL ABOUT *AVANESE MYSTICISM AND THEIR PSYCHOLOGY ) WAS PERSONALLY BROUGHT TO SEE THE 'ADJA -ADAS MASK HE HAD FOUND IN AN ISOLATED TEMPLE IN "ALI 4HROUGH A SYMBOLIC CEREMONY THE MASK WAS PRESENTED )T WAS RED WITH A LONG NOSE 3UDJONO BELIEVED THAT 0- ,EE WAS A SUPER HUMAN SENT BY 'OD TO GOVERN 3INGAPORE AND THAT HE HAD SUPERNATURAL POWERS WHICH ENABLED HIM TO TRANSFORM A LITTLE ISLAND INTO A RICH AND PROSPEROUS NATION 3UDJONO ASKED ME TO ARRANGE FOR HIM TO MEET WITH 0- ,EE ) REMEMBER VIVIDLY WHILE WE WERE WAITING TO CALL ON 0- ,EE IN
5NIQUE THRUSTING DAGGER FROM THE -ALAY WORLD
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#ITY (ALL 3UDJONO WENT INTO A TRANCE AND WAS MUTTERING SOME MANTRAS BEFORE THE MEETING 0ERHAPS HE WAS PRAYING FOR STRENGTH TO MEET 0- ,EE !FTER HIS MEETING WITH 0- ,EE 3UDJONO WAS CONlDENT THAT THE VISIT COULD NOW BE ARRANGED (E REPORTED BACK TO 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO AND GAVE A FAVOURABLE REPORT ) WAS ADVISED TO CALL ON 'ENERAL !LI -URTOPO ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL MEMBERS OF THE 3UHARTO CABINET
'ENERAL !LI -URTOPO 4HE 'ENERAL DISCLOSED THAT HE HAD PREVENTED AN INVASION OF 3INGAPORE BY )NDONESIAN MARINES FROM "ATAM WHEN THE HANGING TOOK PLACE (E TOOK PAINS TO EXPLAIN HIS RATIONALE FOR WANTING 3INGAPORE TO SURVIVE )N HIS VIEW OF THE RIVALRY BETWEEN #HINA AND 4AIWAN HE FELT THAT BOTH "EIJING AND 4AIPEI WOULD COMPETE FOR THE LOYALTY OF THE OVERSEAS #HINESE 7ITHOUT AN INDEPENDENT 3INGAPORE OVERSEAS #HINESE WOULD BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE PRO "EIJING AND PRO 4AIPEI CAMPS CAUSING DIVISIONS AMONG THEMSELVES AND INSTABILITY IN THE COUNTRIES THEY RESIDED IN 4HE SUCCESS OF 3INGAPORE AS A NATION WAS A USEFUL EXPERIMENT WHICH WOULD HAVE A GREAT BEARING ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF OVERSEAS #HINESE 3INGAPORES ACHIEVEMENT AS A MULTI RACIAL SOCIETY WITH A #HINESE MAJORITY WOULD BE AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE OVERSEAS #HINESE 'ENERAL -URTOPO EXPLAINED THIS WAS THE REASON HE FELT EXTREMELY HURT WHEN 3INGAPORE HUNG THE TWO MARINES DESPITE HIS 0RESIDENTS PERSONAL APPEAL )T WAS HE WHO HAD ADVISED THE 0RESIDENT TO MAKE THE APPEAL AND CONSEQUENTLY PLACED THE 0RESIDENT IN AN EMBARRASSING POSITION (E ALSO SHOWED ME A PILE OF SIGNATURES WHICH HE HAD RECEIVED FROM 3INGAPOREANS SUPPORTING THE REPRIEVE OF THE TWO MARINES )T WAS BASED ON THESE SIGNATURES THAT HE HAD OFFERED HIS ADVICE TO 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO 4HE 0RESIDENT HAD NOT FORGOTTEN THE HUMILIATION 4HE 'ENERAL PROMISED TO PUT IN SOME GOOD WORDS FOR 3INGAPORE ) THOUGHT THINGS WERE NOW ON THE RIGHT TRACK BUT ) STILL PROCEEDED WITH CAUTION
,EE +HOON #HOYINDD
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'ENERAL 3UMITRO 'ENERAL 3UMITRO WAS THE $EPUTY #OMMANDER OF +/0+!-4)" THE )NTERNAL 3ECURITY $EPARTMENT OF )NDONESIA ) WAS INVITED TO HAVE A GAME OF GOLF WITH HIM $URING THE GAME ) DISCOVERED THAT HE WAS THE MAIN PERSON WHO WAS BLOCKING THE PROGRESS FOR 0- ,EES VISIT (E FELT HUMILIATED WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE 0- ,EE WHEN HE VISITED 3INGAPORE 4HE MAN WHO FAILED TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENT WAS )NDONESIAN !MBASSADOR TO 3INGAPORE 3UNARSO 4HE 'ENERAL ASKED ME IF ) COULD ARRANGE FOR A MEETING WITH 0- ,EE ) PROMISED TO DO SO WITHIN A WEEK ) PERSONALLY ESCORTED HIM FOR THE MEETING AT THE )STANA )N THEIR MEETING 0- ,EE EXPLAINED TO 'ENERAL 3UMITRO THE REASONS FOR THE HANGING !S THE 0RIME -INISTER HE COULD NOT SUBVERT THE JUDICIAL PROCESS AND ORDER THE #HIEF *USTICE TO CHANGE THE JUDGEMENT 4HE 'ENERAL ALSO WANTED TO KNOW WHY 3INGAPORE HAD ENGAGED )SRAELI MILITARY ADVISERS AND INSTRUCTORS (E FEARED THAT 3INGAPORE WOULD DEVELOP POLICIES SIMILAR TO )SRAELS IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA (IS VISIT WAS A SUCCESSFUL ONE 4HIS WAS THE LAST HURDLE FOR 0- ,EES VISIT
4HE $EATH 4HREAT !LL SEEMED SET FOR THE VISIT 4HEN ) RECEIVED A DEATH THREAT 3OMETIME IN EARLY !PRIL OF TWO DARK AND TALL MEN CAME TO MY RESIDENCE ) HAD JUST lNISHED LUNCH AND WAS ABOUT TO REST WHEN ) SAW THEM 4HEY HANDED MY BUTLER $IN A LETTER AND ASKED IF THEY COULD SEE ME ) REFUSED AND THE LETTER IN %NGLISH EXPLAINED THEIR HARMFUL INTENTIONS 4HE LETTER CONCLUDED THAT h7E ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE !MBASSADOR AND HIS %MBASSY STAFF IN $JAKARTA IF DURING THE MONTH OF !PRIL THE !MBASSADOR DOES NOT MAKE PUBLIC ALTERNATIONS IN THE ATTITUDE OF HIS 'OVERNMENTv AND WAS SIGNED BY THE 2EPRESENTATIVE OF !SSOCIATION OF !NTI #HINESE -OVEMENTS IN $JAKARTA 3ASTRO $AMUL
,EE +HOON #HOYINDD
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) TOOK THIS AS A THREAT AND INTIMIDATION TO MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY STAFF ) GAVE A COPY OF THE LETTER TO THE )NDONESIAN 3ECURITY $EPARTMENT "!+). AND OUR -INISTRY ) mEW HOME AND REQUESTED FOR A SECURITY OFlCER WHO COULD BE DISGUISED AS MY DRIVER 4HIS REQUEST COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS IT WAS THEN NOT THE PRACTICE TO SEND A SECURITY OFlCER FOR AN AMBASSADOR ) THEN WENT TO THE 0OLICE 4RAINING 3CHOOL ALONG 4HOMSON 2OAD AND SPENT A FEW DAYS PRACTISING SHOOTING WITH MY REVOLVER ) DID NOT TELL MY WIFE THE DANGER ) WAS IN FOR FEAR THAT SHE MIGHT INSIST ) RETURN TO 3INGAPORE ) BROUGHT MY REVOLVER BACK WITH ME TO *AKARTA AND PLACED IT UNDER MY PILLOW EVERY NIGHT WHEN ) WENT TO BED ) INFORMED THE 0OLICE #HIEF 'ENERAL 7IDODO THAT ) WOULD SHOOT ANYONE WHO TRIED TO HARM ME ) ALSO PAID MORE ATTENTION TO THE PEOPLE AROUND ME WHENEVER ) ATTENDED COCKTAIL PARTIES )T SEEMED THAT THE VISIT OF THE TWO MEN WAS A TEST FOR ME 7HEN -AY AND *UNE PASSED WITHOUT INCIDENT ) LEFT MY REVOLVER ASIDE AND WENT ABOUT WITHOUT IT 4HERE HAVE BEEN MANY MURDERS AND KIDNAPPINGS OF AMBASSADORS IN HOSTILE COUNTRIES !N AMBASSADOR IS EXPECTED TO HAVE NERVES OF STEEL
3AVING &ACE 4HE lNAL HURDLE WAS THIS (OW COULD 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO INVITE 0- ,EE TO )NDONESIA AFTER HE WAS HUMILIATED BY THE REJECTION OF HIS APPEAL FOR PARDON FOR THE TWO MARINES ! FACE SAVING DEVICE HAD TO BE FOUND ) MET 'ENERAL 3UMITRO ON THE GOLF COURSE AND HE CAME UP WITH A GOOD IDEA (E SUGGESTED THAT &INANCE -INISTER $R 'OH +ENG 3WEE SHOULD lRST VISIT 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO BRINGING WITH HIM A LETTER FROM 0- ,EE INVITING THE 0RESIDENT TO VISIT 3INGAPORE 4HE 0RESIDENT WOULD IN REPLY SAY THAT HE WAS BUSY AND INSTEAD 0- ,EE SHOULD VISIT )NDONESIA lRST $R 'OHS VISIT WAS THE BREAKTHROUGH IN THE BILATERAL RELATIONS
,EE +HOON #HOYINDD
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&LOWERS ON THE 'RAVES &INALLY A TIME WAS lXED FOR 0- ,EE TO VISIT )T WAS FROM TO -AY )T TOOK ME THREE YEARS TO BRING THIS TO PASS ) CAME BACK TO 3INGAPORE FOR A PRE VISIT BRIElNG )N THE MEETING WITH 0- ,EE HE ASKED ME WHAT HE COULD DO TO MAKE 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO HAPPY ) TOLD HIM THAT WHEN HE VISITED +ALIBATA HE COULD PASS BY THE GRAVES OF THE TWO MARINES AND SPRINKLE SOME mOWERS ON THEM (E WAS A BIT STARTLED BY THIS PROPOSAL ) EXPLAINED THAT FOR THE *AVANESE THEY BELIEVED IN THE EXISTENCE OF THE SOUL 4HE LEADERS SOMETIMES GO TO THE GRAVES TO CONSULT DEPARTED SOULS FOR ADVICE "Y PUTTING mOWERS ON THE GRAVES THIS WOULD HELP TO CLEAR THE 0RESIDENTS CONSCIENCE /THERWISE IT WOULD BE DIFlCULT FOR HIM TO BEFRIEND A PERSON WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DEATHS 4HIS WAS PART OF THE *AVANESE MIND 0- ,EE LISTENED AND SAID HE NEEDED TIME TO THINK IT OVER 7HEN 0- ,EE ARRIVED IN *AKARTA HE INFORMED ME THAT HE WOULD PUT mOWERS ON THE GRAVES ) IMMEDIATELY PASSED ON THE MESSAGE TO 'ENERAL 4JOKKROPRANOLO THE 0RESIDENTS #HIEF 3ECURITY /FlCER WHO LATER BECAME THE )NDONESIAN !MBASSADOR TO 3INGAPORE ) COULD SEE THAT HIS FACE BEAMED WITH EXCITEMENT UPON RECEIVING MY MESSAGE (E THEN INFORMED THE OTHER 'ENERALS AND -INISTERS OF 0- ,EES DECISION 7HEN 0- ,EE SPRINKLED mOWERS ON THE GRAVE ) SAW TEARS mOWING FROM THE EYES OF THEN )NDONESIAN !MBASSADOR TO 3INGAPORE 'ENERAL 2UKMITO /N THE NIGHT OF THE BANQUET GIVEN BY 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO A BAT mEW INTO THE ROOM WHICH SYMBOLIZED GOOD LUCK FOR THEM 4HE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND )NDONESIA HAD BEEN RESTORED 0- ,EES VISIT WAS SUCCESSFUL IN BREAKING DOWN THE hPSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERv BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES ) HAD FULlLLED MY MISSION AND RETURNED TO 3INGAPORE IN
0LACE WHERE )NDONESIAN HEROES ARE BURIED
,EE +HOON #HOYINDD
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#ONCLUSION )N MY DIPLOMATIC CAREER ) HAVE FOUND THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AN AMBASSADOR SHOULD DO IS TO UNDERSTAND THE FEELING LIFESTYLE AND MENTALITY OF THE PEOPLE OF THE HOST COUNTRY )N %GYPT AND )NDONESIA ) FOUND A COMMON CULTURAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TWO PEOPLES FACE SAVING WAS IMPORTANT )N BOTH CASES ) HAD SUGGESTED SOME ACTIONS WHICH COULD SAVE THE FACES OF THE HOST COUNTRIES AND THEIR LEADERS 4HE JOB OF AN AMBASSADOR IS NOT ONLY CONlNED TO DEALING WITH BILATERAL RELATIONS BUT ALSO TO FATHOM THE FEELINGS AND MINDS OF PEOPLE )N THIS RESPECT UNDERSTANDING THE CULTURE OF A HOST COUNTRY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE JOB OF AN AMBASSADOR )T MEANS MAKING AN EFFORT TO GET TO KNOW THE PSYCHE OF THE PEOPLE THEIR EMOTIONS FEELINGS AND THINKING )T MEANS MIXING AND LIVING WITH THE PEOPLE AND APPRECIATING THEIR CULTURE APART FROM THE NORMAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF AN AMBASSADOR 4HIS WAS HOW ) ACHIEVED THE TWO DIFlCULT TASKS THAT WERE GIVEN TO ME IN %GYPT AND IN )NDONESIA
,EE +HOON #HOYINDD
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! 0IONEER IN THE 3ERVICE -R #()! #HEONG &OOK SERVED AS 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY IN THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS FROM TO (E SERVED AS 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO .EW :EALAND FROM TO !FTER GRADUATING FROM THE 5NIVERSITY OF -ALAYA IN HE STARTED HIS CAREER IN THE GOVERNMENT IN THE 3OCIAL 7ELFARE $EPARTMENT WHERE HE SERVED UNTIL (E WAS THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE AND SERVED IN THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE #OMMISSION (E SUBSEQUENTLY JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! (E SERVED AT OUR (IGH #OMMISSION IN ,ONDON FROM TO 5PON RETURNING TO 3INGAPORE HE WAS APPOINTED $EPUTY 3ECRETARY IN THE -INISTRY OF ,ABOUR $IRECTOR OF -ANPOWER IN THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE AND 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY IN THE -INISTRY OF 3OCIAL !FFAIRS IN SUCCESSION )N HE WAS AWARDED THE 0UBLIC !DMINISTRATION -EDAL 'OLD !FTER RETIRING FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE HE SERVED AS #HAIRMAN OF THE )NSTITUTE OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 3TUDIES UNTIL /CTOBER
HAD THE HONOUR OF BEING PRESENT AT THE CREATION OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! 7HEN ) lRST JOINED THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE IN THE EARLY YEARS OF -&! RIGHT AFTER 3INGAPORE GAINED INDEPENDENCE THE -INISTRY WAS STILL IN ITS INFANCY 3TAFF MEMBERS FROM OTHER MINISTRIES WERE SECONDED TO THE NEWLY CREATED -INISTRY AND VOLUNTEERS WERE CALLED UPON TO MAN THE lRST TWO FOREIGN MISSIONS IN +UALA ,UMPUR AND IN ,ONDON ) DID NOT THINK MUCH OF MY DECISION TO ACCEPT A CAREER IN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE UNTIL AFTER ) ACTUALLY VOLUNTEERED TO JOIN IT )T WAS ONLY THEN THAT ) REALISED THE HUGE SACRIlCES THAT HAD TO BE MADE NOT LEAST OF WHICH WAS THE DISRUPTION TO MY FAMILY LIFE DUE TO THE OVERSEAS POSTINGS -Y WIFE THEN A NURSING OFlCER HAD TO UPROOT HERSELF TO ACCOMPANY ME OVERSEAS ) SERVED IN THE ,ONDON (IGH #OMMISSION FROM TO ) STILL HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF WATCHING THE 7ORLD #UP WHICH WAS HOSTED IN %NGLAND DURING THAT TIME ! 0 2AJAH AN /XFORD LAW
)
#HIA #HEONG &OOKINDD
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GRADUATE AND FORMER 3PEAKER OF 0ARLIAMENT WAS APPOINTED THE lRST (IGH #OMMISSIONER IN ,ONDON !FTER ) RETURNED FROM ,ONDON ) SERVED IN THE -INISTRY OF ,ABOUR AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE AND THE -INISTRY OF 3OCIAL !FFAIRS )T WAS ONLY AFTER THIS SUCCESSION OF STINTS AT VARIOUS MINISTRIES THAT ) SETTLED IN -&! WHERE ) SERVED AS 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY 03 FROM TO !S 03 -&! ) DEALT PRIMARILY WITH THE INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE -INISTRY 0OLICY DECISIONS WERE IN THE EXCLUSIVE HANDS OF THE -INISTER
)N ,ONDON ) DO NOT FEEL THAT RECOUNTING ANECDOTES ABOUT MY CAREER IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD BE ALL THAT APPROPRIATE AS ) MAY INADVERTENTLY OFFEND OR UPSET THE MORE SENSITIVE AMONG MY CONTEMPORARIES ) WILL HOWEVER SHARE ONE PARTICULAR EPISODE AT MY OWN EXPENSE 7HEN ) WAS SERVING IN ,ONDON A FEW MEMBERS OF THE 2UBBER 3TUDY 'ROUP DECIDED TO PAY A COURTESY CALL ON THEN 0RIME -INISTER 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW WHO HAPPENED TO BE STAYING IN (YDE 0ARK (OTEL IN ,ONDON )N THE HOTEL BAR ONE OF THE VISITORS REQUESTED SOME SCOTCH WHISKEY ) A TEETOTALLER WHO AT COCKTAIL ROUNDS OFTEN ASKED FOR GINGER ALE OR ICED WATER INSTEAD OF AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE HAD NOT THE FAINTEST IDEA HOW MUCH WHISKEY TO POUR !ND SO ) PROCEEDED TO POUR WHISKEY ALMOST UP TO THE RIM OF THE VISITORS GLASS ) KNEW ) HAD POURED TOO MUCH WHEN ) SAW THAT BOTH 0- ,EE AND THE VISITORS WERE STARING IN DISBELIEF AT WHAT ) HAD DONE ) ALSO RECALL AN EPISODE WHILE ) WAS STILL SERVING IN ,ONDON WHICH ATTESTED TO -RS ,EE +UAN 9EWS HUMILITY DOWN TO EARTH NATURE AND PRINCIPLES (ER SON CURRENT 0- ,EE (SIEN ,OONG WAS STUDYING IN %NGLAND AND HAD REQUESTED THAT SOME BOOKS BE SENT TO HIM FROM 3INGAPORE 7HEN ) TOLD HER THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND THAT THE BOOKS COULD BE SENT VIA THE DIPLOMATIC BAG SHE REFUSED THE OFFER AND INSISTED THAT THEY BE SENT BY POST AND THAT SHE PAYS FOR THE
#HIA #HEONG &OOKINDD
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" 1JPOFFS JO UIF 4FSWJDF
POSTAGE REASONING THAT THE DIP BAG SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR OFlCIAL DOCUMENTS .OT MANY PEOPLE ARE PRINCIPLED ENOUGH TO TURN DOWN SUCH CONVENIENCES
$ISTINGUISHED #OLLEAGUES -&! HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE EXCEPTIONAL DIPLOMATS WHO STOOD OUT IN PROMOTING 3INGAPORES INTERESTS ABROAD AND WHO COULD SERVE AS ROLE MODELS FOR TODAYS &OREIGN 3ERVICE /FlCERS &3/S 4WO PERSONS COME TO MIND &IRST THE LATE -R 7EE +IM 7EE WHO SERVED AS !MBASSADOR TO -ALAYSIA ! PERSONABLE SINCERE AND NON COMBATIVE DIPLOMAT WHO WON THE TRUST OF THE -ALAYSIANS HE TIRELESSLY WORKED TO RESTORE TIES BETWEEN -ALAYSIA AND 3INGAPORE 4HE -ALAYSIANS OPENED UP TO HIM BUT THERE WAS A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH HE COULD DO GIVEN THE INERASABLE HISTORY OF THE RELATIONSHIP 3ECOND -R 0 3 2AMAN FORMER !MBASSADOR TO *AKARTA AND -OSCOW AND A PERSONAL FRIEND 2AMAN HAD A GREAT ANALYTICAL AND POLITICAL MIND (E WAS A MODEL OF INTEGRITY AND A lGHTER AS EVIDENCED BY HIS STUDENT LEADER DAYS IN )NDIA IN THE S (E WAS ONE OF THE FEW &3/S WHO COULD GIVE AN EXCELLENT BROAD SWEEP OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
-AKING 4IME FOR %ACH /THER 3ADLY ) HAVE OBSERVED THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE FAR LESS TIME FOR PEOPLE IN TODAYS CIVIL SERVICE 4HERE IS TOO MUCH COMPETITION AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS AND LITTLE COMPASSION FOR ONE ANOTHER 4HE AXIOM hTHE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT OWE ANYONE A LIVINGv ) FEEL HAS GONE A LITTLE TOO FAR !S FORMER 03 -&! ) MADE IT A POINT TO MEET EVERY NEW OFlCER THAT WAS RECRUITED INTO -&! AND OFTEN BOUGHT FOOD FOR THE DESK OFlCERS WHEN THEY STAYED OVERTIME 0ERHAPS THERE IS LESS TIME FOR SUCH PERSONAL INTERACTION TODAY BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING WORKLOAD TAKEN ON BY CIVIL SERVANTS -OREOVER WITH THE ADVENT OF MOBILE PHONES OFlCERS NOWADAYS ARE VIRTUALLY ON HOUR STANDBY
#HIA #HEONG &OOKINDD
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4O THE YOUNG OFlCERS OF TODAY ) WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF A KEEN AWARENESS OF BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL POLITICAL ISSUES AND NEGOTIATING SKILLS 4HESE ARE REQUISITE TRAITS OF A GOOD &3/ "UT ABOVE ALL ) WISH TO EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY AND HONESTY ) URGE OFlCERS NOT TO COVER UP OR hRATIONALISEv THEIR MISTAKES BUT TO OWN UP TO THEM AND BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES 4HIS IS THE DISTINGUISHING MARK OF AN OUTSTANDING &3/
0HOTO SOURCE )NSTITUTE OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 3TUDIES
#HIA #HEONG &OOKINDD
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Singapore in the United Nations Security Council Mr. Kishore MAHBUBANI spent 33 years in the Singapore Foreign Service from 1971 to 2004. He was Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Ministry from 1993 to 1998. His postings included Cambodia, Malaysia and Washington D.C. and two terms as Singapore’s Ambassador to the U.N. He was the President of the U.N. Security Council in January 2001 and May 2002. Kishore also participated in several other multi-lateral meetings, including NAM, APEC, ASEM, ASEAN and ARF. He is the author of Can Asians Think? and Beyond The Age Of Innocence: Rebuilding Trust between America and the World. He was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1998 and the Foreign Policy Association Medal in New York in June 2004. He is currently the Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
T
he U.N. Security Council (UNSC) is the most powerful international organisation in the world. This statement remains true even though its real power has not been fully utilised. Only the UNSC can make decisions that are mandatory for all U.N. member states. The U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) cannot. The UNSC also has the enormous power to either legitimize or delegitimize the use of force. To this day, even the neo-conservative (neo-con) detractors of the U.N. acknowledge that the UNSC’s failure to legitimize the American invasion of Iraq hurt the occupation of Iraq (and Kofi Annan’s subsequent declaration that the Iraq war was illegal created enormous anger among the neo-cons because they believed his remarks legitimized the killing of American soldiers in Iraq). In short, the UNSC is not an inconsequential institution.
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In the World Cup Finals When we joined the UNSC in January 2001 for the first time in our history, we realised that we were playing in a different league. It can be compared to the World Cup Finals for soccer. But the game played is an even older one: diplomacy. There are only fifteen nations in the ring. Each vote, indeed each voice, counts. Despite our small size, more was expected of our team because of Singapore’s association with success. All the members of our UNSC team took their responsibilities seriously. Hence, we emerged (by virtually all accounts) with Singapore’s standing and prestige significantly enhanced in the U.N. after our two-year term. We neither overestimated nor underestimated our capacity to make a difference. One of the world’s worst kept secrets is that the main directions of the UNSC are set by the five Permanent Members (P5) — China, France, Russia, United Kingdom — and the United States. It is not just their national power that dictates this. Continuity in office gives an enormous advantage. Only they have the full institutional memory of the many complex cases we handled. After more than 55 years of membership, the P5 had learnt the ropes well and knew which levers to pull to advance their interests. When an issue is of vital importance to a P5 member (as, say, Iraq was to the U.S.), the ten Elected Members (E10) challenge the P5 at their peril. The history of the UNSC is replete with examples of E10 ambassadors who were suddenly transferred out in the middle of their UNSC terms. Whatever the official explanations, in most cases the real reason for the transfer was that they had stepped on some sensitive P5 toes. I consider myself fortunate that I kept my job, despite challenging, sometimes publicly, the P5. We were the only delegation to publicly challenge the American Presidency of the UNSC on a point of order. Later, Kofi Annan telephoned me to privately convey his compliments on our courage. Singapore was respected in the UNSC. Hence, we did not underestimate the impact that we could make either. All our diplomats
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prepared carefully and diligently for each meeting, no matter how small the issue. We paid attention to the quality of our interventions, which was a challenge given the overwhelming volume of UNSC work. A Russian Deputy Permanent Representative once paid an enormous compliment to us. A year after we left the UNSC, he still instructed his officers to retrieve and read our speeches. In his view, they inevitably contained valuable insights. In the first three months of 2001 (six months before 9/11 happened), we pointed out the futility of the UNSC’s policies towards Afghanistan. Privately, a senior American representative pulled aside one of our officers, Foo Chi Hsia, and told her that our concerns were valid. When we spoke, the members listened. It helped that MFA did not try to micro-manage our UNSC team. Wisely, MFA gave us framework instructions on all but the key issues (like Iraq and the Middle East). Hence, unlike most other Council members, we enjoyed real freedom of speech in the Council.
East Timor in the UNSC We tried to use this freedom wisely, intervening forcefully only when we had either strong interests or if we thought we could make a difference. East Timor provided us an opportunity to provide some quiet leadership, as we were the only South-east Asian member of the UNSC. After the successful elections were held in August 2001, there was an understandable desire for the UNSC to cut and run and to transfer its attention and resources elsewhere. We successfully warned of the dangers of a premature exit. The debate got quite hot at one point. The highly respected then French Permanent Representative Ambassador Jean-David Levitte (who became and remains a good friend) said publicly, “My friend Kishore likes to debate. I will debate him.” Fortunately, the UNSC listened to us. The withdrawal was phased out carefully.
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Troop Contributing Countries Unlike other U.N. bodies, the UNSC often makes real decisions which require deployment of significant resources and men. The PKO budget of US$3.87 billion is more than 2 times the regular U.N. budget of US$1.5 billion. There are also over sixty-six thousand peacekeepers in the field. In the period before we joined the Council, there had been a breakdown in trust and confidence between some Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) and the UNSC, with India and Jordan withdrawing their contingents from Sierra Leone in 2000. Hence, in our first Presidency of the UNSC in January 2001 (and we became the Council President on the first day we ever joined the UNSC) we launched a dialogue between the TCCs and the UNSC. It helped. At the initiative of BG Yap Ong Heng, a “Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations” was set up. Consultation with the TCCs became more frequent.
Liberian Sanctions Committee Singapore also chaired the Liberian Sanctions Committee, probably the third most active sanctions committee after the Iraq and Afghanistan sanctions committees. The Liberian sanctions committee was tasked to monitor sanctions against the predatory regime of Charles Taylor. Christine Lee, Patrick Sim and I made an exciting trip to five countries in West Africa (Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria) to observe the situation on the ground (and one of the U.N. helicopters we took in Sierra Leone crashed a few weeks later). We had no illusions that we could change the fundamental directions of the Committee. But we tried to introduce where possible, the Singapore standards of bureaucratic competence and efficiency. Indeed, throughout our two-year stint, we tried to make the Council’s working methods more transparent and predictable.
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One of our key achievements was to transform the enormous, largely repetitive, mostly unsubstantive annual report of the UNSC to the UNGA into a tighter, more analytical and user-friendly report. This won us considerable praise when we succeeded. Another significant achievement (working with Jamaica) was to set up a new system of drawing lots for speaking positions. This transparent system killed the ability of the junior P5 diplomats to engineer good speaking slots behind the scene. Inevitably, we faced some ire from the P5 when we suggested procedural improvements but the more fair-minded among them applauded our good faith efforts to level the playing field in Council working methods. Our efforts to bring in McKinsey Consulting (on a pro bono basis) to help reform the Council’s working methods failed because transparency and predictability would only lead to a level playing field between the P5 and the E10. During our stint in the UNSC, we became acutely aware of many defects and deficiencies of the UNSC. We were stunned to discover that in the Iraq Oil-for-Food Programme (OFP) (meant to manage Iraq’s oil finances and alleviate its humanitarian situation and which has since become a major political liability for the UN), the Iraqi people were allowed no legal recourse if shoddy commercial goods were shipped to them. Umej Singh Bhatia was among the most active E10 members of the OFP committee. In the end, the interests of the major powers prevailed here, as elsewhere. In the Council, we also remained true to the time tested tradition of Singapore’s foreign policy — to recognise fundamental geopolitical realities and adapt to them. Hence, in many ways, the P5 also found Singapore’s sense of realism to be useful. We had publicly warned Iraq of the dangers of ignoring U.N. sanctions. Sadly our warnings were not heeded. Similarly, on the Middle East, we urged the NonAligned Movement (NAM) caucus to take more balanced positions. We once shocked the NAM caucus by refusing to automatically cosponsor a Middle East resolution. We also expressed disquiet over
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the shadow of a Rwandan-type genocide in Burundi, demonstrating our concern for humanitarian questions. Not long after we left the Council in December 2002, we learned what a difference the composition of the E10 can make. The last UNSC resolution on Iraq (apart from some decisions on Iraqi sanctions), to be adopted unanimously before the Iraq war was UNSC resolution of 1441, adopted on 8 November 2002. On 31 December 2002, Singapore, Ireland, Norway, Colombia and Mauritius left the Council to be replaced by Pakistan, Germany, Spain, Chile and Angola. All the efforts to restore the consensus on Iraq failed in early 2003, leading to the tragic events of that year.
Reflections Looking back on our 2001/2002 UNSC term, it is clear that we participated in two different Security Councils. Pre-9/11, we experienced the relatively normal pace of the UNSC of the late 1990s. Post-9/11, the UNSC went into fast-forward mode, pushing through many counter-terrorism resolutions, legitimizing the war in Afghanistan, and developing a new consensus on Iraq. Our work load probably doubled in the second half. But the size of our UNSC team remained the same. It is a real tribute to our team and to the MFA HQ that a small state like us could experience and handle this great surge in UNSC work while continuing to maintain Singapore’s blue-chip reputation in the U.N. This blue-chip reputation is a real national asset. Its value should not be underestimated. An awareness of this asset should be embedded into the cultural DNA of future generations of Foreign Service Officers. It began with the then Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam’s stirring speeches in the U.N. (which are still worth reading), and continued with a succession of good Permanent Representatives and their excellent teams. Each Singapore Foreign Service Officer should see it as his or her duty to preserve this asset in the U.N.
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Fate and Circumstance Mr. TAN Chin Tiong has had postings to the Ministry of Finance (Economic Development Division) and the Ministry of Law. He served with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from 1967 to 1982, retiring as Deputy Chief of General Staff. He was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (1982–1993), Ministry of Finance (1993–1995), Ministry of Information and the Arts (1995–1997) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (April 1997 to July 2004). He is currently Singapore’s Ambassador to Japan.
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n 1 April 1997, I reported for duty at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) as Permanent Secretary (Development). I had been told in late February 1997 by the then Minister for Information & The Arts (MITA) George Yeo that I would be relinquishing my post as the Permanent Secretary of MITA on 31 March 1997 and be reassigned to MFA. The thought that immediately struck me was “why me?”. I was already 52 at that time, too old to learn to be a diplomat. I had served the greater part of my career in Defence and Home Affairs and had little inkling of how MFA operated. Not only was I to leave MITA but my Deputy Secretary then, Mr. Tan Tee How (now Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Development), was also being reassigned to the Prime Minister’s Office as then PM Goh Chok Tong’s new Principal Private Secretary. The head of MITA’s Media Division, Chan Heng Wing, was returning to MFA to be posted to Hong Kong as Consul-General. When I protested to Minister Yeo that the movement of MITA’s three key officers simultaneously would have an adverse effect on the Ministry, Minister Yeo in his characteristic optimistic way, said, “It is good for MITA, because it shows that we have good people that other Ministries want.”
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3UCCESS !FTER 4HREE 4RIES 4WO WEEKS BEFORE ) REPORTED TO -&! ) CALLED ON 0ROFESSOR 3 *AYAKUMAR -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS TO lND OUT WHAT HE EXPECTED OF ME FOR MY NEW ASSIGNMENT 7HEN ) ENTERED HIS OFlCE HE SMILED AT ME AND SAID h$ID YOU EXPECT TO BE POSTED TO -&! v ) SMILED WITHOUT REPLYING (E WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE WERE TWO OCCASIONS WHEN ) ALMOST GOT POSTED TO -&! 4HE lRST WAS IN !PRIL 4HE SECOND WAS IN )T WAS PLANNED THAT ) WOULD BE POSTED TO &OREIGN !FFAIRS AS 3ECOND 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY AFTER MY STINT IN THE 3INGAPORE !RMED &ORCES 3!& 4HIS WAS HOWEVER CHANGED AT THE LAST MINUTE THROUGH THE INTERVENTION OF -R (OWE 9OON #HONG THEN $EFENCE -INISTER (E CALLED ME UP TO HIS OFlCE AT THE OLD $EFENCE -INISTRY (1 BUILDING (E SAID h4HEY WANT TO SEND YOU TO -&! ) SAID @NO -&! CHAPS DONT WORK 4HEY TALK ONLY ) WANT THEM TO POST YOU TO THE -INISTRY OF (OME !FFAIRS WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONEv -Y MIND WAS BACK TO !PRIL SOME YEARS AGO ) HAD JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &INANCE -/& AS !DMINISTRATIVE !SSISTANT ON !PRIL -Y SUPERVISOR WAS -R .GIAM 4ONG $OW THEN $EPUTY 3ECRETARY /N MY lRST DAY OF WORK AT -/& HE TOLD ME THAT MY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY WOULD BE TO ASSIST IN $EVELOPMENT 6OTES ) HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS TO BE 3ECRETARY TO 4ENDERS "OARD ! AND TO ASSIST IN )NTERNATIONAL -ONETARY &UND )-& MATTERS "OARD OF 'OVERNORS OF #URRENCY AND A HOST OF OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES ALL OF THEM 'REEK TO ME ) ONLY KNEW THAT THE -/&S %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT $IVISION %$$ WAS A RATHER ENVIED POSTING BECAUSE ITS 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY WAS -R 3IM +EE "OON AND HE HAD A GROUP OF HIGH mYERS AS HIS ASSISTANTS 4HERE WAS -R * 9 0ILLAY $IRECTOR OF %CONOMIC 0LANNING 5NIT -R 'OH #HOK 4ONG HAD RECENTLY LEFT %$$ THEN TO START .EPTUNE /RIENT ,INES 4HE &INANCE -INISTER WAS -R ,IM +IM 3AN
-&! HAS TWO 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARIES
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/N THE SECOND DAY IN %$$ ) RECEIVED A CALL FROM -R 3 2 .ATHAN OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS NOW 0RESIDENT OF 3INGAPORE (E WAS THEN $EPUTY 3ECRETARY 0OLITICAL $IVISION AND HE ASKED TO SEE ME IN #ITY (ALL (E HAD BEEN ALERTED BY -R ,AU 4EIK 3OON WHO WAS ONE YEAR MY SENIOR IN THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE TO RECRUIT ME FOR -&!S mEDGLING DIPLOMATIC SERVICE ) DULY WENT TO SEE -R .ATHAN THE FOLLOWING DAY AT HIS SIMPLE OFlCE IN #ITY (ALL %XTREMELY BUSY HE WAS VERY WARM AND ASKED ME TO CONSIDER -&! 7HEN ) READILY AGREED HE SAID THAT ) SHOULD LEAVE IT TO HIM TO SORT THINGS OUT AND ASKED ME TO RETURN TO MY OFlCE AT &ULLERTON BUILDING WHICH THEN HOUSED %$$ AND OTHER -/& DEPARTMENTS 4HE NEXT MORNING ) HAD A CALL FROM -R .GIAMS 0ERSONAL !SSISTANT TO SEE HIM IN HIS OFlCE ) TOLD MYSELF THAT WAS IT ) AM GOING TO -&! )NSTEAD A VERY STERN -R .GIAM TOLD ME IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS ) WAS NOT GOING ANYWHERE ) PROTESTED THAT BEING A HISTORIAN BY TRAINING ) PREFERRED -&! (E TOLD ME QUITE SHARPLY h9OUR UNIVERSITY DEGREE DOES NOT EQUIP YOU FOR ANY -INISTRY IN PARTICULAR 9OU WILL lT IN AT THE %$$v -Y AMBITION TO JOIN THE mEDGLING DIPLOMATIC SERVICE HAD COME TO NAUGHT -Y STAY IN %$$ WAS SHORT AS THE GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING THE "RITISH LABOUR GOVERNMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT OF WITHDRAWAL %AST OF 3UEZ ENACTED NATIONAL SERVICE LEGALISATION REQUIRING ALL NEWLY APPOINTED CIVIL SERVANTS TO SERVE IN NATIONAL SERVICE )N 3EPTEMBER ) ENLISTED FOR .ATIONAL 3ERVICE 4HE LESSON FROM THIS EPISODE WAS THAT WHEN PLANS DO NOT MATERIALISE ADAPT AND MOVE ON
.ATIONAL $AY #ELEBRATIONS )N MID WHILE STILL A PLATOON COMMANDER WITH THE 3IXTH )NFANTRY "ATTALION ) WAS CALLED TO MY #OMMANDING /FlCERS OFlCE (E SAID h9OUNG MAN YOU ARE GOING TO BE SECONDED TO THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS FOR A FEW WEEKS TO SERVE AS A LIAISON OFlCER
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FOR THE TH CELEBRATIONS OF 3INGAPOREv )T APPEARED THAT THE 'OVERNMENT WAS GOING TO INVITE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 'OVERNMENTS OF THE OTHER &IVE 0OWER $EFENCE AGREEMENT &0$! AS 66)0S FOR THE .ATIONAL $AY CELEBRATIONS 4HEY INCLUDED (2( 0RINCESS !LEXANDRA AS 3PECIAL 2EPRESENTATIVE OF 1UEEN %LIZABETH -ALAYSIAN $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER 4UN !BDUL 2AZAK THEN !USTRALIAN %DUCATION AND 3CIENCE -INISTER -ALCOM &RASER AND THE .EW :EALAND -INISTER OF "ROADCASTING ,ANCE 2AYMOND !DAMS 3CHNEIDER &OUR YOUNG NATIONAL SERVICE 3!& OFlCERS HAD BEEN CHOSEN INCLUDING MYSELF ) WAS TO BE LIAISON OFlCER TO THE .EW :EALAND -INISTER 7E REPORTED TO -&!S 0ROTOCOL $EPARTMENT A WEEK BEFORE THE .ATIONAL $AY 4HE #HIEF OF 0ROTOCOL WAS ,ARRY /NG AND HIS ASSISTANT WAS 3 0URVIRASA 0URVIRASA WHO APPEARED TO BE DOING MOST OF THE RUNNING AROUND IN THE 0ROTOCOL $EPARTMENT SPOKE CONlDENTLY OF HIS MANY EXPERIENCES WITH 6)0S AND 6)0 OCCASIONS AND GAVE US A LOT OF INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBILITIES MOST OF WHICH WE COULD NOT FATHOM 7E WERE TOLD THAT THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE #ELEBRATIONS WOULD BE THE OPENING OF THE 3ELETAR 2ESERVOIR ON !UGUST AND THE .ATIONAL $AY 0ARADE ON !UGUST 4HE FOUR 66)0S FROM THE &0$! COUNTRIES WOULD BE 'UESTS OF (ONOUR AT THESE TWO FUNCTIONS /N !UGUST WE ESCORTED OUR 66)0 GUESTS TO #ITY (ALL FRONTING THE 0ADANG WHERE THE .ATIONAL $AY 0ARADE WAS TO BE HELD 4HERE WAS A LOT OF PRIDE AS WE WATCHED THE TANNED NATIONAL SERVICEMEN FROM THE NEWLY FORMED 3INGAPORE !RMED &ORCES UNITS MARCH PAST 4HE HIGHLIGHT WAS THE DRIVE PAST BY THE TH 3INGAPORE !RMOURED 2EGIMENT IN THEIR NEWLY ACQUIRED REFURBISHED &RENCH !-8 TANKS 4HERE WERE MORE THAN TANKS ALL MANNED BY NEWLY RETURNED )SRAELI TRAINED 3INGAPORE SERVICEMEN 4HIS WAS THE lRST TIME THAT THE PUBLIC HAD SEEN TANKS ON PARADE
2EFERRING TO THE TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF 3INGAPORE BY 3IR 3TAMFORD 2AFmES
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4HE FOLLOWING DAY !UGUST WAS THE DAY OF THE OPENING OF 3ELETAR 2ESERVOIR BY (2( 0RINCESS !LEXANDRA OF +ENT THE 3PECIAL 2EPRESENTATIVE OF 1UEEN %LIZABETH 7E THE FOUR LIAISON OFlCERS ASSEMBLED AT #ITY (ALL AND PROCEEDED TO ESCORT OUR 66)0 GUESTS TO THE 2ESERVOIR /N THAT OCCASION IF ANYTHING COULD GO WRONG IT DID /UR VEHICLES FETCHING THE 66)0S TO THE RESERVOIR GOT LOST ALONG THE WAY AND ARRIVED LATE FOR THE EVENT !LL THE OTHER 66)0 GUESTS WERE WAITING AND 0URVIRASA THE 0ROTOCOL OFlCER CO ORDINATING THE EVENT WAS FURIOUS !S OUR LATE ARRIVAL WAS IN FULL VIEW OF ALL THE 3INGAPORE 66)0S AND ASSEMBLED GUESTS THIS INCIDENT CAME IMMEDIATELY TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR POLITICAL MASTERS 7E KNEW WE WERE IN TROUBLE 5PON OUR RETURN TO -&! THE NEXT MORNING WE WERE TOLD QUITE STERNLY THAT ALL FOUR OF US WOULD BE hSACKEDv "UT AS IT TURNED OUT THIS INSTRUCTION COULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT AS SACKING US IN EFFECT WOULD HAVE MEANT LETTING US OFF FROM SERVING THE REMAINING OF OUR NATIONAL SERVICE 7E WOULD HAVE BEEN LET OFF TOO EASILY 7E WERE INDEED LUCKY 7HEN ) WAS ASSIGNED TO -&! IN THE 0ROTOCOL $IRECTORATE UNDER 4AN +ENG *IN A FORMER (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO "RUNEI BORE NO SEMBLANCE TO WHAT IT WAS IN )T WAS HIGHLY ORGANISED WITH AN ELAN AND ESPIRIT THAT BELONGED TO A TOP NOTCH ORGANISATION )T WAS COMMON FOR THE $IRECTORATE TO SUPPORT SIMULTANEOUS VISITS 7E WERE THEN PREPARING FOR OUR 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL SEAT ELECTION AND THERE WAS A SPECIAL EXERCISE TO INVITE AND RECEIVE 66)0S FROM ALL OVER !SIA AND !FRICA -&!S 0ROTOCOL DEPARTMENT HAD INDEED COME A LONG WAY FROM 4HE 0ROTOCOL $IRECTORATE IN HAD ALL THE HALLMARKS OF AN EXCELLENT UNIT WITH METICULOUS ORGANISATION SUPERVISION AND IMPLEMENTATION BY SUPERVISORS AT EVERY LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT "EING SENT AS A ROOKIE TO -&! AT A LATE AGE REQUIRED ME TO ADAPT QUICKLY TO A NEW AND DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT )N TUMULTUOUS EVENTS WERE TAKING PLACE THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE !SSOCIATION OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN .ATIONS !3%!. BY ,AOS AND -YANMAR THE lNANCIAL CRISIS AND IMPENDING POLITICAL CHANGES IN )NDONESIA AND ELSEWHERE IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA 4HE SITUATION CALLED FOR ADAPTABILITY
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AND mEET FOOTEDNESS 3EASONED DIPLOMATS AND CADETS WITH SUCH QUALITIES WERE ASSETS IN DEMAND -Y MEETING WITH -R 3 2 .ATHAN IN HAD LEFT A DEEP IMPRINT IN MY MIND ! JUNIOR UNTESTED YOUNG ADMINISTRATIVE OFlCER WAS NOT TOO LOW FOR HIM TO SERVE IN HIS MISSION TO BUILD 3INGAPORES DIPLOMATIC CORPS 7HEN ) JOINED -&! IN -R .ATHAN WAS THEN !MBASSADOR !T ,ARGE IN THE -INISTRY AFTER AN ILLUSTRIOUS STINT AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO -ALAYSIA AND !MBASSADOR TO 7ASHINGTON 7ITH -&! GRAPPLING WITH MANY PRIORITIES IN AN ENLARGED !3%!. !SIA %UROPE -EETING !3%- 3INGAPORES CANDIDACY FOR 5.3# ELECTIONS AND THE lRST SIGNS OF REGIONAL TURBULENCE THE CHALLENGE WAS HOW WE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAN -&! AND ITS MISSIONS OVERSEAS WITH WELL TRAINED AGILE AND HIGHLY MOTIVATED DIPLOMATS TO MEET THE NEW AND UNCERTAIN SITUATION -Y STINT IN THE 3!& AND THE -&! HAD TAUGHT ME THAT TO MEET SUCH A CHALLENGE SUCCESSFULLY THE COMMITMENT OF TOP MANAGEMENT WAS CRUCIAL )N THIS ) WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE ABLE DEPUTIES #HEW 4AI 3OO !LAN #HAN "ILAHARI +AUSIKAN 0EK (OCK 4HIAM (O #HEOK 3UN AND ,EE #HIONG 'IAM #OLLECTIVELY THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SHAPE -&!S TALENT POOL AND MANAGEMENT CULTURE DURING MY STINT AS 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY -&! FROM !PRIL TO *ULY
,ATER 3ECOND 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY
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3OME &UNDAMENTALS OF 3INGAPORES &OREIGN 0OLICY -R "ILAHARI +!53)+!. IS CURRENTLY THE 3ECOND 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS (E WAS EDUCATED AT 2AFmES )NSTITUTION THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE AND #OLUMBIA 5NIVERSITY IN .EW 9ORK )N THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS HE HAS SERVED ON THE .ORTH !MERICA $ESK AS &IRST 3ECRETARY IN THE 3INGAPORE EMBASSY IN 7ASHINGTON $# AS $IRECTOR FOR 3OUTH EAST !SIA $IRECTOR FOR %AST !SIA AND THE 0ACIlC AND AS $EPUTY 3ECRETARY FOR 3OUTH EAST !SIA (E HAS ALSO SERVED AS THE 0RESS 3ECRETARY TO THE -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND AS THE -INISTRYS SPOKESMAN (E SERVED AS THE 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN .EW 9ORK FROM TO WITH CONCURRENT ACCREDITATION AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO #ANADA AND !MBASSADOR TO -EXICO 0RIOR TO THIS APPOINTMENT HE SERVED AS !MBASSADOR TO THE 2USSIAN &EDERATION FROM TO WITH CONCURRENT ACCREDITATION AS !MBASSADOR TO &INLAND )N !UGUST HE WAS AWARDED THE 0UBLIC !DMINISTRATION -EDAL 'OLD )N $ECEMBER HE WAS AWARDED THE h/RDER OF "ERNARDO /(IGGINSv WITH THE RANK OF h'RAN #RUZv BY THE 0RESIDENT OF THE 2EPUBLIC OF #HILE
/N "EING 3MALL E ARE A SMALL COUNTRY WITH NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT OURSELVES 7E GET NO PLEASURE FROM CAPERING ABOUT ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE MERELY TO CUT A lNE lGURE /UR KEY INTERESTS ARE SIMPLE TO SURVIVE BECAUSE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SURVIVAL IS THE PRIME VALUE WITHOUT WHICH NO OTHER VALUE CAN BE REALISED AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR PEOPLE !S A SMALL COUNTRY IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA WE CANNOT BE ORDINARY IF WE ARE TO SURVIVE AND PROSPER 7E MUST BE DIFFERENT /THERWISE WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO DEAL WITH US RATHER THAN WITH LARGER COUNTRIES (EREIN LIES THE CENTRAL CHALLENGE FOR 3INGAPORE IN EVERY AREA INCLUDING FOREIGN POLICY )F WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR FOREIGN
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POLICY IT IS BECAUSE 3INGAPORE AS A COUNTRY IS SUCCESSFUL 4HE SUCCESS OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY IS NOT ENTIRELY DUE TO THE GENIUS GOOD LOOKS OR NATURAL CHARM OF OUR DIPLOMATS %VEN THE MOST BRILLIANT OF DIPLOMATS CANNOT CONDUCT A SUCCESSFUL FOREIGN POLICY OFF A BARREN ROCK "UT BEING DIFFERENT ALSO CREATES CERTAIN CHALLENGES VIS Ë VIS OUR NEIGHBOURS THE CORE OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY PROVOKING FEELINGS OF RESENTMENT AND JEALOUSY 7E ARE A MULTI RACIAL MERITOCRATIC SOCIETY -OST OTHER 3OUTH EAST !SIAN COUNTRIES ARE OTHERWISE ORGANISED .OR DO THEY ALWAYS SEE US AS WE SEE OURSELVES !LL TOO OFTEN THEY FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF OUR POPULATION IS #HINESE AND PROJECT UPON US THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS THEIR OWN #HINESE POPULATIONS 3OMETIMES OUR VERY SUCCESS OUR EXISTENCE AS A SUCCESSFUL SOVEREIGN INDEPENDENT MULTIRACIAL AND MERITOCRATIC COUNTRY IS SEEN AS A CHALLENGE TO OR AN IMPLICIT CRITICISM OF OTHER SYSTEMS /FTEN THE KEY ISSUE IS NOT WHAT WE DO IT IS WHAT WE ARE 7E HAVE TO ALWAYS DISTINGUISH OURSELVES FROM THE REST OF THE REGION WHILE NEVER FORGETTING THAT WE ARE INESCAPABLY PART OF THE REGION #OMPETITION IS A FACT OF LIFE 7E HAVE ACCEPTED THIS #OMPETITION OF COURSE CO EXISTS WITH COOPERATION !3%!. IS A KEY EXAMPLE 7E CAN WE MUST AND WE DO COOPERATE WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS 4HIS IS AN IMPERATIVE )NTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IS NOT NECESSARILY A ZERO SUM GAME "UT MANY IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD OFTEN THINK IT IS IN FACT A ZERO SUM GAME )T IS OFTEN PSYCHOLOGICALLY DIFlCULT FOR OTHERS TO ACCEPT THAT IF WE DO BETTER IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE WORKED HARDER IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO THINK THAT WE HAVE SOMEHOW CHEATED OR THAT WE EXIST ONLY AT THEIR SUFFERANCE 7E MUST COOPERATE WITHOUT ILLUSIONS 0ROBLEMS WILL INEVITABLY OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME AND THERE WILL BE UPS AND DOWNS IN RELATIONSHIPS 7E MUST ACCEPT THIS AND MANAGE THEM 7E SHOULD REGARD EVENTS WITH A CERTAIN PSYCHOLOGICAL EQUILIBRIUM NOT BECOMING EUPHORIC OR COMPLACENT WHEN THINGS ARE GOOD AND NOT PANICKING OR BECOMING DESPONDENT WHEN THINGS ARE BAD 7E NEED PATIENCE STAMINA STEADY NERVES AND A LONG TERM VIEW TAKING THINGS ONE STEP AT A TIME AND STANDING lRM ON FUNDAMENTALS
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4HE HARD FACT IS THAT ALTHOUGH WE HAVE BEEN INDEPENDENT FOR FORTY YEARS OUR INDEPENDENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY STILL SOMETIMES GRATES ON SOME )T MAY NOT BE SO IF WE WERE POOR AND UNSUCCESSFUL "UT WE ARE NOT AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE MEDIOCRE JUST TO MAKE OTHERS HAPPY /F COURSE WE SHOULD NOT PROVOKE OTHERS UNNECESSARILY 7E NEED NEITHER BE SHY ABOUT OUR ACHIEVEMENTS NOR BOASTFUL ABOUT THEM 7E WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH A CERTAIN DEGREE OF ENVY AND RESENTMENT AND MANAGE IT THE BEST WE CAN )T IS THE EXISTENTIAL CONDITION OF BEING 3INGAPOREAN 4HERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS !ND THERE ARE NO lNAL SOLUTIONS %VERY SOLUTION ENGENDERS A NEW SET OF PROBLEMS 7E MUST NEVER EVER LET CHALLENGES TO OUR SOVEREIGNTY PASS NO MATTER WHERE THE CHALLENGES COME FROM 7E ARE NOBODYS CLIENT STATE AND FROM TIME TO TIME HAVE HAD TO PROVE IT EVEN TO VERY FRIENDLY POWERFUL AND IMPORTANT COUNTRIES LIKE THE 53 OR #HINA /THERS ARE ALWAYS WATCHING .OTHING IS MORE DAMAGING THAN THE WHIFF OF WEAKNESS "UT IF THERE ARE NO lNAL SOLUTIONS THERE ARE ALSO GENERAL PRINCIPLES WHICH FORM THE CORE OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY
4HREE 0RINCIPLES &IRST WE ARE INESCAPABLY AND FOREVER PART OF 3OUTH EAST !SIA "UT WE MUST ALSO NEVER BE LIMITED TO OR BE TRAPPED BY 3OUTH EAST !SIA 7E COINED THE SLOGAN hGLOBAL CITY WITH THE WORLD AS OUR HINTERLANDv BEFORE THERE WAS SUCH A THING AS A GLOBAL ECONOMY IN ITS CONTEMPORARY SENSE 4HANKFULLY THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IS NOW A REALITY 7E MUST REMAIN PLUGGED INTO IT AND ENSURE THAT THE REGION REMAINS OPEN 3ECOND THE KEY STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE OF 3INGAPORE IS TO CREATE POLITICAL DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC SPACE 4O DO SO WE MUST ALWAYS REACH BEYOND OUR IMMEDIATE REGION AND MAINTAIN A LIFELINE TO THE WORLD AT LARGE 4HIS IS NOT JUST A MATTER FOR THE &OREIGN -INISTRY ALONE )T IS A QUESTION OF THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT THE WHOLE SOCIETY WORKING TOGETHER OF COURSE IN DIFFERENT WAYS BUT WITH COMMON
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PRINCIPLES UNCONSCIOUSLY SHARED ASSUMPTIONS AND SHARED GOALS &OREIGN POLICY IN SHORT IS TOO IMPORTANT TO BE LEFT ONLY TO THE LIKES OF DIPLOMATS 4HE PRESSURES OF GLOBALISATION ARE IN FACT ERASING THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS AND BETWEEN DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL POLICIES 4HIRD THERE MUST BE A BALANCE OF MAJOR POWERS IN OUR REGION AND IN THE WORLD 3MALL STATES CAN SURVIVE ONLY IN THE INTERSTICES CREATED BY THE MAJOR POWERS !S A SMALL STATE WE HAVE INTEREST IN THE RULE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND IN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS "UT INTERNATIONAL LAW IS NOT AN AUTONOMOUS REALM )T IS A CIVILISING MYTH THAT THE WORLD HAS CREATED SO THAT WE MAY LIVE IN A CIVILISED MANNER )T IS IN OUR INTEREST TO PROMOTE THIS MYTH "UT TO BELIEVE OUR OWN PROPAGANDA IS ALWAYS FATAL )NTERNATIONAL LAW AND INSTITUTIONS BASED ON THE IDEAL OF LAW SUCH AS THE 5. CAN ONLY mOURISH WITHIN A STABLE BALANCE OF POWER )T IS IN OUR INTEREST TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO PROMOTE SUCH A BALANCE
3TAYING 2ELEVANT 4O REACH BEYOND 3OUTH EAST !SIA TO CREATE SPACE TO ENABLE US TO PROMOTE A BALANCE OF POWER 3INGAPORE MUST KEEP RELEVANT 3MALL STATES CANNOT TAKE THEIR RELEVANCE FOR GRANTED 3MALL STATES PLAY NO IRREPLACEABLE ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM 4HEIR RELEVANCE MUST BE CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED 4HIS DEPENDS ON HOW SUCCESSFUL WE ARE IN ALIGNING OUR INTERESTS WITH THE INTERESTS OF OTHER COUNTRIES )NTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IS NOT A LOVE AFFAIR NOR IS IT A SEMINAR WHERE WIT AND LOGIC MUST PREVAIL %VEN THE MOST BRILLIANT INSIGHT OF A SMALL COUNTRY CAN BE SAFELY IGNORED IF INCONVENIENT "UT EVEN THE SILLIEST IDEA OF A LARGE COUNTRY MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE A LARGE COUNTRY CAN DO 3MALL STATES ARE VULNERABLE (ISTORICALLY SMALL CITY STATES HAVE NOT SURVIVED FOR VERY LONG 7E HAVE TO BEAT THE ODDS $ETERRENCE AND DIPLOMACY ARE DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE SAME COIN NOT ALTERNATIVES
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3O FAR WE HAVE DONE WELL "UT WE FACE MANY CHALLENGES AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE MAY BRING ! KEY FACTOR IN FACING THE FUTURE WITH CONlDENCE IS TO AVOID COMPLACENCY ! SENSE OF VULNERABILITY KEEPS US ALERT )T IS OFTEN SAID THAT 3INGAPORE PUNCHES ABOVE ITS WEIGHT IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS /N OCCASION WE DO AND WE MUST STRIVE TO DO SO "UT AGAIN LET US NOT BELIEVE OUR OWN PROPAGANDA )NTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IS NOT A BOXING MATCH WITH lXED RULES 7HAT IF SOMEONE SUDDENLY PULLS A GUN
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&RIENDS AND )DEAS IN $IPLOMACY 0ROFESSOR #(!. (ENG #HEE IS 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO THE 5NITED 3TATES 3HE IS ALSO A 0ROFESSOR OF 0OLITICAL 3CIENCE 3HE JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS IN *ANUARY (ER PREVIOUS POSITIONS INCLUDE 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO #ANADA AND !MBASSADOR TO -EXICO 3HE HELD THE POST OF $IRECTOR OF THE )NSTITUTE OF 0OLICY 3TUDIES )NSTITUTE OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 3TUDIES AND 3INGAPORE )NTERNATIONAL &OUNDATION 3HE HAS SERVED ON MANY )NTERNATIONAL !DVISORY "OARDS AND AUTHORED SEVERAL ARTICLES AND BOOKS ON 3INGAPORE 3OUTH EAST !SIA AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY !MBASSADOR #HAN HAS RECEIVED A NUMBER OF AWARDS INCLUDING THE 0UBLIC !DMINISTRATION -EDAL 'OLD )NAUGURAL )NTERNATIONAL 7OMAN OF THE 9EAR !WARD BY THE /RGANISATION OF #HINESE !MERICAN 7OMEN /#!7 AND 3INGAPORES lRST 7OMAN OF THE 9EAR !WARD
ICHARD !RMITAGE $EPUTY 3ECRETARY OF 3TATE IN THE lRST !DMINISTRATION OF 0RESIDENT 'EORGE 7 "USH WAS ASKED BY #HARLIE 2OSE IN AN EXIT INTERVIEW WHAT HE LEARNT IN HIS FOUR YEARS IN OFlCE THAT HE DID NOT KNOW BEFORE HE JOINED THE 3TATE $EPARTMENT !RMITAGES REPLY WAS h)VE LEARNED THAT FOREIGN POLICY MAKING IS MUCH MORE A PERSONAL THING THROUGH PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE OVERSEAS AS IT IS WITH THE SORT OF GREAT IDEAS THAT SPRING FROM A NATION )VE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE WHAT SWAY PEOPLE AND BRING PEOPLE TO YOUR SIDE !ND ) DIDNT REALISE HOW MUCH THAT WAS THE CASE ) ALWAYS THINK IT WAS THE POWER OF IDEAS THOSE ARE HELPFUL AND THEYRE GOOD BUT ITS PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPSv !RMITAGE HIGHLIGHTED THE PERSONAL TO RESTORE THE BALANCE IN AN !DMINISTRATION KNOWN FOR ITS IDEOLOGICAL THRUST ) WAS STRUCK BY HIS STATEMENT !RMITAGE IS A BATTLE TESTED OFlCIAL AND HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS SAYING ) APPRECIATE WHAT HE IS SAYING "UT ) WOULD NOT DE EMPHASISE THE POWER OF IDEAS -Y REmECTIONS ARE UPON THE RELATIVE PLACE OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND IDEAS IN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY
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4HE 0OWER OF )DEAS 3INGAPORE IS A SMALL COUNTRY A CITY STATE TO BE EXACT &OR A SMALL COUNTRY PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BIG COUNTRIES THE POWER AND POSSESSION OF IDEAS AND BIG IDEAS IN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY CAN HELP IT SECURE A VOICE IN THE WORLD *OHN )KENBERRY A PROFESSOR AT 0RINCETON 5NIVERSITY DESCRIBED 3INGAPORE ) AM TOLD AS hA SMALL COUNTRY THAT THINKS LIKE A GREAT POWERv )T IS OPINIONS SUCH AS THIS THAT HAS GIVEN 3INGAPORE A PLACE IN THE WORLD THOUGH WE SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED AWAY BY OUR IMPORTANCE OR WEIGHT 3INGAPORES LEADERS HAVE BEEN KNOWN FOR THEIR STRATEGIC VISION THEIR ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND ANALYSE THE TRENDS AND DYNAMICS IN THE REGION AND THE WORLD AND THEIR ABILITY TO PROPOSE CONSTRUCTIVE INITIATIVES ! BIG OR MIDDLE SIZED COUNTRY WITH NATURAL RESOURCES PEOPLE AND LAND NATURALLY CARRIES WEIGHT )F IT POSSESSES A STRATEGIC RESOURCE SUCH AS OIL OR IS LOCATED IN AN IMPORTANT REGION SOONER OR LATER IT WILL COMPEL ATTENTION
3INGAPORE ! 'LOBAL #ITY !S EARLY AS LONG BEFORE GLOBALISATION WAS RECOGNISED AS A PHENOMENON THEN &OREIGN -INISTER 3 2AJARATNAM SUGGESTED THAT 3INGAPORE SHOULD SEE ITSELF AS hA GLOBAL CITYv ! COUNTRY WITHOUT A HINTERLAND SHOULD REACH OUT AND TURN THE WORLD INTO ITS HINTERLAND 2AJARATNAM WAS A MAN OF IDEAS (E ALSO COINED THE TERM hPROXY WARSv TO DESCRIBE WHAT A SUPERPOWER SUCH AS THE 3OVIET 5NION WAS DOING BY ASSISTING 6IETNAM TO INVADE #AMBODIA IN )T WAS THE CONTINUING #OLD 7AR CONmICT OF THE 3OVIET 5NION AGAINST THE 5NITED 3TATES AND THE 3INO 3OVIET CONmICT 0RIME -INISTER THEN 3ENIOR -INISTER AND NOW -INISTER -ENTOR ,EE +UAN 9EWS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SWEEPS OF HISTORY AND ABILITY TO DIAGNOSE TRENDS PARTICULARLY IN !SIA WITH CLARITY AND INEVITABILITY IS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED (IS FRANK SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF
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THE ))33 3HANGRI LA $IALOGUE IN ON )SLAMIC TERRORISM AND HIS SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE ,+9 3CHOOL OF 0UBLIC 0OLICY IN !PRIL COMPARING THE EMERGENCE OF #HINA AND )NDIA AS ECONOMIC POWERS WERE IN THE WORDS OF 3TROBE 4ALBOTT A FORMER 53 $EPUTY 3ECRETARY OF 3TATE UNDER THE #LINTON !DMINISTRATION hIN A CLASS BY ITSELFv -ORE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON ,EE +UAN 9EW BEST EMBODIED 3INGAPORE AS A COUNTRY OF STRATEGIC THOUGHT
0URSUING 2EGIONALISM )N RECENT YEARS 3INGAPORE HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE OF REGIONALISM THE IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUES AS A MECHANISM TO ESTABLISH NETWORKS CONNECTIVITY AND TO BUILD COMMUNITY IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD 7E CAME UP WITH CONCEPTS LIKE THE !3%!. 2EGIONAL &ORUM !2& THE !SIA %UROPE -EETING !3%- AND THE &ORUM OF %AST !SIAn,ATIN !MERICA #OOPERATION &%!,!# AND DIALOGUES SUCH AS THE !SIA -IDDLE %AST $IALOGUE !-%$ 3INGAPORES WORLDVIEW SEES GREATER STABILITY AND CONSTRUCTIVE SYNERGY IN BRINGING DIFFERENT REGIONS TOGETHER WHETHER IT IS THE 5NITED 3TATES AND !SIA %UROPE AND !SIA OR THE -IDDLE %AST AND !SIA &REE 4RADE !GREEMENTS &4!S WERE PUSHED WHEN 'OH #HOK 4ONG WAS 0RIME -INISTER TO EXPAND OUR ECONOMIC SPACE AND &4!S HAVE BEEN EMBRACED BY OTHER COUNTRIES AS A FRUITFUL WAY TO ADVANCE TRADE LIBERALISATION 4HE MOST IMPORTANT FOR 3INGAPORE WAS THE 5NITED 3TATES 3INGAPORE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 533&4! BUT OTHERS SUCH AS THE *APAN 3INGAPORE %CONOMIC 0ARTNERSHIP !GREEMENT *3%0! AND THE &4!S WITH .EW :EALAND AND !USTRALIA WERE PATH BREAKING EACH IN ITS OWN WAY 3OME IDEAS DID NOT GO DOWN AS WELL 3INGAPORES ADVOCACY OF h!SIAN VALUESv IN A DEBATE THAT OCCURRED IN THE EARLY NINETIES MET WITH GREAT RESISTANCE FROM THE 7EST 4HE LESSON LEARNT MUST SURELY BE HOW DIFlCULT IT IS TO ARGUE AGAINST A HEGEMONIC IDEA "UT ) BELIEVE WE SUCCESSFULLY DREW ATTENTION TO THE POSSIBILITY OF ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
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4HE hVISION THINGv HAS CONVERTED 3INGAPORE INTO A PLAYER ON THE REGIONAL AND GLOBAL STAGE )DEAS SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED PROVIDE A TANGIBLE TRACK RECORD 4HIS IS TRANSLATED INTO CREDIBILITY A VALUABLE CURRENCY FOR ANY COUNTRY
5NITED 3TATES )N THE 5NITED 3TATES A COUNTRY TO WHICH ) HAVE BEEN ACCREDITED AS !MBASSADOR FROM *ULY TILL THE TIME OF WRITING 3INGAPORE ENJOYS A GOOD REPUTATION 4HE ONE LOW POINT IN OUR OTHERWISE STABLE AND GOOD 53 3INGAPORE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP WAS THE ERUPTION OF INTENSE ILL FEELING OVER THE -ICHAEL &AY EPISODE IN &OR TWO YEARS THIS INCIDENT OF AN !MERICAN TEENAGER WHO WAS CANED FOR VANDALISING A NUMBER OF CARS WAS REPORTED AND EXAGGERATED IN THE 53 MEDIA )T TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN 2ELATIONS BETWEEN THE 5NITED 3TATES AND 3INGAPORE WERE SEVERELY STRAINED )T WAS MISINTERPRETED AS 3INGAPORES INSISTENCE ON ASSERTING h!SIAN VALUESv %VEN IN THE DOWNTURN OF THE RELATIONSHIP 3INGAPORE AS A PURVEYOR OF IDEAS WAS NOT LOST "UT 3INGAPORE FROM THEN ON NEVER TOOK A GOOD 5NITED 3TATES RELATIONSHIP FOR GRANTED 3HORTLY AFTER ) ARRIVED IN 7ASHINGTON ) WAS AT A DINNER WHEN (ENRY +ISSINGER AND -AURICE h(ANKv 'REENBERG MEMBERS OF THE .IXON #ENTER "OARD APPROACHED ME TO ASCERTAIN IF 3ENIOR -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW WOULD ACCEPT THE .IXON #ENTER !WARD FOR h!RCHITECT OF THE .EXT #ENTURYv AT A BLACK TIE GALA DINNER 3ENIOR -INISTER ,EE DID (E CAME TO 7ASHINGTON AND THAT GLITTERING EVENING ON .OVEMBER ADDRESSED AN AUDIENCE COMPRISING 7ASHINGTONS POWER ELITE ON h!MERICAS )NTERESTS IN !SIAv REMINDING !MERICANS ONCE AGAIN WHY THEY RESPECTED HIM EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT ALWAYS AGREE WITH HIM 4HE TURN AROUND IN 53 3INGAPORE RELATIONS MAY HAVE BEGUN THERE 3ENIOR -INISTER LEARNT AT lRST HAND THAT NOT ALL OF THE 5NITED 3TATES OR 7ASHINGTON SHARED THE VIEWS OF THE HOSTILE 53 MEDIA ON 3INGAPORE "UT -INISTER -ENTOR ,EE +UAN 9EWS
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CONTRIBUTION TO 3INGAPORES INTERNATIONAL POSITION WAS NOT SIMPLY IN THE REALM OF IDEAS (E DEVELOPED STRONG PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS TOO (IS FRIENDSHIP WITH 0RESIDENT 'EORGE ( 7 "USH OR "USH HIS SHARED WARMTH WITH 0RESIDENT 2ONALD 2EAGAN HIS FRIENDSHIPS WITH (ENRY +ISSINGER 'EORGE 3HULTZ AND SO MANY OTHER EMINENT !MERICANS CARVED A PARTICULAR NICHE FOR 3INGAPORE IN THE 5NITED 3TATES (IS PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH 0RIME -INISTER 4ONY "LAIR OF "RITAIN &RENCH 0RESIDENT *ACQUES #HIRAC &RENCH 0RIME -INISTER 2AYMOND "ARRE #HANCELLOR (ELMUT 3CHMIDT #HANCELLOR (ELMUT +OHL AND NOW #HANCELLOR 'ERHARD 3CHROEDER AND THE LEADERS OF #HINA $ENG 8IAOPING AND *IANG :EMIN EXTENDED 3INGAPORES REACH THUS PAVING THE WAY FOR OTHER 3INGAPORE LEADERS AND DIPLOMATS (IS SUCCESSOR LEARNT FROM HIM
533&4! 4HE MOST SIGNIlCANT ACHIEVEMENT IN OUR BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE 5NITED 3TATES IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE CONCLUSION OF THE 533&4! IN (ERE TOO IS AN EXAMPLE OF A GREAT IDEA THAT NEEDED MORE THAN THE THOUGHT TO SEE FULlLMENT )T ILLUSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY )T NEEDED 0- 'OH #HOK 4ONG TO MAKE THE DEAL WITH 0RESIDENT "ILL #LINTON 4HIS HAPPENED ONE NIGHT ON A GOLF COURSE IN "ANDAR 3ERI "EGAWAN "RUNEI AS THE TWO LEADERS DISCUSSED GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS AFTER A GOLF GAME )T WAS NOT THE lRST TIME 0RESIDENT #LINTON MET 0- 'OH 4HEY lRST PLAYED GOLF TOGETHER AT THE !0%# MEETING OF IN 6ANCOUVER 4HEY HAD MET IN THE /VAL OFlCE AND AT !0%# MEETINGS 4HE TWO LEADERS DEVELOPED A GOOD PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AND CHEMISTRY 0RESIDENT #LINTON VISITED 3INGAPORE TWICE AFTER HE LEFT OFlCE 0RIME -INISTER 'OH ALSO STRUCK A WARM PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH 0RESIDENT 'EORGE 7 "USH 4HE TWO LEADERS TALKED OVER A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS 4HEY MET lVE TIMES OVER FOUR YEARS AND 0RESIDENT "USH VISITED 3INGAPORE IN 4HE POWER OF IDEAS THE SHARED INTERESTS AND PERSONAL
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RELATIONSHIPS HELPED TO CONVERT THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES SO MUCH THAT MANY DESCRIBE OUR RELATIONSHIP AS hNEVER BEEN BETTERv 4HE &4! WAS COMPLETED AND PASSED IN 0RESIDENT "USHS lRST TERM 3INGAPORE BECAME A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE 53 IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM AND IN THE #OALITION FOR THE )MMEDIATE $ISARMAMENT OF )RAQ
)MPORTANCE OF 0ERSONAL 2ELATIONSHIPS ) HAVE TOUCHED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF IDEAS AND OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN DIPLOMACY ,ET ME FURTHER ADD THAT ONE MUST NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS NOT JUST WITH !DMINISTRATION OFlCIALS OR THOSE IN THE IMMEDIATE POWER CIRCLE )N 7ASHINGTON IT IS CRUCIAL TO DEVELOP PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH A WIDE CIRCLE THOSE IN POWER AND THOSE OUT OF POWER THOSE IN THINK TANKS IN BUSINESS IN MEDIA AND THE .'/S 7ASHINGTON IS FAMOUSLY A PLACE OF REVOLVING DOORS 0EOPLE WHO HOLD POWER TODAY MAY LOSE IT AFTER FOUR YEARS 4HOSE OUT OF POWER CAN RETURN TO AN EVEN HIGHER APPOINTMENT LATER ON )T IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN ALL RELATIONSHIPS 4HESE RELATIONSHIPS CREATE A WEB A hCOMFORT ZONEv IN WHICH ONE OPERATES )F A PERSON IS OUT OF THE hCOMFORT ZONEv HE OR SHE WILL NOT REALISE IT "UT IF ONE CAN WORK WITHIN A hCOMFORT ZONEv THE RESULTS ARE MUCH ENHANCED &INALLY ) WOULD LIKE TO TURN TO SOMETHING 4OM &RIEDMAN WISELY WROTE (E WAS OF THE VIEW THAT hIN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AS IN SPORT IT IS BETTER TO BE LUCKY THAN GOODv .O WONDER .APOLEON ON THE EVE OF A BATTLE EXCLAIMED WHEN HE NEEDED TO REPLACE A GENERAL IN THE lELD h$ONT GIVE ME AN INTELLIGENT GENERAL 'IVE ME A LUCKY GENERALv !S A WORKING DIPLOMAT ) AM EVER CONSCIOUS THAT OPPORTUNITIES CAN PRESENT THEMSELVES WHICH CAN BE TURNED INTO AN IDEA OR AN INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP ,OOKING BACK ) WONDER THAT ) WAS SO LUCKY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENT THEMSELVES IN THE COURSE OF MY WORK "UT AS AN !MERICAN FRIEND REMINDED ME POINTEDLY h)T IS AMAZING 4HE HARDER ) WORK THE LUCKIER ) GETv
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An Accidental Diplomat Mrs. Jaya MOHIDEEN is Non-Resident Ambassador to the Czech Republic. She is also Managing Director of Investment Business-Link (S) Pte. Ltd. and Galerie Belvedere (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. She served in the Singapore Administrative Service for 28 years, 18 of which were spent in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), including a posting as Ambassador to Brussels, with concurrent accreditation to the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the European Union, and the Holy See. For her work in promoting bilateral economic relations between Singapore and the Netherlands she was knighted “Commandeur of the House of Orange” in 1993 by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and received the Wolfert van Borselen Medal from the City of Rotterdam. She was Vice-President of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2000–2002) and a Trustee of SINDA from 1998–2005. She is currently President of MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore), the largest government-funded voluntary Welfare organisation.
Building Excellence in the Foreign Service
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came to the Foreign Ministry in 1976 quite by accident. Having met me in the Ministry of Defence and Public Service Commission, Mr. Chia Cheong Fook, then Permanent Secretary (MFA), asked me to join his select team to restructure the Foreign Ministry and the nascent Foreign Service. The Permanent Secretary (Foreign Affairs) was Mr. S. R. Nathan who had been tasked by the Prime Minister to revamp the Foreign Service and its operations. Mr. Nathan established a solid foundation on which MFA’s structure and operations have been built. He is the architect of MFA and our Foreign Service. My assignment was to be for two years after which I was to be assigned to another Ministry as part of my regular postings in the Administrative Service. However arising from Mr. Chia’s stewardship, I served 18 years in MFA out of 117
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my 28 years in the Administrative Service. I was Singapore’s first career-woman Ambassador when I presented my credentials to the Belgian King in November 1989. I was concurrently accredited to the European Union, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the Holy See. My posting in Brussels culminated with a knighthood bestowed by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands for the promotion of bilateral economic relations and the Wolfert van Borselen Medal from the City of Rotterdam. My priorities when I came to MFA were to address immediate issues and at the same time to set long-term goals. My early years were spent in structure and institution building and in systems and people/software development. There was no definite structure then, no Foreign Service scheme, and our overseas allowances were still based on the Malaysian scheme despite having been independent for over 10 years. Most of the staff were on secondment from other Ministries and Services and did not have the professional training or knowledge to staff a Foreign Service. It was a monumental and painstaking process. My portfolio encompassed human resources, finance, properties, security, and information technology. Having been steeped in a male environment in MINDEF, I have always been gender neutral and did not espouse specific women’s issues. The first priority was to develop a first class Foreign Service as this is Singapore’s first line of defence and we would be pitted against brilliant minds in other foreign services. Having headed the Recruitment and Scholarships Divisions in the Public Service Commission, I was able to use the network and experience for the benefit of the Foreign Service. I was able to garner all possible resources to select the best from the local University, returning scholars, National Service Run-Out-Date lists, special recruitment exercises, etc. and did this systematically over several years. My first bumper batch was in 1979 which included Ong Keng Yong, A. Selverajah, Calvin Eu, Robert Chua, and Simon D’Cruz, all of whom are still in service with distinguished careers. I managed to
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secure Bilahari Kausikan from the University of Singapore1 who has become a star in our constellation. Others recruited include Jacky Foo, Chan Heng Wing, Karen Tan, Ashok Mirpuri, Vanu Gopala Menon and many more. High standards were maintained in the selection of senior Foreign Service Officers (FSOs). We did not allow our dire shortage to compromise on quality. The second priority was to train and groom them and others already in the Service, such as Peter Chan, Barry Desker, T. Jasudasen, for senior Foreign Service positions. Despite the shortage of staff, we ensured that in every year we would send a number of talented FSOs for postgraduate studies abroad. For instance, Barry Desker and Edward Lee are Indonesia experts, having completed area and language studies and repeat postings in Indonesia to reinforce their understanding of an important country. Broad-based attention was also placed on honing language skills at all levels. We also focused on improving the terms and conditions of service for staff posted abroad and embarked on a thorough review of overseas allowances with direct contributions from Prof. Lee Soo Ann and the Statistics Department (NUS). We began a systematic programme to purchase our own properties abroad so that we could improve the quality of life and ensure a proper standard of living for our FSOs. We now have an excellent Foreign Service which others are keen to emulate. I am honoured to have played a part in this vital area.
In Belgium and the Netherlands My understanding of the Foreign Service, despite my strong empathies, would not have been complete without an overseas posting. My posting for five years in Brussels was an important chapter in my own development. Of the five accreditations, I gave 1
Now known as the National University of Singapore (NUS).
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priority to the EU and the Netherlands. Within the EU, one needed to focus on targets and objectives. I actively cultivated Commissioner Abel Matutes (Spain), Vice-President Martin Bangeman (Germany), Pascal Lamy (then Head of Jacques Delors cabinet), Endymion Wilkinson (U.K.) who later became EU Ambassador to China, and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who could influence policies or who could pre-empt human rights resolutions against Singapore. Also important in this matrix were key member states who would share their information and analyses on developments within the EU which could have an impact on third countries such as Singapore so that we had early warnings of impending changes. We worked closely with our economic agencies to lobby against such changes and achieved successes. The ASEAN ambassadors in Brussels worked closely to attain common goals and in the process forged life-long bonds. My closest buddies were Danai Tulalamba of Thailand and Bobby Romulo of the Philippines; the latter became Foreign Minister and is currently Special Adviser to President Arroyo. The three of us worked closely with a small group of MEPs who passed a comprehensive resolution to broaden and deepen EU-ASEAN relations instead of focusing mainly on human rights issues. As for the Netherlands, the focus was primarily to enhance bilateral trade and investments. To this end I worked also with our economic agencies. Among our achievements was Shell’s decision to establish its R&D facilities in Singapore instead of Japan which was its original choice. Through the active support of our then Honorary Consul-General Dutch lawyer and MEP Jim Janssen van Raay, I managed to cultivate several captains of Dutch industry such as the Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell, Philips, Unilever, ABN, AMRO (then separate banks), Nedloyd, Port of Rotterdam, Mayors of Rotterdam and Amsterdam, Trade Minister Yvonne van Rooy, etc. The old-boy network could only be accessed by an outsider through
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an influential personality such as Jim. I used every such opportunity to leverage for the relevant Singapore economic agencies. Another success was to secure fifth freedom rights for Singapore Airlines from Amsterdam to New York which KLM had vigorously protected for many years. Most of my successes in The Netherlands must be credited to Jim, to whom I am eternally grateful. He was my sherpa in a difficult terrain. The Foreign Service offers excellent opportunities to challenge us beyond our own perceived limits. We should seize and maximise these opportunities for the benefit of our Service and Singapore.
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) 7ISH ) (AD A 7IFE -RS -ARY 3%%4 #(%.' HAS BEEN $IRECTOR 0OLICY $IVISION IN THE -ARITIME AND 0ORT !UTHORITY -0! OF 3INGAPORE SINCE &ROM TO SHE WAS WITH THE 3INGAPORE &OREIGN 3ERVICE (ER lRST OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT WAS AS &IRST 3ECRETARY IN #ANBERRA !USTRALIA FROM TO AND WAS !CTING (IGH #OMMISSIONER FROM /CTOBER UNTIL HER DEPARTURE 3HE WAS POSTED TO ,ONDON AS #OUNSELLOR AT THE 3INGAPORE (IGH #OMMISSION FROM TO AND WAS ACTING (IGH #OMMISSIONER THERE FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF HER TOUR $URING HER HOME POSTINGS SHE COVERED A WIDE PORTFOLIO INCLUDING THOSE IN THE %CONOMICS !3%!. 3OUTH EAST !SIA AND %UROPE AND .ORTH !MERICA $IRECTORATES 3HE ALSO HEADED THE -ANAGEMENT AND 0ERSONNEL $IRECTORATE BEFORE HER POSTING TO "RUSSELS &ROM TO SHE SERVED AS !MBASSADOR IN "RUSSELS AND WAS CONCURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO "ELGIUM THE .ETHERLANDS AND ,UXEMBOURG THE %UROPEAN #OMMISSION AND THE (OLY 3EE 3HE RETIRED FROM THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE IN TO MAKE THE PERMANENT MOVE TO -0!
HEN ) STARTED AT THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! IN THE EARLY SEVENTIES IT WAS NOT EASY TO BE A FEMALE DIPLOMAT 7HENEVER ) FACED THE THEN 0UBLIC 3ERVICE #OMMISSION FOR MY PROMOTION INTERVIEWS ) WAS ASKED THE SAME QUESTIONS h)SNT IT DIFlCULT FOR YOU AS A FEMALE DIPLOMAT v h(OW CAN YOU GET INFORMATION IF YOU CANT GO DRINKING WITH THE GUYS v AND h7HAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET MARRIED v *UDGING FROM THE SLOWNESS OF MY PROMOTIONS ) PROBABLY KEPT GIVING THE WRONG ANSWERS 4HE BELIEF THAT WOMEN WERE DISADVANTAGED AS DIPLOMATS WAS SO STRONG THAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AFTER ) JOINED THERE WAS A MORATORIUM ON RECRUITING WOMEN FOR THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE !S THE lRST FEMALE DIPLOMAT DIRECTLY RECRUITED INTO THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE WHO MADE IT THROUGH THE SYSTEM TO BECOME !MBASSADOR ) THOUGHT ) MIGHT USEFULLY SHARE MY REmECTIONS ON THESE PERCEIVED hDIFlCULTIESv FOR FEMALE DIPLOMATS
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4HE %S OF $IPLOMACY /N RETURNING FROM "RUSSELS IN FOR A TALK GIVEN TO THE -&! #LUB ) CONCEIVED OF THE h#S OF $IPLOMACYv AND HOW FEMALE DIPLOMATS COULD USE THEM TO THEIR ADVANTAGE 4HEY WERE PRACTICAL TIPS ON hWORKING THE lELDv IN AN OVERSEAS MISSION 4HE #S ) ENUMERATED WERE COMMON SENSE CUISINE CULTURE AND CHARISMA ) THOUGHT ) MIGHT REPRISE THEM FOR THE YOUNGER DIPLOMATS
#OMMON 3ENSE 4HE lRST # IS COMMON SENSE )N THE PIONEERING DAYS THERE WERE FEW ESTABLISHED 3TANDARD /PERATING 0ROCEDURES 3/0S OR MANUALS TO RELY ON 7ITH OUR LEAN MISSIONS WE HAD TO BE SELF RELIANT AND PULL OUR WEIGHT 7HEN ONE GETS THROWN IN AT THE DEEP END VERY EARLY IN ONES CAREER THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH WHAT ONE HAD TO RELY ON &OR EXAMPLE AFTER BARELY ONE YEAR INTO MY lRST OVERSEAS POSTING IN #ANBERRA ) BECAME THE !CTING (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD /NE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT JOBS FOR A DIPLOMAT IS TO BE ABLE TO NETWORK 4HIS MEANS ONE OFTEN HAS TO MAKE THE lRST MOVE IN DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH A CONTACT 3OME MEN IN SOME CULTURES ARE NOT USED TO WOMEN MAKING THE lRST MOVE AND THEIR VANITY LEADS THEM TO GET THE WRONG IDEA ! FEMALE DIPLOMAT THEREFORE NEEDS AN ADDITIONAL ELEMENT IN HER USE OF COMMON SENSE 4HIS IS TO LEARN EARLY IN HER CAREER WHEN WHERE AND HOW TO MAKE SUCH MOVES TO AVOID UNWANTED ADVANCES 3HE NEEDS TO HONE HER INSTINCTS TO SENSE SUBTLE SIGNS IN THE BODY LANGUAGE AND THE LOOK IN THE EYES 3HE MUST EXPLOIT HER BETTER SENSE OF OBSERVATION AND ATTENTION TO DETAILS
#UISINE 4HE SECOND # IS CUISINE 4HE ADAGE THAT THE FASTEST WAY TO A MANS HEART IS THROUGH HIS STOMACH WORKS AS TRUE IN DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES
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3INGAPORE DIPLOMATS ARE SO BLESSED FOR COMING FROM A COUNTRY WITH SUCH A DIVERSE VARIETY OF CULINARY TRADITIONS 7E HAVE )NDIAN -ALAY AND #HINESE CUISINES TO OFFER OUR GUESTS 7E HAVE OUR VERY OWN UNIQUE 0ERANAKAN CUISINE !N INCIDENT IN "RUSSELS MADE ME REALISE JUST HOW KEY A ROLE FOOD CAN PLAY IN THE SUCCESS OF A DIPLOMAT /NE DAY ) RECEIVED AN INVITATION TO DINNER FROM THE !MBASSADOR TO THE .ORTH !TLANTIC 4REATY /RGANISATION .!4/ FROM A .ORDIC COUNTRY ) HAD NEVER MET THE MAN BEFORE AS ) COVERED .!4/ ONLY PERIPHERALLY #URIOUS AS TO WHY ) WAS ON HIS GUEST LIST AND TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS UNEXPECTED ENTRE INTO .!4/ CIRCLES ) READILY ACCEPTED 4HE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF BEING A FEMALE AMBASSADOR IS THAT YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY ELEVATED IN PROTOCOL ORDER AGAINST THE WIVES AT ANY DINNER FUNCTION 4HE MOST IMPORTANT MALE GUEST SITS TO THE RIGHT OF THE HOSTESS AND HIS WIFE TO THE RIGHT OF THE HOST "UT WHEN YOU ARE BOTH A FEMALE AND AN AMBASSADOR YOU JUMP THE QUEUE AND GET THE HONOURED PLACE NEXT TO THE HOST 3O THERE ) WAS NEXT TO THE .ORDIC AMBASSADOR STILL WONDERING WHY ) WAS INVITED )T WAS NOT TILL DESSERT THAT HE CASUALLY MENTIONED THAT HE HAD HEARD THAT ) hSERVED A GOOD TABLEv %UREKA ) HAD BEEN INVITED SO THAT ) WOULD RECIPROCATE ) PROMPTLY DID SO AT MY NEXT FUNCTION MUCH TO HIS PLEASURE AT THE CLEVER WAY HE HAD ENGINEERED HIS WAY INTO GETTING A TASTE OF 3INGAPORE )N RETURN ) GAINED A NEW FRIEND TO RELY ON FOR .!4/ UPDATES AND INSIGHTS
#ULTURE 4HE THIRD # IS CULTURE 7E ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR A DIPLOMAT TO UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE OF HIS COUNTRY OF POSTING TO CORRECTLY INTERPRET AND REPORT POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS "UT ONE ALSO NEEDS TO LIVE THE CULTURE NOT JUST TRY TO UNDERSTAND IT 3O EVEN THOUGH YOU CANNOT TELL "RAHMS FROM "EETHOVEN YOU SHOULD MAKE IT A POINT TO ATTEND GALA CLASSICAL CONCERTS WHEN IN %UROPE BECAUSE THAT IS PART OF THEIR CULTURE 7HAT YOU GET IN RETURN IS A CHANCE TO MINGLE WITH THE IMPORTANT !MBASSADORS AND OFlCIALS AT THEIR MOST RELAXED AND
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FRIENDLY MOOD 7OMEN ARE MORE INCLINED TO THINGS CULTURAL AND WE ARE BETTER ABLE TO TREAT THIS AS COMBINING BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE /N ONE SUCH GALA OCCASION ) RECEIVED AN UNEXPECTED CONlDENCE FROM A KEY %UROPEAN 5NION %5 AMBASSADOR $URING THE INTERVAL THE TIME TO CIRCULATE ) HAD CASUALLY ASKED FOR HIS ASSESSMENT OF HOW %5 LEADERS HAD RECEIVED THEN 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONGS IDEA OF AN !SIA %UROPE -EETING !3%- 3UMMIT (E REVEALED THAT #HANCELLOR (ELMUT +OHL WAS NOT YET CONVINCED OF ITS VALUE AND THAT HE WAS NOT PLANNING TO ATTEND 4HAT NIGHT AN EMAIL WAS SENT TO (1 AND OUR "ONN -ISSION ! QUICK AND INTENSE LOBBYING EFFORT ENSURED THAT +OHL WAS THERE AND THE !3%- 3UMMIT A SUCCESS #ULTURE IS ALSO ABOUT LANGUAGE .OTHING RECEIVES GREATER GOODWILL FROM YOUR HOST CONTACTS THAN SOMEONE KEEN TO LEARN THEIR LANGUAGE )N "RUSSELS ) WAS THROWN A CHALLENGE BY "ARRY $ESKER THEN LEADING THE 4RADE $EVELOPMENT "OARD TO ESTABLISH WHAT THE %UROPEAN #OMMISSION %# WAS PLANNING IN THEIR REVIEW OF THE 'ENERAL 3YSTEM OF 0REFERENCE '30 SYSTEM 4HE '30 IS A SYSTEM OF PREFERENTIAL TARIFFS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES !T THAT TIME WE WERE STILL lGHTING AGAINST GRADUATION (OW TO GET AN UNOFlCIAL ADVANCE COPY SO THAT WE COULD TAKE PREEMPTIVE MEASURES ) KNEW A DRAFT REVIEW HAD BEEN PREPARED ) KNEW THE MAN IN THE #OMMISSION IN CHARGE OF THE REVIEW ) NEEDED TO GET CLOSER TO HIM TO GAIN HIS TRUST ,ANGUAGE WAS MY TOOL ) HAD JUST RETURNED FROM TWO WEEKS LANGUAGE SCHOOL IN THE !RDENNES DURING MY lRST SUMMER IN "RUSSELS 5NLIKE TODAY ) HAD MERELY ONE MONTH OF INTENSIVE LANGUAGE TRAINING IN &RANCE PRIOR TO POSTING SO MY &RENCH WAS NOT STRONG .EVERTHELESS ) MADE THE %# CONTACT A &RENCH SPEAKER AN OFFER HE COULD NOT REFUSE 7E WOULD HAVE DINNER TOGETHER WHERE ) PROMISED TO SPEAK ONLY IN &RENCH TO LET HIM JUDGE THE PROGRESS ) HAD MADE IN TWO WEEKS (E WAS LEFT IMPRESSED WITH MY EFFORT IF NOT MY &RENCH !FTER DINNER AS ) WAS DROPPING HIM HOME ) SIMPLY ASKED IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO LET US HAVE AN ADVANCE COPY OF THE '30 REVIEW (E LOOKED AT ME SMILED AND SUGGESTED THAT ) SEND SOMEONE TO PICK IT UP FROM HIS
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OFlCE THE NEXT DAY #EST TOUT ) HAD TOUCHED HIM WITH MY EFFORT AND HE COULD NOT SAY hNOv 4HAT WAS HOW ) USED CULTURE TO MEET "ARRY $ESKERS CHALLENGE
#HARISMA 4HE LAST # IS CHARISMA DElNED IN THE DICTIONARY AS hSTRONG PERSONAL CHARM OR POWER TO ATTRACT IN ORDER TO INmUENCE PEOPLE OR WIN THEIR ADMIRATIONv )N DIPLOMACY IT IS OFTEN THE FORCE OF YOUR PERSONALITY YOUR ABILITY TO GET NOTICED AND REMEMBERED THAT MAKES YOU EFFECTIVE ,ET US NOT DISCOUNT THE IMPORTANCE OF APPEARANCE AS A MEANS TO DRAW ATTENTION TO ONESELF 4HERE IS NOTHING MORE ATTENTION DRAWING THAN SOMEONE IN A COLOURFUL CHEONGSAM AGAINST A SEA OF DARK SUITS ESPECIALLY IF CARRIED OFF WITH THE ARTICULATENESS OF A #ATHERINE ,IM 7OMEN DIPLOMATS WIN HANDS DOWN IN THE CHARM DEPARTMENT BUT WE NEED TO KNOW WHEN AND HOW TO USE IT 7E ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET SOME SENIOR OFlCIAL THAN OUR MALE COUNTERPART SIMPLY BY EXPLOITING OUR CURIOSITY VALUE 7E ARE MORE LIKELY TO PERSIST IN GETTING THE INFORMATION WE WANT BECAUSE WE ARE WILLING TO ADMIT WE DO NOT KNOW 7E ALL KNOW HOW MEN HATE TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS 4HEY DO NOT LIKE TO ADMIT THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW
4HE )MPORTANCE OF A 7IFE (OW DOES THE DISADVANTAGED MALE DIPLOMAT OVERCOME THIS 4HIS LEADS TO THE REAL SUBJECT OF MY ARTICLE 4HE ROLE OF THE WIFE 7IVES CAN GIVE THEIR HUSBANDS WHAT ) CALL hREmECTED CHARISMAv !N ATTRACTIVE AND INTERESTING WIFE CAN GET A DIPLOMAT INVITED TO THE ! LIST DINNER PARTIES ) HAVE COME ACROSS MANY A WIFE WHO WAS LITERALLY THE hSECRET WEAPONv OF A DIPLOMATS SUCCESS )T IS NOT JUST LOOKS ) AM REFERRING TO ! WIFE WITH AN INTERESTING HOBBY LIKE BEING A GREAT PIANIST OR
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ARTIST OR SIMPLY A GREAT CONVERSATIONALIST CAN GIVE A DIPLOMAT ADDED MILEAGE 7IVES ARE AN IMPORTANT HELP TO THE DIPLOMAT IN THE CUISINE CULTURE AND CHARISMA DEPARTMENTS 4HEY CAN LEAVE THE MAN TO HANDLE THE COMMON SENSE BIT MOST OF THE TIME 4HROUGHOUT MY DIPLOMATIC CAREER ) HAVE ALWAYS PAID SPECIAL ATTENTION TO CULTIVATING THE WIVES (USBANDS NEVER DO ENOUGH TO APPRECIATE THEIR WIVES 3O NOTHING IS MORE WELCOME ESPECIALLY FROM A FEMALE DIPLOMAT THAN SOME CARE AND ATTENTION -Y MODUS OPERANDI IS ALWAYS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WIFE WHETHER IT IS BY BRINGING HER mOWERS WHEN ARRIVING FOR DINNER OR SENDING A GET WELL CARD WHEN SHE MISSED MY DINNER BECAUSE OF mU !FTER DINNER WHEN WE ADJOURN FOR COFFEE ) lRST JOIN THE LADIES FOR AN EXTENDED CHAT BEFORE EXCUSING MYSELF TO JOIN THE MEN ) NEVER IGNORE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WIVES ) ATTEND THEIR AFTERNOON TEA SESSIONS WHENEVER ) CAN EVEN IF TO STAY HALF AN HOUR )N "RUSSELS THE !SIA 0ACIlC WOMENS GROUP WAS PARTICULARLY ACTIVE %ACH (EAD OF -ISSIONS WIFE TOOK TURNS TO HOST LAVISH TEA PARTIES )T WAS AN OCCASION TO SHOWCASE THEIR NATIONS CULTURE AND CUISINE 4HEY PUT ON NATIONAL COSTUME PARADES DANCE PERFORMANCES AND DISPLAYED HANDICRAFTS -ANY OF THE LARGER !SIAN MISSIONS HAD MANY WIVES FOR THE MISSION TO HELP OUT ON SUCH OCCASIONS 4HE 3INGAPORE MISSION WAS ALWAYS SMALL BUT WORSE OF ALL SOMETIMES THERE WERE JUST NO WIVES "RUSSELS DURING MY TIME WAS SUCH A MISSION -RS +HENG (UA )SELI WAS THE #OUNSELLOR -RS -ICHELLE 4EO *ACOB THE &IRST 3ECRETARY -URUGESAN THE 4HIRD 3ECRETARY WAS SINGLE 4HE 3INGAPORE MISSION NEVERTHELESS HAD TO DO A TURN ON THE !SIA 0ACIlC WOMENS TEA CIRCUIT ) CONCEIVED AN h%MILY OF %MERALD (ILLv ONE WOMAN SHOW ) DRESSED IN MY GRANDMAS SARONG KEBAYA COMPLETE WITH KEROSANG AND BEADED SHOES ) GAVE A TALK ON
4HE SARONG KEBAYA IS A PIECE COSTUME CONSISTING OF A TIGHT BLOUSE WHICH IS USUALLY MADE OF LACE OR ANY TRANSPARENT MATERIAL AND A lGURE HUGGING BATIK SARONG /RNATE PENDATE LIKE JEWELLERY THAT HELD THE FRONT OF THE BLOUSE TOGETHER USUALLY IN SETS OF THREE
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0ERANAKAN CULTURE AND CUISINE ) READ AN EXCERPT FROM THE FOREWORD OF -RS ,EES #OOKBOOK ON HOW GOOD CULINARY SKILLS ENHANCED THE MARRIAGEABILITY OF YOUNG 0ERANAKAN WOMEN OF THOSE DAYS 4HE EXCERPT DESCRIBED HOW A MATCHMAKER WOULD PURPOSELY COME TO THE HOUSE OF THE PROSPECTIVE BRIDE IN THE LATE MORNING WHILE LUNCH WAS BEING PREPARED 4HIS WAY SHE COULD BY LISTENING TO THE RHYTHM OF THE REMPAH POUNDING OF THE PROSPECTIVE BRIDE DISCRETELY JUDGE WHETHER SHE WAS A GOOD COOK ) TOLD OF THE FABULOUS WEALTH OF THE 0ERANAKAN FAMILIES WHO KEPT TINS OF DIAMONDS FOR THE JEWELLER TO PICK FROM TO MAKE THE NEXT HEIRLOOM FOR THE NONYA ) THEN SERVED A TEA OF POPULAR 3INGAPORE CUISINE INCLUDING A hDO IT YOURSELFv ROJAK KUEH PIE TEE LAKSA AND BO BO CHA CHA )T WAS SIMPLE BUT MY PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED
) WISH ) HAD A WIFE -Y FAVOURITE LINE ALWAYS UTTERED WITHIN EARSHOT OF THE WIVES IS TO TELL THE MALE DIPLOMATS THAT h) WISH ) HAD A WIFEv )T IS NOT AN ACT BUT UTTERED IN GENUINE APPRECIATION OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE THE DIPLOMATS WIFE PLAYS ) KNOW IT BECAUSE AS A FEMALE DIPLOMAT WHO HAS HAD TO HANDLE BOTH ENDS OF THE JOB ) REALLY ENVY MY MALE COUNTERPARTS ) DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANY OTHER CAREER WHERE A GOOD HUSBAND AND WIFE PARTNERSHIP IS SO CRITICAL TO A MANS SUCCESS ON THE JOB )N THE END THE MEN ON THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE #OMMISSION WERE WISER THAN ) THOUGHT 4HEY KNEW THAT WITH A MALE DIPLOMAT THEY WOULD GET TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE )T IS TIME FOR THE WIVES OF OUR DIPLOMATS TO BE BETTER APPRECIATED
0ERANAKAN ALSO KNOWN AS 4HE "ABAS ARE DESCENDANTS OF AN EARLY #HINESE COMMUNITY THAT SETTLED IN THE -ALAY ARCHIPELAGO AT LEAST SINCE THE TH CENTURY -ALAY SPICE
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h3ENT TO ,IE !BROAD FOR -Y #OUNTRYv -R -USHAHID !,) SERVED IN THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! FROM TO (E WAS !MBASSADOR TO THE +INGDOM OF #AMBODIA FROM TO AND BEFORE THAT $IRECTOR#HIEF OF 0ROTOCOL IN -&! FROM AND #HARGE D!FFAIRES IN 2IYADH 3AUDI !RABIA FROM TO (E WAS #OUNSELLOR IN 3INGAPORE MISSIONS IN (ONG +ONG *AKARTA n ,ONDON n 4OKYO n $EPUTY $IRECTOR )NTERNATIONAL IN THE 0OLITICAL $IVISION -&! n AND THE SECOND MAN IN +UALA ,UMPUR n (E WAS A JOURNALIST WITH THE 3TRAITS 4IMES AND 2ADIO 4ELEVISION 3INGAPORE BETWEEN AND /N RETIREMENT FROM THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE IN HE JOINED THE )NSTITUTE OF $EFENCE AND 3TRATEGIC 3TUDIES WHERE HE WAS A 3ENIOR &ELLOW UNTIL (E IS NOW ENGAGED BY THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE AS #OUNSELLOR IN THE 3INGAPORE %MBASSY IN #AIRO
WAS A JOURNALIST IN THE EARLY S !FTER BELATEDLY OBTAINING AN !RTS DEGREE FROM THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE ) WAS DOING MY .ATIONAL 3ERVICE .3 AS A 3ECOND ,IEUTENANT IN THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE (EADQUARTERS AS A 0UBLIC 2ELATIONS /FlCER ACTUALLY WHEN ) WAS INVITED TO AN INTERVIEW BY THE lRST $IRECTOR OF 3ECURITY AND )NTELLIGENCE 4AY 3EOW (UA 3IMON 4AYS FATHER IN LATE (E SAID -&! WAS SCOUTING FOR PEOPLE WHO COULD BE SENT FOR OVERSEAS POSTING ) HAD BEEN IDENTIlED BY ! 2AHIM )SHAK THEN 0ARLIAMENTARY 3ECRETARY AS A FORMER 2EPORTER OF 2ADIO 4ELEVISION 3INGAPORE WHO COULD BE SENT TO +UALA ,UMPUR +, WHERE ) HAD PREVIOUSLY COVERED SESSIONS OF 0ARLIAMENT WHEN 3INGAPORE WAS A CONSTITUENT STATE OF -ALAYSIA !S IT WAS A TENSE PERIOD AFTER THE -AY RACIAL RIOTS IN +, IT WAS A CHALLENGE TO GET THE RIGHT PERSON TO GO THERE ) WAS DELIGHTED TO ACCEPT AS ) WOULD BE FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OTHER COLLEAGUES FROM BROADCASTING WHO HAD GONE INTO 3INGAPORES mEDGLING FOREIGN SERVICE ) WAS TO SUCCEED ! +AJAPATHY MY FORMER
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#ONTROLLER OF .EWS WHO WAS $EPUTY (IGH #OMMISSIONER IN THE +, -ISSION -Y .3 WAS CUT SHORT IN EARLY *ANUARY AND ) JOINED -&! FOR A MONTHS ATTACHMENT IN 0ROTOCOL BEFORE ) WAS POSTED TO +UALA ,UMPUR ON *ANUARY ) WAS VIRTUALLY THROWN INTO THE DEEP END TO SINK OR SWIM AS A 3ECOND 3ECRETARY IN THE 3INGAPORE (IGH #OMMISSION )N ANY EVENT ) SURVIVED AND SERVED YEARS IN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE BEFORE RETIRING IN AT ) HAVE SERVED IN SEVEN OVERSEAS POSTS lVE OF THEM AS SECOND MAN TO THE (EAD OF -ISSION (/- AND THE LAST TWO AS (/- ) THEREFORE GAINED MUCH OF MY EXPERIENCE WORKING FOR AND WITH THE EIGHT DISTINGUISHED 3INGAPOREANS WHO WERE (IGH #OMMISSIONERS OR !MBASSADORS SEVEN OF THEM POLITICAL APPOINTEES THREE OF THEM IN +, ALONE 4HE OTHERS WERE IN 4OKYO ,ONDON *AKARTA AND (ONG +ONG ) APPLIED THE LESSONS LEARNT FROM THEM WHEN ) BECAME #HARGE D!FFAIRES IN 2IYADH AND !MBASSADOR IN 0HNOM 0ENH )N RECOUNTING AND SUMMING UP MY EXPERIENCE ) HOPE ) CAN IMPART SOME INSIGHTS ON THE CRAFT OF DIPLOMACY PRACTISED BY OUR TOP ENVOYS WHEN THEY hARE SENT TO LIE ABROAD FOR THEIR COUNTRYv
+, -ISSION ,OVE AND 3USPICION +UALA ,UMPUR IS THE MOST LIVEABLE PLACE FOR 3INGAPORE DIPLOMATS ALMOST A SECOND HOME FOR SOME AND YET THE MOST CHALLENGING POST )T IS THERE THAT ONE HAS OLD FRIENDS FROM SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OR EVEN RELATIVES BUT WHERE ONE HAS TO DEAL WITH INTRACTABLE ISSUES ROOTED IN OUR SHARED HISTORY CONmICTING POLITICS AND COMPETING ECONOMIES AND DIFFERENT INTERESTS /UR ENVOYS HAVE TO MONITOR AND REPORT ON EVERY FACET OF -ALAYSIAS POLITICAL AND SOCIO ECONOMIC DYNAMICS AND ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS TENSIONS WHILE TRYING TO PROMOTE COOPERATION EXCHANGES AND INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AT ALL LEVELS AND TO FOSTER CLOSER WORKING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO 'OVERNMENTS WHILE MANAGING COMPETING CLAIMS AND EFFORTS TO FURTHER OUR RESPECTIVE
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NATIONAL INTEREST /NE WILL lND THAT AN ENVOY CAN HAVE THE BEST OF PERSONAL RELATIONS WITH MANY TOP LEADERS IN GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR BUT lND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT A CRISIS ERUPTING OR MEDIA WAR mARING OVER ISSUES LIKE THE COMMON CURRENCY JOINT AIRLINE FREE TRADE MOVEMENT SAND WATER AND AIRSPACE /NE CAN BE EMBRACED AS AN OLD CHUM OR EX -ALAYSIAN AND STILL BE REGARDED WITH SUSPICION AS A SPY CONFUSING THE ROLES OF DIPLOMATS AND SECRET AGENTS 7HILE ONE CAN MOVE FREELY AND SEE WHOEVER ONE LIKES ONES FRIENDS OR CONTACTS AMONG THE -ALAYSIAN ESTABLISHMENT ARE LIKELY TO lND THEMSELVES BEING CALLED BY 3PECIAL "RANCH OFlCERS ASKING WHAT WAS DISCUSSED 3TILL THE 3INGAPORE (IGH #OMMISSIONER IS THE MOST POPULAR AND VISIBLE DIPLOMATIC ENVOY IN +, HIS DIPLOMATIC OFlCERS THE MOST ACTIVE AND THE MISSIONS .ATIONAL $AY RECEPTIONS THE BEST ATTENDED
-ENTORED BY 4HREE 'URUS ) HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO SERVE WITH THREE ABLE AND POPULAR (IGH #OMMISSIONERS IN FOUR YEARS -AURICE "AKER #HIANG (AI $ING AND THE LATE 7EE +IM 7EE OUR FORMER 0RESIDENT ) ROSE FROM BEING A RAW 3ECOND 3ECRETARY TO &IRST 3ECRETARY WITHIN A YEAR AND WAS #OUNSELLOR WHEN ) LEFT +, IN !PRIL WITH A -ALAYSIAN BRIDE 4WO OF MY COLLEAGUES ALSO MARRIED -ALAYSIAN GIRLS !S DIPLOMATS OF -ALAYSIAS CLOSEST NEIGHBOUR WE WERE MUCH SOUGHT AFTER BY OTHER DIPLOMATS PARTICULARLY OF THE BIG POWERS AND WE WERE IN THE THICK OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
"EING 0ROACTIVE AND (AVING &UN ) FOUND MYSELF ORGANISING AN !3%!. 0LUS GROUP OF 0OLITICAL &IRST 3ECRETARIES HAVING LUNCH MEETINGS WITH -ALAYSIAN POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC OFlCIALS ) WAS COORDINATOR OF A $IPLOMATIC #LUB WHICH
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ORGANISED LUNCH TALKS BY -ALAYSIAN LEADERS LIKE $0- 4UN $R )SMAIL AND FUTURE $0- -USA (ITAM !ND AS A hSWINGING BACHELORv ) WAS LEADER OF THE h"UJANG $ARAv GROUP OF SINGLES IN THE DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY HOLDING DANCE PARTIES AND PICNICS WITH YOUNG -ALAYSIANS SOME OF WHOM LATER ROSE TO HIGH POSITIONS !LSO AS AN AMATEUR THESPIAN ) TOOK PART IN TWO PLAYS AND FREQUENTED PUBS AND DISCOS WITH STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE 5NIVERSITY -ALAYA AND JOURNALIST FRIENDS 4HESE ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS LIKE CRICKET HELPED ME REACH OUT AND MAKE FRIENDS AMONG A WIDE CIRCLE WHICH ALSO HELPED IN MY WORK OF GETTING A FEEL OF THE GROUND "EING ACTIVE IN %#! %XTRA #URRICULAR !CTIVITIES DURING MY SCHOOL DAYS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS HELPS !S SINGING AND DANCING BECAME PART OF THE PROGRAMME OF !3%!. MEETINGS ) PUT THESE TALENTS TO GOOD USE FOR THE STATE AND IN OTHER !3%!. CAPITALS LIKE *AKARTA AS WELL
*APAN ! 3MALL &ISH IN A "IG 0OND 4OKYO WAS AN UNEXPECTED POSTING AS ) WAS PREPARING TO RETURN TO 3INGAPORE WHEN THE ORDER CAME ) HAD TO GET MARRIED QUICKLY AND WENT THERE IN 3PRING TO BE #OUNSELLOR TO !MBASSADOR 7EE -ON #HENG A LEADING BUSINESSMAN -Y TASK WAS TO COVER THE POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC ASPECTS OF THE MISSIONS WORK WITH A 3ECOND 3ECRETARY ASSISTING WHILE A &IRST 3ECRETARY DID ECONOMIC REPORTING AND ASSISTED THE !MBASSADOR IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN *APAN AND 3INGAPORE )T WAS AN EDUCATION FOR ME IN POLITICAL ECONOMY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS WHICH !MBASSADOR 7EE HANDLED WITH THE EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS HE HAD HONED FROM HIS SHIPPING BUSINESS ) ALSO LEARNT THAT AS REPRESENTATIVE OF A SMALL 3OUTH EAST !SIAN COUNTRY ) COULD NOT GET THE SAME ATTENTION OR ACCESS THAT ) HAD ENJOYED IN +, (OWEVER ) SOON LEARNT THAT ) COULD RIDE ON THE BACKS
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OF DIPLOMATS OF LARGER COUNTRIES PARTICULARLY THE 53 #ANADA 5+ 'ERMANY AND !USTRALIA TO GET TO KNOW *APANESE OFlCIALS FROM THEIR VARIOUS MINISTRIES AND AGENCIES ) JOINED A #HINA 7ATCHERS 'ROUP OF 7ESTERN AND !SIAN DIPLOMATS TO EXCHANGE NOTES ON DEVELOPMENTS IN #HINA THEN UNDERGOING THE TRANSITION FROM THE UPHEAVAL OF THE #ULTURAL 2EVOLUTION TO THE POST -AO ERA WITH THE DEATHS OF 0REMIER :HOU %NLAI AND #HAIRMAN -AO :EDONG ) BEGAN TO ADD SOME ANALYSIS TO MY POLITICAL REPORTING UNLIKE IN +, WHERE WE OPERATED LIKE A NEWS AGENCY !BOVE ALL ) LEARNT TO USE THE SPEECHES OF OUR 0RIME -INISTER 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW &OREIGN -INISTER 3 2AJARATNAM AND $EFENCE -INISTER 'OH +ENG 3WEE AS TALKING POINTS IN DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGES WITH DIPLOMATS FROM #HINA )NDIA %UROPE AS WELL AS 'AIMUSHO OFlCIALS AND THINK TANK SCHOLARS
,ONDON &ROM "IG 0OND TO "IG ,AKE -Y POSTING AS #OUNSELLOR IN ,ONDON CAME ABOUT FORTUITOUSLY AFTER ) HAD SPENT OVER THREE YEARS IN -&! AS $EPUTY $IRECTOR)NTERNATIONAL IN THE 0OLITICAL $EPARTMENT DURING WHICH TIME THE AREA OF COVERAGE OF MY SECTION DWINDLED FROM THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE WORLD TO JUST THE COMMUNIST BLOC OF %URASIA ) HAD LIKE SOME OTHER &OREIGN 3ERVICE /FlCERS BEEN CONSIDERING LEAVING -&! TO JOIN THE MEDIA WHICH WAS CAST ASIDE WHEN THE POSTING ORDER CAME )N ,ONDON ) FOUND THAT 3INGAPORE WAS AN EVEN SMALLER FRY THAN IN 4OKYO (OWEVER IT WAS A USEFUL VANTAGE POINT FOR THIRD COUNTRY REPORTING ON MEMBERS OF THE #OMMONWEALTH 4HE &#/ DIRECTORS WERE APPROACHABLE AND WILLINGLY SHARED THEIR INFORMATION WITH US BECAUSE WE WERE SEEN AS SERIOUS BEING THE MOST ACTIVE AMONG THE !3%!. MISSIONS PARTICULARLY IN THE DIPLOMATIC BATTLE BEING WAGED TO REVERSE 6IETNAMS OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA !GAIN IT WAS NECESSARY TO RIDE ON THE COAT TAILS OF THE BIGGER #OMMONWEALTH MISSIONS LIKE !USTRALIA .EW :EALAND AND )NDIA
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-ISSION WORK WAS MUCH AIDED BY BEING THE REPRESENTATIVE OF 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW /UR (IGH #OMMISSIONER -R *EK 9UEN 4HONG COMMANDED RESPECT AS A FORMER -INISTER AND ENJOYED ACCESS TO THE HIGH LEVELS OF THE "RITISH ESTABLISHMENT !ND ) APPRECIATED THE FULL CONlDENCE THAT HE REPOSED IN ME TO MAKE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIGH LEVEL VISITS PARTICULARLY OF 0- ,EE WHEN HE WAS CONFERRED THE &REEDOM OF THE #ITY OF ,ONDON IN ) LEARNT THAT -R ,EES NAME OPENED MANY DOORS IN 5+ AS IN *APAN )T IS A BRAND NAME UNIQUE TO AND SIGNIFYING 3INGAPORE
)NDONESIA 5NDER 3UHARTO !FTER BARELY TWO YEARS IN ,ONDON ) WAS CROSS POSTED TO *AKARTA TO BE #OUNSELLOR TO ANOTHER POLITICAL (/- !MBASSADOR *OSEPH #ONCEICAO HOWEVER WAS AN ACTIVE ACADEMIC AS WELL WITH AN INTEREST IN *AVANESE MYTHS AND MORES 3OON AFTER ) ARRIVED HE WENT OFF FOR A DIVING TRIP TO "ANDA )SLAND WHERE )NDONESIAS lRST 0RIME -INISTER 3UTAN 3HAHRIR HAD BEEN EXILED BY THE $UTCH #ONCEICAO CAME BACK WITH A HEART ATTACK AND HAD TO BE mOWN TO !USTRALIA FOR SURGERY BY $R 6ICTOR #HANG ) HAD TO BE #HARGE D!FFAIRES FOR A FEW MONTHS WHILE HE REGAINED HIS HEALTH .EVERTHELESS ) LEARNT TO SEE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND EVENTS IN )NDONESIA IN THEIR HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT IN PARTICULAR IN TERMS OF THE *AVANESE IDEAS OF KINGSHIP AND GOVERNMENT OF THE FAR mUNG ARCHIPELAGO 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO WAS AT THE PEAK OF HIS POWER AND IN FULL CONTROL AS ONE POTENTIAL SUCCESSOR AFTER ANOTHER FELL BY THE WAYSIDE AND HE OUTLASTED ALL HIS 6ICE 0RESIDENTS !RMED &ORCES #HIEF 'ENERAL "ENNY -URDANI WAS A CLOSE FRIEND OF THE %MBASSY AND A GOOD FRIEND OF 3INGAPORE (E OPENED )NDONESIAN AIRSPACE SEA AND LAND TO 3INGAPORE !RMED &ORCES FOR TRAINING EXERCISES WHILE LOOKING TO OUR !IR &ORCE AND .AVY TO BE )NDONESIAS EYES AND EARS AS WELL 4HAT WAS A PERIOD OF !3%!. SOLIDARITY AS THE SIX MEMBERS JOINED HANDS IN MARSHALLING FRIENDS WORLDWIDE TO OPPOSE 6IETNAMS
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OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA 3INGAPORE WAS THE VANGUARD OF THIS !3%!. ENDEAVOUR
&IGHTING FOR #AMBODIA AT 5. ) FOUND MYSELF ON THE WORLD STAGE AS MEMBER OF THE 3INGAPORE DELEGATION TO THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY WHERE 3INGAPORE DIPLOMATS WORKED THE DELEGATES TO GARNER VOTES FOR THE RESOLUTION ON #AMBODIA /UR #AMBODIA CAMPAIGN WAS SPEARHEADED BY SEASONED DIPLOMATS LIKE "ARRY $ESKER 4ONY 3IDDIQUE AND +ISHORE -AHBUBANI WHO JOINED THE DELEGATION FROM 7ASHINGTON IN PREPARATION FOR HIS ASSUMPTION OF THE 0ERM 2EPS POSITION )T WAS A MOMENT OF PRIDE AND SATISFACTION WHEN OUR EFFORTS SUCCEEDED IN GETTING A BIGGER VOTE FOR THE #AMBODIA RESOLUTION WITH EACH PASSING YEAR
3PEAKING !GAINST !PARTHEID ) SAW HOW !MBASSADOR 4OMMY +OH CONDUCTED MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY BOTH IN INTIMATE WORKING LUNCHES AND LARGER CAUCUSES OF .!- AS WELL AS IN THE 3ECURITY #OUNCIL WHEN HE INTERVENED IN THE DEBATE ON THE 53 INVASION OF 'RENADA !S 3INGAPORE WAS A VICE PRESIDENT OF THE '! HE HAD TO PRESIDE OVER SOME PLENARY SESSIONS WHEN THE 0ANAMIAN 0RESIDENT WAS BUSY ELSEWHERE /N ONE OCCASION ) AS A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE DELEGATION DEPUTISED FOR HIM IN PERFORMING THIS ROLE ) FOUND MYSELF SITTING AT THE HIGH PODIUM PRESIDING OVER A SESSION FOR HALF A MORNING ) FELT ON TOP OF THE WORLD /N ONE OCCASION !MBASSADOR +OH ASKED ME TO DELIVER A SPEECH HE HAD PREPARED FOR A DEBATE ON APARTHEID WHICH ) DID WITH SOME OF MY OWN ADDITIONS ) WAS GRATIlED WHEN SEVERAL !FRICAN DELEGATES TROOPED UP TO SHAKE MY HAND AFTER ) RETURNED TO MY SEAT FOR SAYING THAT THE BEAST OF APARTHEID HAD TO BE mOGGED UNTIL IT WAS DEAD )T IS USEFUL FOR OUR DIPLOMATS TO HAVE SOME TRAINING IN SPEECH DELIVERY OR ELOCUTION
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0ROTESTS IN (ONG +ONG -Y JOURNALISTIC BACKGROUND CAME IN USEFUL FOR MY BRIEF STINT OF MONTHS IN (ONG +ONG WHERE ) HAD TO DEAL WITH THE REGIONAL MEDIA ORGANISATIONS LIKE &%%2 AND !3)!7%%+ AT A TIME WHEN 3INGAPORE WAS TAKING LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO CURB THEIR TENDENCY TO MALIGN THE 'OVERNMENT WITHOUT GIVING IT THE RIGHT OF REPLY ) WENT INTO THE LIONS DEN BY JOINING THE &OREIGN #ORRESPONDENTS #LUB MEETING THE EDITORS OF THE VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS AND GIVING INTERVIEWS ON (ONG +ONG 2ADIO 7HAT ) DID NOT EXPECT WAS HAVING TO FEND OFF PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS BY DIFFERENT GROUPS FOR ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT AGAINST THEIR MEMBERS 4HE lRST PROTEST WAS BY MEMBERS OF A CULT CALLING THEMSELVES THE .EW 4ESTAMENT #HURCH 4HEY VILIlED ME FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THEIR ILLEGAL ASSEMBLIES IN 3INGAPORE THEY PUT UP BANNERS AT THE &ERRY 0OINT CONDEMNING ME ALONG WITH THE LEADERS OF 3INGAPORE AND 4AIWAN 4HE SECOND WAS FOLLOWING THE ARREST OF MARXIST CHURCHWORKERS AND ACTIVISTS IN 3INGAPORE ) HAD TO DEAL WITH A CROWD OF LEFTISTS WHO STAGED A DEMONSTRATION AT THE 3INGAPORE #OMMISSION LED BY AN EX STUDENT OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE WHO HAD BEEN EXPELLED FOR ENGAGING IN UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES )N CONTRAST ) HAD A COURTEOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF 8INHUA .EWS !GENCY AND #HINA WATCHERS IN THE MEDIA AND ACADEMIA AS (ONG +ONG PREPARED TO REVERT TO #HINESE SOVEREIGNTY IN
'ULF 7AR -Y POSTING TO 2IYADH WAS UNEVENTFUL AND LOW KEYED AS 3AUDI !RABIA WAS ONLY AT THE MARGIN OF 3INGAPORES POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INTEREST APART FROM BEING A SUPPLIER OF OIL AND HOST TO OUR -USLIM PILGRIMS 4HE )RAQI INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF +UWAIT IN !UGUST CHANGED ALL THAT !ND ) FOUND MYSELF AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR EFFORTS TO ARRANGE THE EVACUATION OF 3INGAPOREANS CAUGHT IN THE 'ULF AREA
-USHAHID !LIINDD
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4FOU UP -JF "CSPBE GPS .Z $PVOUSZ
AND THE PARTICIPATION OF THE 3!& -EDICAL CONTINGENT IN /PERATION $ESERT 3TORM 7HEN THE 53 LED COALITION FORCES LAUNCHED THE AIR ATTACK AGAINST )RAQ TO DRIVE 3ADDAM (USSAINS FORCES OUT OF +UWAIT 2IYADH CAME UNDER ATTACK OF )RAQI 3CUD MISSILES SOME LANDING WITHIN THREE KM OF OUR MISSION ) FOUND MYSELF HAVING TO GIVE hLIVEv COMMENTARIES ON 46 3INGAPORE ASSURING THEM CONTRARY TO IMAGES OF EXPLODING MISSILES ON #.. AND ""# THAT WE WERE SAFE THOUGH WE TOOK PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST POSSIBLE CHEMICAL ATTACKS ) SIGNED A 6ISITING &ORCES !GREEMENT WITH THE 3AUDI #OMMANDER OF THE *OINT &ORCES 'ENERAL 0RINCE +HALED 3ULTAN AND COORDINATED THE 3!& mIGHTS TO AND OUT OF 2IYADH WITH THE 53 #OMMAND )T WAS AN OCCASION WHEN 3INGAPOREANS WHO REMAINED IN THE 'ULF AREA SHOWED THEIR COURAGE AND DEDICATION TO THEIR WORK EVEN AS MISSILES mEW OVERHEAD %VERY 3INGAPOREAN BENElTS FROM HIS STINT IN .ATIONAL 3ERVICE
!MBASSADOR TO +ING 3IHANOUK )N MY LAST POSTING AS !MBASSADOR TO #AMBODIA ) WAS WELCOMED AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF ONE OF THE STAUNCHEST FRIENDS OF THE KINGDOM BY +ING 3IHANOUK RESTORED TO HIS THRONE AFTER YEARS IN EXILE 4HE &UNCINPEC MEMBERS OF THE 2OYAL 'OVERNMENT EXPECTED CONTINUED ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FROM 3INGAPORE WHILE THE FORMER COMMUNIST #00 MEMBERS VIEWED US WITH MORE CAUTION ) HAD TO MAINTAIN A DIPLOMATIC EQUIDISTANCE WHILE HAVING FRIENDLIER PERSONAL RELATIONS WITH THE &UNCINPEC LEADERS AS DID MOST OF THE DIPLOMATS OF WESTERN AND !3%!. MISSIONS #AMBODIA WAS STILL RENT BY TENSIONS BETWEEN THE COALITION PARTNERS WHILE lGHTING THE +HMER 2OUGE FORCES IN THE NORTH AND WEST OF THE COUNTRY 4ENSIONS CAME TO A HEAD IN WHEN THE COALITION PARTNERS LAUNCHED ATTACKS AGAINST EACH OTHERS HEADQUARTERS AND FOUGHT RUNNING BATTLES IN 0HNOM 0ENH ) WAS ON VACATION IN %NGLAND WHEN THE COALITION CONmICT ERUPTED BUT THE 3INGAPORE
-USHAHID !LIINDD
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-ISSION ORGANISED AN IMMEDIATE EVACUATION OF 3INGAPOREANS WITH THE HELP OF 3!& AIRCRAFT ) RETURNED A WEEK LATER TO JOIN THE OTHER !3%!. AMBASSADORS HELP #AMBODIA PICK UP THE PIECES AND WITH OTHER &RIENDS OF #AMBODIA URGE THEM TO RECONCILE THEIR DIFFERENCES THROUGH ELECTIONS /N RETURNING TO NORMALCY #AMBODIA WAS ADMITTED TO !3%!. IN !PRIL AND ) FOUND MYSELF ORGANISING THE !3%!. MISSIONS TO SING !3%!. SONGS AT A STATE DINNER TO MARK THE OCCASION 3OME OLD TIMERS AMONG THE #AMBODIANS EXPRESSED APPRECIATION AT 3INGAPORES UNWAVERING EFFORTS IN RESTORING #AMBODIAS INDEPENDENCE AND ITS ASSISTANCE IN PREPARING #AMBODIA FOR !3%!. MEMBERSHIP 3INGAPORE CAN TAKE PRIDE IN THAT ACHIEVEMENT WHILE BEING MINDFUL OF THE PERILS FACING THE COUNTRY WITH ITS HISTORY AND PROPENSITY FOR VIOLENCE )T WAS A PIQUANT MOMENT WHEN ) WAS CONFERRED THE MEDAL OF THE 2OYAL /RDER OF 3AHAMETREI &RIENDSHIP BY +ING .ORODOM 3IHANOUK UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE &OREIGN -INISTER FROM #00
2EmECTIONS ) LEARNT THE VIRTUE OF MAINTAINING A STUDIOUS EVENHANDED NEUTRALITY BETWEEN THE CONTENDING FACTIONS WHILE BEING EQUALLY FRIENDLY TO ALL 3INGAPORE LEADERS AND OFlCIALS CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE WARM FRIENDSHIP AND REGARD OF #AMBODIANS OF ALL STRIPES NOTWITHSTANDING OUR PARTIALITY AND SUPPORT FOR THE NON COMMUNIST AND ROYALIST FACTIONS DURING THEIR YEARS OF STRUGGLE 4HE 3INGAPORE DIPLOMAT HAS TO BE HONOURABLE AND HONEST TO ENJOY THE CONlDENCE AND TRUST OF ITS PARTNERS AND FRIENDS AND GAIN THE RESPECT OF OPPONENTS ) AM CONlDENT WITH SUCH ATTRIBUTES THE 3INGAPORE &OREIGN 3ERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO HELP 3INGAPORE mOURISH
-USHAHID !LIINDD
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)MPRESSIONS OF $IPLOMATIC ,IFE 0ROFESSOR -AURICE "!+%2 WAS 0RO #HANCELLOR OF THE .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE FROM TO UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN (E JOINED THE 5NIVERSITY OF -ALAYA IN 3INGAPORE AS ,ECTURER IN THE %NGLISH $EPARTMENT IN )N HE WAS SECONDED TO THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND SENT AS 3INGAPORES lRST (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO )NDIA AND CONCURRENTLY AS !MBASSADOR TO .EPAL )N AFTER THE -AY RACIAL RIOTS IN -ALAYSIA HE WAS SENT TO +UALA ,UMPUR IN !UGUST (E RETURNED TO THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE IN *ULY TO BECOME (EAD OF THE $EPARTMENT OF %NGLISH ,ANGUAGE AND ,ITERATURE FOR THE NEXT SIX YEARS )N HE WAS APPOINTED !MBASSADOR TO THE 0HILIPPINES AND IN FOR THE SECOND TIME AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO -ALAYSIA WHERE HE REMAINED UNTIL !PRIL )N 0RESIDENT 7EE +IM 7EE APPOINTED HIM 0RO #HANCELLOR OF THE 5NIVERSITY (E RECEIVED THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE 3TAR IN $OCTORATE OF ,AW IN FOR HIS DEVOTED SERVICE TO 3INGAPORE AND THE 5NIVERSITY AND THE -ERITORIOUS 3ERVICE -EDAL "*' IN 4HE 9ANG DI 0ERTUAN !GONG OF -ALAYSIA CONFERRED THE 0ANGLIMA 3ETIA -AHKOTA 03- WITH THE TITLE OF 4AN 3RI (ONORARY ON HIM IN
0IONEER $IPLOMATS E WERE THE PIONEERS OF 3INGAPORES DIPLOMATIC CORPS 7E HAD NEITHER BRIElNGS NOR ANY INSTRUCTIONS OR TRAINING BEFORE WE 7ONG ,IN +EN AND ) FROM THE 5NIVERSITY WERE ASKED TO REPRESENT 3INGAPORE AS HEADS OF MISSIONS OVERSEAS ) WAS DESPATCHED TO )NDIA IN AND ) HAD TO LEARN TO DO THE JOB HANDS ON &ORTUNATELY THE "RITISH AND !USTRALIAN (IGH #OMMISSIONERS WERE VERY HELPFUL ) HAD READ SOME BOOKS ON )NDIA AND STUDIED THE HISTORY OF )NDIA IN 2AFmES #OLLEGE
7
)NDIA /NE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING A DIPLOMAT IS HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET SOME VERY REMARKABLE PEOPLE ONE WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE
-AURICE "AKERINDD
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NO CHANCE TO MEET 4HE MOST INTERESTING MINISTER ) HAD TO CALL ON WAS -ORAJI $ESAI A VERY STRICT VEGETARIAN WHO LIVED ON GOATS MILK AND VEGETABLES HE EVEN AVOIDED DRINKING TEA OR COFFEE (E WAS IN HIS SEVENTIES BUT HE LOOKED ABOUT WITH A CLEAR COMPLEXION AND A SHARP MIND (E WOULD NOT ATTEND ANY PARTY HOSTED BY DIPLOMATS UNLESS THERE WAS NO ALCOHOL SERVED WHILE HE WAS PRESENT (E WAS A STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN ) WAS ABLE TO ARRANGE FOR HIM TO VISIT 3INGAPORE ON HIS WAY TO !USTRALIA (E STAYED FOR TWO DAYS AT THE )STANA AND A GOAT HAD TO BE OBTAINED FOR THE MILK (E HAD USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH SOME OF OUR MINISTERS 4HE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT IT WAS THAT BEFORE ) LEFT )NDIA HE WAS SACKED BY -RS 'ANDHI THE 0RIME -INISTER THEN 7HEN ) HAD CALLED ON HIM THE lRST TIME THERE WERE AT LEAST TO PEOPLE SITTING IN HIS GARDEN WAITING TO SEE HIM "UT WHEN HE FELL FROM POWER THERE WAS NOT A SOUL AROUND EXCEPT FOR HIS SECRETARY (E WAS SITTING IN A ROOM AT THE BACK DRESSED LIKE -AHATMA 'ANDHI IN SIMPLE )NDIAN CLOTHES AT A SPINNING WHEEL (E KEPT ON TALKING TO ME ) THINK HE APPRECIATED THE FACT THAT ) WAS ONE OF THE FEW WHO HAD CALLED ON HIM AFTER HE HAD FALLEN FROM POWER ) REMEMBER HIM SAYING THAT -RS 'ANDHI WAS A COMMUNIST (E WAS VERY BITTER 3OME YEARS LATER HE BECAME 0RIME -INISTER (E WAS NOTED FOR DRINKING HIS OWN URINE EVERY MORNING ) SUPPOSE IT WAS VERY PURE BECAUSE OF HIS VEGETARIAN DIET (E LIVED TO THE AGE OF PERFECTLY HEALTHY UNTIL HE DIED /NCE ) HAD TO CALL ON -RS 'ANDHI WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR OWN 0RIME -INISTER AND ) HAD TO ARRANGE FOR HER VISIT TO 3INGAPORE WHICH SHE WAS KEEN TO DO 7HILE ) WAS TALKING TO HER ) NOTICED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONDING BUT WAS DOODLING ALL THE TIME 4HE lRST DIPLOMAT ) CALLED ON WAS THE $EAN OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS WHO WAS THE -EXICAN !MBASSADOR /CTAVIO 0AZ (E WAS A WELL KNOWN POET WHO EVENTUALLY WON THE .OBEL 0RIZE FOR ,ITERATURE (E WAS MORE INTERESTED IN COLLECTING )NDIAN ANTIQUES THAN DIPLOMACY AS -EXICO HAD VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH )NDIA )N HE CRITICISED
-AURICE "AKERINDD
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HIS 'OVERNMENT FOR ITS HANDLING OF THE STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN -EXICO (E RESIGNED IN PROTEST AND LEFT TO SETTLE IN &RANCE !NOTHER OUTSTANDING DIPLOMAT WHO lTTED IN VERY WELL WITH THE )NDIANS WAS #HESTER "OWLES OF THE 5NITED 3TATES WHOSE WIFE ALWAYS DRESSED IN A SARI (E WAS KIND AND COURTEOUS AND WAS ABLE TO GIVE ME GOOD INSIGHT INTO THE )NDIAN CULTURE 4HERE WAS ALSO AN INTERESTING DIPLOMAT A 3YRIAN POET WHO WAS BANISHED FROM HIS COUNTRY AND COULD GET NO NEARER TO $AMASCUS THAN "EIRUT ) ALSO REMEMBER A GENERAL FROM :AIRE WHO WAS TOLD BY -OBUTU THAT AS THEY WERE FRIENDS HE WOULD NOT WANT TO LIQUIDATE HIM SO HE WAS SENDING HIM ABROAD AS AN AMBASSADOR )N SOME INSTANCES GOVERNMENTS SENT THEIR RETIRED GENERALS AS AMBASSADORS IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO DO
-ALAYSIA )N ) WAS ASKED BY OUR &OREIGN -INISTER 3 2AJARATNAM TO LEAVE )NDIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS HE WANTED ME IN -ALAYSIA AFTER THE -AY RIOTS WHICH WERE A SHOCK TO EVERYBODY -INISTER 2AJARATNAM KNEW THAT 4UN 2AZAK AND ) WERE GOOD FRIENDS IN ,ONDON WHERE ALONG WITH $R 'OH +ENG 3WEE WE FOUNDED THE -ALAYAN &ORUM WHICH WORKED FOR INDEPENDENCE FOR -ALAYA AND 3INGAPORE ) ARRIVED AND PRESENTED MY CREDENTIALS IN !UGUST 7E FEARED THAT TOO MANY #HINESE WHO WERE FRIGHTENED BY THE RIOTS WOULD mOOD INTO 3INGAPORE 4HEN AGAIN THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF A MILITARY TAKEOVER &ORTUNATELY NOT ONLY WAS 4UN 2AZAK VERY FRIENDLY AS USUAL HE INVITED ME TO TEA EVEN BEFORE ) PRESENTED MY CREDENTIALS ,ATER ON WHEN HE TOOK OVER FROM 4UNKU !BDUL 2AHMAN AS 0RIME -INISTER IN HIS BIRTHDAY BROADCAST TO THE NATION IN 3EPTEMBER HE ACTUALLY NAMED ME AS ONE OF HIS THREE CLOSEST FRIENDS FROM HIS 2AFmES #OLLEGE AND ,ONDON DAYS 4HIS ANNOUNCEMENT BOOSTED MY MORALE AND MADE ME THE ENVY OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS AND GAVE ME GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE DIFlCULT TASK ) FACED IN ATTEMPTING TO IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
-AURICE "AKERINDD
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4HERE WERE SOME DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST 3INGAPORE BY -ALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS BECAUSE OF A HAIR CUTTING INCIDENT WHEN THREE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS HAD THEIR LONG HAIR CROPPED BY DETECTIVES WHO ARRESTED THEM IN 3INGAPORE !T THAT TIME IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL OF THE -INISTRY OF (OME !FFAIRS HAD BEEN WITH ME IN 2AFmES #OLLEGE AS WERE THREE OTHER 3ECRETARY 'ENERALS AS WELL AS SOME -INISTERS 4HESE CONNECTIONS HELPED TO TIDE OVER DIFlCULT SITUATIONS ) WAS IN -ALAYSIA FOR ONLY ABOUT TWO YEARS WHEN ) DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE 5NIVERSITY
4HE 0HILIPPINES !FTER A PERIOD OF SIX YEARS IN THE 5NIVERSITY IN ) WAS ASKED TO GO TO THE 0HILIPPINES AS !MBASSADOR 4HERE ) WAS PRIVILEGED TO MEET 'ENERAL #ARLOS 2OMULO THE &OREIGN 3ECRETARY A MAN OF GREAT DISTINCTION AND MUCH ACCOMPLISHMENT (E HAD BEEN A 0ROFESSOR OF %NGLISH AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES AND LATER ITS 0RESIDENT (E WAS PLEASED TO KNOW THAT ) TAUGHT %NGLISH AT OUR 5NIVERSITY (E OFTEN FAVOURED THE !3%!. AMBASSADORS /UR !3%!. 3TANDING #OMMITTEE -EETINGS CHAIRED BY 'ENERAL 2OMULO WERE ALSO ENJOYABLE AS AFTER DEALING WITH THE BUSINESS AT HAND WE WERE REGALED BY HIS ANECDOTES /NE OF THE MOST INTERESTING MEETINGS WE HAD WAS WHEN HE WAS CONVALESCING IN HOSPITAL AFTER A GALL BLADDER OPERATION 3O THERE WE WERE SITTING AROUND HIS BED WHILE HE WAS PROPPED UP WITH THE AGENDA IN HIS HANDS 4HIS WAS THE ONLY OCCASION WHEN THE !3%!. 3TANDING #OMMITTEE OF !MBASSADORS HAD ITS MEETING SEATED AROUND THE &OREIGN 3ECRETARY WHO WAS LYING IN BED "UT THE MOST FASCINATING CHARACTER ) MET WAS THE FAMOUS GUERRILLA LEADER ,UIS 4ARUC THE COMMANDER OF THE COMMUNIST FORCES WHICH HAD SURROUNDED -ANILA AND WERE ON THE POINT OF ATTACKING IT BUT THEY WERE OUTMANOEUVRED (E WAS EVENTUALLY PERSUADED TO SURRENDER (E WAS PROMISED AMNESTY BUT WAS SENTENCED TO YEARS JAIL INSTEAD (E GAVE ME A THRILLING ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE HOW FROM POVERTY HE
-AURICE "AKERINDD
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HAD TO WALK SEVERAL MILES TO SCHOOL AND HOW HE HAD SEEN HIS FATHER AND OTHER FARMERS RUTHLESSLY EXPLOITED BY FEUDAL LANDLORDS WHICH TURNED HIM INTO A COMMUNIST 7HEN ) MET HIM HE HAD ALREADY SERVED HIS SENTENCE AND HAD BECOME VERY RELIGIOUS AND A SOCIAL WORKER TRYING HARD TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF THE PEASANTS !NOTHER EXTRAORDINARY PERSON ) MET WAS *AIME #ARDINAL 3IN WHO WIELDED GREAT POWER OVER THE COUNTRY AND WHO COULD INmUENCE THE POLICIES OF 0RESIDENT -ARCOS TO SOME EXTENT (E WAS BLESSED WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOUR ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT AND WAS HALF #HINESE )NVITED TO HIS HOUSE FOR LUNCH HE GREETED MY WIFE AND ME WITH THIS SALUTATION h7ELCOME TO THE (OUSE OF 3INv ) MET HIM ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND ENJOYED HIS WIT AND GOOD HUMOUR !NOTHER PERSON OF GREAT INTEREST WAS 'ENERAL &IDEL 2AMOS WHO BECAME 0RESIDENT AFTER #ORAZON !QUINOS TERM ENDED !S ) HAD GOT ACQUAINTED WITH HIM EVEN BEFORE ) MADE MY OFlCIAL COURTESY CALL ON HIM ) ASKED WHETHER HE WOULD LET ME OFF THE USUAL INSPECTION OF THE GUARD OF HONOUR BEFORE SEEING HIM (E SMILED AND SAID h) WILL DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOUv 7HEN ) TURNED UP ACCOMPANIED BY 3INGAPORES $EFENCE !TTACHÏ ) WAS ASTOUNDED TO lND A WHOLLY FEMININE GUARD OF HONOUR SMART AND CURVACEOUS IN THEIR UNIFORMS WAITING TO BE INSPECTED ) WAS SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED BUT IT WAS CERTAINLY THE BEST LOOKING THE MOST UNUSUAL GUARD OF HONOUR ) HAD EVER INSPECTED 4HE GENERAL ASKED ME WITH A TWINKLE IN HIS EYE HOW ) HAD APPRECIATED HIS GESTURE AND CHUCKLED GOOD HUMOUREDLY
-ALAYSIA THE 3ECOND 4OUR !T THE END OF THREE YEARS IN THE 0HILIPPINES ) WAS ASKED TO GO BACK AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO -ALAYSIA WHICH WAS THEN UNDER 0RIME -INISTER $ATUK (USSEIN /NN (E RESIGNED IN AS HE WAS IN ILL HEALTH AND $R -AHATHIR TOOK OVER (ERE AGAIN ) WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT MANY OF THE 3ECRETARY 'ENERALS HAD BEEN MY STUDENTS IN WHEN -ALAY SCHOLARS FROM ALL OVER -ALAYSIA HAD TO DO A YEARS
-AURICE "AKERINDD
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COURSE IN %NGLISH IN 3INGAPORE ) WAS THE ONE WHO ARRANGED IT AND ) DID SOME OF THE TEACHING AS WELL !ND AS THEY WERE ALL IN VERY IMPORTANT POSITIONS ) HAD ACCESS TO THE VARIOUS MINISTRIES )T WAS MOST FORTUNATE THAT THE LATE *AMES 0UTHUCHEARY INTRODUCED ME TO $AIM :AINUDDIN WHO LATER BECAME A 4UN AND &INANCE -INISTER AND WHO WAS A CLOSE FRIEND OF THE 0RIME -INISTER $R -AHATHIR 4UN $AIM WAS INVALUABLE IN HELPING ME TO UNDERSTAND -ALAYSIAN POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC POLICIES )T IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE FRIENDS IN KEY PLACES ) WAS MORE FORTUNATE THAN MOST IN THAT 4UN 2AZAK THE 0RIME -INISTER WAS MY CLOSE FRIEND WHOM ) COULD APPROACH WHEN NECESSARY ) WAS ABLE TO ARRANGE PARTIES AT MY RESIDENCE WHERE 4UN 2AZAK ENJOYED MEETING HIS OLD 2AFmES #OLLEGE FRIENDS WHO CAME FROM 0ENANG AND OTHER STATES TO VISIT AND HAVE TEA WITH HIM WHERE HE COULD RELAX AND ENJOY HIMSELF )NCIDENTALLY DURING MY TWO TERMS REPRESENTING 3INGAPORE AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO -ALAYSIA FOUR -ALAYSIAN 0RIME -INISTERS HELD OFlCE IN SUCCESSION 4UNKU !BDUL 2AHMAN 4UN !BDUL 2AZAK 4UN (USSEIN /NN AND $R -AHATHIR -OHAMED )T WAS INDEED A RARE HONOUR TO HAVE SERVED 3INGAPORE DURING THEIR TIME
#ONCLUSION 5NPREPARED AS WE WERE THE GROUP OF PIONEER DIPLOMATS HAD TO LEARN THE ROPES OF DIPLOMACY WHILE ON THE JOB ,OOKING BACK OUR SUCCESS DID NOT COME ABOUT WITH JUST OUR HARD WORK AND OUR -INISTERS VISIONARY LEADERSHIP IT WAS ALSO A FORTUITOUS COMBINATION OF HAVING HELPFUL AND WELL PLACED FRIENDS GOOD TIMING AND THE PRACTICAL WISDOM THAT CAME WITH THE NEED TO REPRESENT 3INGAPORES INTEREST WELL AND WITH STYLE
-AURICE "AKERINDD
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! *ONAH IN $IPLOMACY -R (ARRY #(!. +ENG (OWE HAS SERVED AS !MBASSADOR TO #AMBODIA AND %GYPT AND AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO .EW :EALAND AND )NDIA (E STARTED HIS CAREER AS !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY FOR %CONOMIC !FFAIRS IN THE #OLONIAL 3ECRETARYS /FlCE IN AFTER A BRIEF SPELL IN THE 3TRAITS 4IMES AS A JOURNALIST (E SUBSEQUENTLY HELD THE POSITION OF !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY FOR 4RANSPORT AND 7ORKS 5NDER THE ,ABOUR &RONT GOVERNMENT n HE WAS !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY IN THE -INISTRY OF #OMMUNICATIONS AND 7ORKS AND LATER 0RINCIPAL !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY FOR #OMMERCE AND )NDUSTRY 7HEN THE 0EOPLES !CTION 0ARTY 0!0 CAME INTO POWER IN HE BECAME $EPUTY 3ECRETARY IN THE -INISTRY OF &INANCE &ROM TO HE WAS THE 0RINCIPAL !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY IN THE -INISTRY OF %DUCATION (E WAS THE 3ECRETARY OF THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE #OMMISSION AND THE ,EGAL 3ERVICE #OMMISSION FROM TO THE !CTING 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY FOR THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND THE !3%!. 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL FOR 3INGAPORE FROM TO
N MY DIPLOMATIC CAREER ) HAD THE UNCANNY DISTINCTION OF BEING A *ONAH AMONG DIPLOMATS )N ALL MY POSTINGS THERE WAS SUDDEN DEATH OR DEPOSITION OF A HEAD OF GOVERNMENT SOON AFTER MY ARRIVAL &IRST 0RINCE 3IHANOUK OF #AMBODIA WAS DEPOSED THEN 0RIME -INISTER .ORMAN +IRK OF .EW :EALAND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK AND THEREAFTER FOLLOWED TWO ASSASSINATIONS THOSE OF 0RESIDENT 3ADAT OF %GYPT AND )NDIAS 0RIME -INISTER )NDIRA 'ANDHI ALL WITHIN SIX MONTHS AND IN -RS 'ANDHIS CASE NOT EVEN WITHIN A MONTH OF MY ARIVAL ) HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO SERVE IN !SIA -IDDLE %AST AND %UROPE )N THIS ESSAY ) WILL RECALL THE MOST INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS ) HAD ABOUT THE COUNTRIES THAT ) HAD SERVED IN
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(ARRY #HAN +ENG (OWEINDD
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0RINCE 3IHANOUK AND #AMBODIA 0RINCE 3IHANOUK RULED MORE THAN REIGNED A BENIGN AUTOCRAT GIVEN TO HIS mAMBOYANT THEATRICAL AND WHIMSICAL WAYS (IS ARTFUL EXPLOITATION OF THE DEVA RAJA GOD KING MYTH MADE ALL THE PEASANTS WORSHIP HIM (E WAS WONT TO RAIN DOWN BALES OF CLOTH FROM A CELESTIAL HELICOPTER OUT IN THE COUNTRY 4HE FETE DE EAUX WATER FESTIVAL IN .OVEMBER WAS THE LAST BEFORE HIS OUSTER BY 'ENERAL ,ON .OL BUT IT PROVIDED lRSTHAND EVIDENCE OF THIS ADORATION FROM SUCH SIMPLE FOLK WHO IN A UNIQUE CASE IN THE REGION HAD OWNED THEIR OWN LAND SAVE IN RICE RICH "ATTAMBANG ONLY GRADUALLY TO BE DEPRIVED OF IT BY GRASPING CITY FOLK PLYING EASY LOANS WITH USURIOUS RATES ! CORE OF THE CITY FOLK AN EDUCATED MIDDLE CLASS WITH A SPRINKLING OF 0ARIS TRAINED INTELLIGENTSIA CHAFED AT THE DENIAL OF POWER SHARING WHILE GEOPOLITICS WITH A RAGING WAR NEXT DOOR SHAPED THE lNAL EVENTS FOR A SPEEDY DOWNFALL 4O HIS CREDIT THE PRINCE HAD KEPT HIS PERCH ON THE TIGHTROPE FOR A GOOD FOURTEEN YEARS NON ALIGNED BUT PERFORCE EXHIBITING A SLANT TOWARDS #HINA (ISTORY WOULD BE KIND TO 3IHANOUK WHO WAS RESURRECTED AND THE MONARCHY WAS RESTORED
.EW :EALAND -OVING WITH THE 4IMES /N lRST ACQUAINTANCE .EW :EALAND PRESENTED ME WITH A SENSE OF NOT MOVING WITH THE TIMES )TS REmEXES WERE CONDITIONED BY ITS ALMOST EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC LINKS WITH MOTHER COUNTRY "RITAIN FOR WHICH IT WAS A VIRTUAL OFFSHORE FARM "UT THE LATTER HAD NOW ENTERED THE %UROPEAN 5NION WITH NEW PROTOCOLS TO ADHERE TO 3INGAPORES OWN BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH .EW :EALAND HAD TRAVERSED LONG HISTORICAL TIES WITHIN THE #OMMONWEALTH 7ORLD 7AR )) AND MORE RECENTLY THE )NDONESIAN h#ONFRONTASIv AND THE &IVE 0OWER $EFENCE !RRANGEMENTS AS WELL AS THE GENEROUS PROVISIONS OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS AND OTHER TRAINING COURSES UNDER THE #OLOMBO 0LAN AND #OMMONWEALTH 3CHOLARSHIPS AND &ELLOWSHIPS
(ARRY #HAN +ENG (OWEINDD
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4HERE WAS NO QUESTION OF LETTING THEIR TROOPS STAY LONGER IN 3INGAPORE DESPITE OUR OWN PRESSING NEEDS THEN WHILE WE OBTAINED OFFSHORE FACILITIES FOR OUR OWN EXERCISES ! 3CIENTIlC )NDUSTRIAL AND 4ECHNOLOGICAL !GREEMENT 3)4! PROVIDED THE UMBRELLA FOR NEW JOINT ENTERPRISES AND OTHER MUTUALLY BENElCIAL ACTIVITIES 3INGAPORE !IRLINES 3)! SECURED FURTHER ACCESS AS WELL )NDIVIDUALLY .EW :EALANDERS DID HELP TO PROVIDE THE SENSE OF hRUGGED INDIVIDUALISMv WHICH 3INGAPORE HAD WANTED TO IMBIBE 4HEY HAVE A LONG TRADITION BORN OF NECESSITY OF MAKING DO AND CREATIVE IMPROVISATION 4HUS THERE AROSE AN ARRAY OF SMALL INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES FOR WHICH ONLY AN EXTERNAL MARKET WAS NEEDED 4HIS MUST LIE TO THE NORTH THAT IS AMONG THE !SEAN NEIGHBOURS "UT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD IDEA HAD TO BE SOLD TO THEM A NEW WORK CUT OUT FOR ME AND MY !SEAN COLLEAGUES WHICH WE DID ENTHUSIASTICALLY ESPECIALLY WHEN ) BECAME THE $EAN OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS ! SURPRISING TRIBUTE WAS PAID ME BY A PERSONAL FAREWELL BY THE FORMER .EW :EALAND $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER "RIAN 4ALBOYS WHO OVERSAW /VERSEAS 4RADE AS A lRM FRIEND WHEN ) lNALLY DEPARTED AT THE 7ELLINGTON AIRPORT 4HE .EW :EALAND ) LEFT SUBSEQUENTLY LAUNCHED ITSELF INTO AN ERA OF LIBERALISATION ABANDONING A COMPLICATED SYSTEM OF HIGH TARIFFS AND IMPORT CONTROLS AND HAS BECOME A MORE DIVERSIlED AND COMPETITIVE ECONOMY
%GYPT AND 9UGOSLAVIA #AIRO WAS A MAJOR LISTENING POST WHERE THE !MERICANS HAD ONE OF ITS LARGEST SECOND PERHAPS EMBASSIES BUT FOR US IT WAS ONE BASE FOR ALL OF !FRICA AND THE -IDDLE %AST EXCEPT HAVING ALSO A CONSULATE IN 3AUDI !RABIA #OUPLED WITH "ELGRADE WE FULlLLED SOME OBLIGATION IN RESPECT OF OUR MEMBERSHIP OF THE .ON !LIGNED -OVEMENT .!- ! WATERSHED EVENT WAS 0RESIDENT 3ADATS SIGNING OF THE #AMP $AVID !CCORD AND HIS SPECTACULAR PERSONAL APPEARANCE BEFORE THE
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)SRAELI 0ARLIAMENT IN *ERUSALEM 3TEERING THE COUNTRY AWAY FROM THE .ASSERITE BRAND OF SOCIALISM AND PAN !RABISM 3ADAT MOVED 7EST AND INTRODUCED )NFATAH OR THE /PEN $OOR 0OLICY (IS PREMATURE DEATH AT THE HANDS OF MILITANT SOLDIERS lRED BY -USLIM "ROTHERHOOD DOCTRINES ENDED HIS -ISSION ABRUPTLY 0RESIDENT -UBARAK HAS CONTINUED WITH THIS AGENDA ALBEIT WITH LESS ENTHUSIASM AND mAIR -IDDLE %ASTERN AFFAIRS ON THE WHOLE WERE A WHIRLIGIG AND A MOVING TARGET FOR CLEAR REPORTAGE 9UGOSLAVIA WAS AN ARTIlCIAL FEDERAL STATE COBBLED TOGETHER BY -ARSHAL 4ITO BUT WITH HIM GONE THE GLUE WENT TOO 4HE FAULTLINES OF ETHNICITY RELIGION AND HISTORY HAD MADE FOR A FRAGILE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNANCE ONE OF METICULOUS BALANCING OF INTERESTS 4HE BRAND OF COMMUNISM PRACTISED IN 9UGOSLAVIA WAS A DElANCE OF THE 3OVIET MODEL A BOTTOM UP PARADIGM INSTEAD OF A SINGLE MONOLITH 5NFORTUNATELY FOR 4ITO NEITHER THE COUNTRY 9UGOSLAVIA NOR HIS SPECIAL BRAND OF COMMUNISM WOULD SURVIVE HIM
)NDIA AND 3OUTH !SIA 4AKING A BROAD VIEW )NDIA HAS ALWAYS CELEBRATED ITS DIVERSITY AND FUNCTIONAL DEMOCRACY )N AN OUTSTANDING CONTRAST WITH #HINA SECTARIAN STRIFE IN ONE PART OF )NDIA DOES NOT GENERALLY INFECT THE COUNTRY OVERALL WHEREAS IN #HINA WITH ITS GENERAL HOMOGENEITY OF RACE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CONVULSION WHEN IT COMES CAN BE WHOLESALE 2AJIV 'ANDHIS BOLD EXPERIMENT WITH A SLATE OF YOUNG TECHNOCRATS WAS CONSIDERABLY STYMIED BY THE OLD POWER BROKERS OF #ONGRESS !TTEMPTS AT ECONOMIC LIBERALISATION SEESAWED AGAINST A BACKDROP OF THE PREVAILING MIXED ECONOMY 4HUS THE 0LANNING #OMMISSION HELD SWAY 4O THE OTHER FOUR UNIFYING FORCES BROUGHT BY THE "RITISH THE ARMY THE CIVIL SERVICE THE RAILWAY AND THE %NGLISH LANGUAGE THIS AUGUST BODY WAS ADDED TO EFFECT SOME DISTRIBUTIVE EQUITY IN THE FEDERAL 5NION
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&OLLOWING A DISASTROUS WAR IN WITH #HINA 3INGAPORE WAS HARD PUT TO DISABUSE )NDIA OF ANY THOUGHT OF OUR BEING #HINAS lFTH COLUMN AND THAT WAS WHY NO 3INGAPOREAN #HINESE HAD BEEN SENT TILL MY TIME 0RIME -INISTER .EHRU AND HIS DAUGHTER )NDIRA HAD A SMALL COTERIE OF SUPER BUREAUCRATS BUT THEY SOON FADED AWAY AS 2AJIV BECAME MORE CONlDENT OF HIMSELF -Y CREDENTIALS AS A MEMBER OF THE 3INGAPORE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE 3!3 MADE FOR EASY RAPPORT WITH COUNTERPARTS IN THE )NDIAN !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE )!3 4HE LATTER WIELDED ENORMOUS POWER AS THEIR POLITICAL HEADS WERE KEPT CONSTANTLY BUSY WITH THEIR LARGE CONSTITUENCIES EACH WITH A MILLION VOTERS OR MORE 0OSITIVE BILATERAL TRENDS IN TRADE AND INCREASED COMMUNICATIONS WITH 3)! GAINING THREE MORE GATEWAYS AND THE INSIGHT ) GAINED CONCERNING "ANGALORE EVEN IN DID HAVE ULTIMATE EFFECT !ND THERE WAS SCOPE TO DIG INTO #ALCUTTAS LODE OF 3INGAPORES HISTORY AND HERITAGE IF ONE WAS SO INCLINED 5NLIKE )NDIA 3RI ,ANKA REMAINED ENGULFED IN CIVIL WAR WITH NO END IN SIGHT ) FOUND FAVOUR WITH 0RESIDENT *AYEWARDANE FOR FACILITATING 3)!S RETURN TO #OLOMBO AND AN UNSOLICITED HELICOPTER mIGHT OVER THE %ASTERN REGIONS HAD BROUGHT MUCH ENVY AMONG RESIDENT AMBASSADORS )N 3OUTH !SIA THE 3OUTH !SIAN !SSOCIATION FOR 2EGIONAL #O OPERATION 3!!2# HAD MEANT TO BE MODELLED ON !SEAN BUT IT NEVER SEEMED TO TAKE OFF WITH )NDIA BEING TOO ELEPHANTINE A PARTNER AND EACH MEMBER NOT HAVING MUCH TO PARLEY WITH THE REST AND THE INTERMITTENTLY BELLICOSE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO LARGEST COUNTRIES )NDIA AND 0AKISTAN 7HILE RESIDENT IN .EW $ELHI MY BAILIWICK ALSO INCLUDED .EPAL "ANGLADESH THE -ALDIVES AND )RAN APART FROM 3RI ,ANKA 3PACE PRECLUDES MY GOING INTO ANY DETAILS CONCERNING THEM
#ONCLUSION )T IS HARD IN THESE DAYS OF COMPUTERS CELLPHONES AND 0$!S TO IMAGINE LIFE IN THE PIONEERING DAYS OF THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE WHERE THE
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HEIGHT OF SOPHISTICATION WAS THE TELEX AND HAND CRUNCHED OPERATING CODE (OW ONE YEARS BUDGET FOR TELEXING WAS BUSTED IN ONE DAY AFTER 3IHANOUKS OUSTER /R CANDLELIGHT DINING NOT BY CHOICE BUT NECESSITY BECAUSE OF BLACKOUTS AND HAND GRENADES LOBBED ONTO WHERE ONE WAS MOMENTS AGO /R STRIDENT ANTI WAR .EW :EALAND STUDENTS INFECTING OUR OWN STUDENTS WHO INSTINCTIVELY LINKING ME WITH MY -ALAYSIAN COUNTERPART TRIED TO GET RID OF ME AS THEY DID HIM !ND IMPERVIOUS )NDIAN BUREAUCRATS OF A FADING ERA !ND SO ON )NTELLECTUAL PREPARATION WAS NEVER ENOUGH IN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CALLED FOR SENSITIVE AND ADROIT COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS AND PERSONAL mAIR DISCERNMENT RAW STAMINA AND ABOVE ALL IMAGINATION ALL IN A SINGLE QUIVER FOR INSTANT USE WHEN NEEDED 7HAT THEY CALL %1 TODAY IS lNE BUT PERHAPS SOMETHING ELSE WAS NEEDED ) HAD DIRECTLY ENCOUNTERED CIVIL WARS ETHNIC AND SECTARIAN CONmICTS IN THE COUNTRIES ) WAS POSTED TO BUT IT WAS TRUE SERENDIPITY FOR ME TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERFACE WITH SO MANY CULTURES AND CIVILIZATIONS
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4HE (UMAN 3IDE OF $IPLOMACY -R #(%7 4AI 3OO IS 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO &RANCE (E JOINED THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE IN AFTER SPENDING SEVEN YEARS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR (E SERVED IN +UALA ,UMPUR AND IN 4OKYO BEFORE HE BECAME 3INGAPORES lRST #ONSUL 'ENERAL IN /SAKA *APAN IN &ROM TO HE WAS 3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN 'ENEVA (E CHAIRED THE '!44 #OMMITTEE ON 4RADE AND $EVELOPMENT IN AND THREE '!44 $ISPUTE 3ETTLEMENT 0ANELS IN (E WAS 3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN .EW 9ORK FROM TO AND CONCURRENTLY THE (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO #ANADA AND !MBASSADOR TO -EXICO )N THE 5. HE FOUNDED AND CHAIRED THE &ORUM OF 3MALL 3TATES FOR COUNTRIES WITH A POPULATION OF LESS THAN MILLION )N HE WAS ELECTED THE lRST #O 6ICE #HAIRMAN OF THE 7ORKING 'ROUP ON THE 2EFORM IN THE 3ECURITY #OUNCIL )N HE BECAME THE $EPUTY 3ECRETARY OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS &ROM TO HE WAS 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO *APAN
! 0ERSONAL 7ELCOME ARRIVED IN .EW 9ORK IN THE EARLY SPRING OF WITH SOME TREPIDATION !FTERALL ) WAS SUCCEEDING SOME OF 3INGAPORES MOST SUCCESSFUL DIPLOMATS 4OMMY +OH 3 *AYAKUMAR +ISHORE -AHBUBANI AND #HAN (ENG #HEE /NE OF THE lRST SURPRISES WHICH GREETED ME WAS TO lND WAITING FOR ME AT THE RESIDENCE OUR !MBASSADOR IN 7ASHINGTON 3 2 .ATHAN (E HAD COME ALL THE WAY FROM 7ASHINGTON JUST TO WELCOME ME AND RETURNED HOME SHORTLY AFTER -R .ATHAN OUR PRESENT 0RESIDENT HAD BEEN MY 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY AND MENTOR FOR MANY YEARS (IS PRESENCE AND REASSURANCE HELPED TO PUT ME AT EASE ABOUT THE TASK AHEAD ) MENTION THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE IN THE CONDUCT OF DIPLOMACY INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AND SENSITIVITY TO THE HUMAN SIDE OF THINGS IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR 4HIS IS PARTICULARLY SO FOR DIPLOMATS FROM
)
#HEW 4AI 3OOINDD
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$IFX 5BJ 4PP
SMALL COUNTRIES IN LARGE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE 5. 4HE SUCCESS OF A DIPLOMAT AT THE 5. IS JUDGED BY THE SUPPORT HE CAN GET FROM THE WORLD BODY THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS WHICH WOULD EITHER PROTECT AND ADVANCE HIS COUNTRYS INTERESTS OR DEFEAT SUCH RESOLUTIONS AS ARE INIMICAL TO HIS COUNTRY )N SHORT IT IS TO WIN THE MAJORITY SUPPORT AND ULTIMATELY VOTES "UT MAKE NO MISTAKE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS DO NOT DIMINISH THE IMPORTANCE OF WELL PLANNED CAMPAIGNS BACKED BY STRONG INTELLECTUAL ARGUMENTS
#ULTIVATING &RIENDS IN THE 5. $URING THE INITIAL PERIOD OF MY OFlCE ) CALLED ON AS MANY OF THE 5. AMBASSADORS AS THE SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS PERMITTED IN PARTICULAR THE AMBASSADORS OF !FRICA AND OTHER 4HIRD 7ORLD COUNTRIES )N THE POLITICS OF THE 5. MANY OF THESE AMBASSADORS ARE SOUGHT AFTER FOR THEIR VOTES #OURTESY CALLS FROM A NEWLY ARRIVED AMBASSADOR ARE MUCH APPRECIATED 4HE !MBASSADOR OF AN %AST !FRICAN COUNTRY TOLD ME DURING THE COURTESY CALL h-Y BROTHER WHEN THE VOTE IS TAKEN AND IT COUNTS JUST REMEMBER THAT ) AM THE PERSON WHO MARKS THE BALLOT PAPER WHATEVER MY 'OVERNMENT MAY TELL YOUv 4HESE WORDS RECALLED A PIECE OF ADVICE GIVEN ME BY THE LATE -R 7EE -ON #HENG MY !MBASSADOR IN 4OKYO h#ULTIVATE YOUR BANKERS WHEN YOU DO NOT NEED MONEY )T IS TOO LATE TO TAKE THEM TO LUNCH WHEN YOU NEED AN OVERDRAFTv AN ADVICE WHICH HAS REMAINED lRMLY IMPRINTED IN MY MIND )N THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY ) HOSTED A LUNCH FOR SEVERAL KEY !FRICAN AMBASSADORS AND -ICHAEL 4EO (IGH #OMMISSIONER DESIGNATE TO .EW :EALAND )T WAS mATTERING TO HEAR THE !MBASSADOR OF "OTSWANA *OE ,EGWAILA SAY h4AI 3OO YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO TAKES US TO LUNCH DURING THE 5.'! WHEN YOU DO NOT WANT OUR VOTESv !ND THIS FROM AN !FRICAN !MBASSADOR WHO KEPT ME WAITING FOR MINUTES WHEN ) MADE MY COURTESY CALL ON HIM TWO AND A HALF YEARS EARLIER 7HAT WAS LEFT UNSPOKEN WAS THAT SHOULD AND WHEN ) NEEDED THEIR VOTES ) COULD COLLECT SO TO SPEAK WITHOUT A LUNCH
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#OLLECTING &AVOURS ,ESSONS FROM 4WO 6OTES %LECTION TO THE #OMMITTEE ON #ONTRIBUTIONS #OLLECT ) DID A YEAR LATER 3INGAPORE DECIDED TO RUN FOR A THIRD TERM FOR THE #OMMITTEE ON #ONTRIBUTIONS #/# 2ANGED AGAINST 3INGAPORE FOR THE TWO !SIAN SEATS WERE *APAN AND )NDIA 4HE FORMER IS THE SECOND LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO THE 5. BUDGET AFTER THE 53 AS WELL AS A MAJOR /VERSEAS $EVELOPMENT !SSISTANCE /$! DONOR )NDIA HAS SIZE AND STRATEGIC WEIGHT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE 5. EITHER IN CONTRIBUTIONS TO PEACE KEEPING OPERATIONS OR IN THE POLICY MAKING PROCESSES IN THE 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY AND 3ECURITY #OUNCIL )N THE FACE OF SUCH OPPONENTS 3INGAPORE MUST APPEAR TO HAVE LITTLE CHANCE )N THE MONTHS PRECEDING THE VOTE THERE WERE MANY PARLIAMENTARY MANOEUVRES AS WELL AS MUCH LOBBYING *APAN WAS PUT AT A SLIGHT DISADVANTAGE WHEN ITS DELEGATE AT AN !SIAN 'ROUP MEETING FAILED TO BLOCK OR OBJECT TO 3INGAPORES PROPOSAL THAT 3INGAPORE AND )NDIA BE ACCEPTED AS THE APPROVED !SIAN 'ROUP CANDIDATES FOR THE #/# 4HE LOBBYING WAS INTENSE AND CEASELESS 4HE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM WAS TO DISCOUNT OF THE PUTATIVE VOTES YOU HAD COLLECTED FROM ALL WHO SAID THEY WOULD VOTE FOR YOU /N PAPER WE WERE GOOD FOR ANOTHER TERM /UR REPUTATION AS A TIGHTLY RUN COUNTRY WITH GREAT lNANCIAL DISCIPLINE OUR RECORD OF ROBUST DEVELOPMENT DESPITE THE LACK OF RESOURCES THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR DIPLOMATS AT THE 5. AND OTHER POSITIVE FACTORS ALL PLAYED A PART IN THE PLEDGES OF SUPPORT FOR 3INGAPORE -OST IMPORTANTLY IN MY VIEW THE PERSONAL REGARD AND FRIENDSHIP BUILT UP OVER THE YEARS BY OUR DIPLOMATS TILTED THE BALANCE IN OUR FAVOUR /N THE DAY ITSELF IT WAS THE USUAL EFFORT OF GETTING OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS INTO THE HALL TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAST THEIR VOTE 4HE RESULT OF THE VOTING WAS A CLEAR VICTORY FOR 3INGAPORE WITH *APAN AND )NDIA COMING AFTER 3O 3INGAPORE AND *APAN WERE ELECTED TO THE #/# 4HE RESULT SURPRISED MANY %VEN IF THEY HAD EXPECTED 3INGAPORE TO GAIN RE ELECTION THEY DID NOT THINK THAT WE WOULD COME IN lRST
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3OME YEARS LATER THE "ANGLADESH AMBASSADOR TO 4OKYO TOLD ME HE STILL REMEMBERED THE EVENT !T THE TIME OF THE ELECTION HE WAS THE $EPUTY 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5. IN .EW 9ORK %VEN IN HE STILL SPOKE WITH SURPRISE AND AWE THAT 3INGAPORE HAD COME IN AHEAD OF *APAN AND )NDIA
"ATTLE WITH %5 ON THE $EATH 0ENALTY 4HIS ELECTION STRENGTHENED AND ENHANCED 3INGAPORES REPUTATION AND CREDIBILITY AT THE 5. )N THE ELECTIONS AND VOTES THAT FOLLOWED WE WERE ABLE TO RIDE ON THE MOMENTUM CREATED /NE OF THE MOST DIFlCULT TASKS WHICH WE TOOK ON WAS TO DEFEAT THE RESOLUTION BY )TALY FOR A MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY )T WAS A RESOLUTION HIGHLY WEIGHTED IN FAVOUR OF )TALY AND THE %5 THE COUNTRIES WHICH HAD ABOLISHED THE DEATH PENALTY AND WHO WERE TRYING TO hCIVILISEv THE REST OF THE WORLD BY GETTING THEM TO DO LIKEWISE /N THE SIDE OF THE RETENTIONISTS WERE THE 53 AND *APAN "UT THE FORMER SENSITIVE TO DOMESTIC POLITICS WAS NOT PREPARED TO WORK WITH THE OTHERS AND TO LOBBY AGAINST THE RESOLUTION )T WAS PREPARED ONLY TO VOTE AGAINST THE RESOLUTION *APAN TOO DID LITTLE -ANY OTHER COUNTRIES WHICH SUPPORTED THE DEATH PENALTY PRACTISED SUMMARY EXECUTIONS AND HENCE LACKED CREDIBILITY &INALLY THE %5 COUNTRIES IN PARTICULAR &RANCE AND "ELGIUM PUT TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON THE &RANCOPHONE COUNTRIES WHICH STILL HAD THE DEATH PENALTY )N ALL IT WAS NOT A POPULAR ISSUE FOR MANY COUNTRIES TO ACTIVELY OPPOSE !T MOST THEY WERE PREPARED TO ABSTAIN 3O WE WERE LEFT WITH A SMALL NUMBER OF COUNTRIES TO WORK WITH AND TO TRY AND DEFEAT THE RESOLUTION 3EVERAL EFFORTS TO PREVENT CONSIDERATION OF THE RESOLUTION USING PROCEDURAL RULES FAILED BECAUSE OF INSUFlCIENT NUMBERS %FFORTS WERE THEN MADE TO REMOVE OR WATER DOWN THE MORE PERNICIOUS PARAGRAPHS OF THE RESOLUTION )T WAS A REARGUARD BATTLE WITH THE GAME TO BE LOST BY )TALY !ND LOSE IT THEY DID BY OVERREACHING LEADING TO THE RETENTIONIST SIDE WINNING A PROCEDURAL VOTE 4HE %5 CO SPONSORS OF THE )TALIAN
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RESOLUTION THEN WITHDREW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE RESOLUTION SINCE THEN IT NO LONGER REmECTED THEIR INTERESTS )T WAS A HARD WON BATTLE FOR 3INGAPORE SUPPORTED BY %GYPT 0AKISTAN AND SEVERAL OTHERS 4HE #HAIRMAN OF THE 4HIRD #OMMITTEE THE 3ENEGALESE AMBASSADOR WAS IMPARTIAL BUT SYMPATHETIC TOWARDS US
#ONCLUSION 4HESE TWO VOTES AT THE 5. SHOWED THAT SUCCESSFUL MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY AND NEGOTIATIONS REQUIRE VERY STRONG INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND THE ABILITY TO CORRAL SUPPORT AT THE RIGHT MOMENT +NOWLEDGE OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE AND INTELLECTUAL ABILITY TO PUT FORWARD A CLEAR AND PERSUASIVE CASE ARE OF COURSE INDISPENSABLE )N A MERITOCRATIC SOCIETY LIKE 3INGAPORE WHERE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IS STRONGLY PRIZED IT IS SOMETIMES EASY TO FORGET THAT IN DIPLOMACY THERE IS A NEED TO WORK WITH A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE 3OME OF THEM MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE HIGHLY QUALIlED ACADEMICALLY NEVERTHELESS THEY ARE LIABLE TO BE ASTUTE DIPLOMATS WITH MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BEHIND THEM 3UCCESS WILL SURELY BE THE MORE CONCEIVABLE GIVEN THEIR SUPPORT
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2EPRESENTING 3INGAPORE IN THE %ARLY 9EARS $R #()!.' (AI $ING WAS !MBASSADOR FOR A TOTAL OF YEARS WITH ACCREDITATIONS TO -ALAYSIA TO TO THE &EDERAL 2EPUBLIC OF 'ERMANY TO TO THE %UROPEAN #OMMUNITIES CONCURRENTLY TO THE (OLY 3EE "ELGIUM THE .ETHERLANDS AND ,UXEMBOURG TO TO THE 5332 5NION OF 3OCIALIST 3OVIET 2EPUBLICS CONCURRENTLY TO &INLAND "ULGARIA (UNGARY 0OLAND AND 2OMANIA TO AND TO THE !RAB 2EPUBLIC OF %GYPT CONCURRENTLY TO #YPRUS *ORDAN 0AKISTAN AND 9UGOSLAVIA TO (E HAS HAD A VARIED CAREER HAVING BEEN A HISTORIAN AN ELECTED -0 -EMBER OF 0ARLIAMENT AND A #ITIBANKER BESIDES !MBASSADOR (E WAS 3ENIOR 2ESEARCH &ELLOW IN )3%!3 )NSTITUTE OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 3TUDIES IN AND %CONOMIC !DVISER IN ./, .EPTUNE /RIENTAL ,INES TO !T HE TOOK A GRADUATE $IPLOMA IN 'ERONTOLOGY FROM 3&5 3IMON &RASER 5NIVERSITY IN #ANADA AND BECAME %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR OF 3!'% 3INGAPORE !CTION 'ROUP OF %LDERS #OUNSELLING #ENTRE
-ALAYSIA BELONG TO THE EARLY GENERATION OF 3INGAPORE DIPLOMATS WHO WENT OUT ON POST ARMED MORE WITH COURAGE THAN KNOWLEDGE )N !UGUST ) WAS APPOINTED AS THE 3INGAPORE (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO -ALAYSIA ) WAS ALL OF YEARS OLD !T THAT TIME ) WAS UP TO MY EARS IN OTHER WORK HAVING BEEN ELECTED -EMBER OF 0ARLIAMENT FOR 5LU 0ANDAN IN !PRIL AND HAVING CHANGED MY JOB FROM UNIVERSITY HISTORIAN TO #ITIBANK ECONOMIST IN &EBRUARY -Y COUNTERPART IN 3INGAPORE HOSTED A DINNER IN MY HONOUR ) HAD NEVER ATTENDED A FORMAL DIPLOMATIC DINNER !FTER $ATO !BDULLAH !LI HAD DELIVERED HIS SPEECH HIS WIFE $ATIN "ADARIAH TURNED EXPECTANTLY TO ME 4AKEN ABACK AND SOMEWHAT DESPERATELY ) LOOKED AT -&!S THEN $EPUTY 3ECRETARY NOW OUR 0RESIDENT 3 2 .ATHAN WHO NODDED ENCOURAGINGLY ) BEGAN WITH THE THINGS ) KNEW THAT THE $ATO 3 2 .ATHAN AND ) HAD ALL COME
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#HIANG (AI $INGINDD
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FROM THE SAME hKAMPONGv VILLAGE IN -ALAYSIA NAMELY -UAR AND THAT BOTH THE $ATO AND 32 HAD BEEN PUPILS OF ONE h-ASTERv -ONG (OE WHO WAS MY FATHER /NE OF THE GUESTS THE &ILIPINO AMBASSADOR OBSERVED TO ME h) KNEW YOUR TWO COUNTRIES ARE CLOSE BUT THIS IS A FAMILY BUSINESSv 4HE -ALAYSIAN 0RIME -INISTER 4UN !BDUL 2AZAK SEEMED SURPRISED THAT 3INGAPORE HAD SENT SUCH A YOUNG MAN AND REFERRED TO MY AGE SEVERAL TIMES DURING MY CALL ON HIM "UT WHEN ) TOLD HIM THAT OUR 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW WISHED TO VISIT HE EXPRESSED HIS WELCOME AND IMMEDIATELY SET THINGS IN MOTION 4HE SUCCESSFUL VISIT THE lRST AFTER h3EPARATIONv IN AND AFTER THE -AY RACE RIOTS ENABLED ME TO MEET A GREAT MANY OFlCIALS VERY QUICKLY ) BELIEVE THAT ) GOT ON WELL WITH $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER 4UN $R )SMAIL AND %DUCATION -INISTER $ATO (USSEIN /NN WHO SUCCEEDED 2AZAK AS 0RIME -INISTER 4HEY WERE BOTH FROM MY hNEGERIv STATE OF *OHORE )N OUR MONTHS ON POST MY WIFE 0ATRICIA AND ) PAID OFlCIAL CALLS ON THE 3ULTANS AND 'OVERNORS OF TEN OF THE -ALAYSIAN STATES 4HE 3ULTAN OF *OHORE OBSERVED THAT ) HAD BEEN HIS SUBJECT AND THE 3ULTAN OF 0ERAK THAT MY WIFE HAD BEEN HIS SUBJECT ) MET $R -AHATHIR BIN -OHAMMAD AT A RECEPTION GIVEN BY THE #HIEF -INISTER OF +EDAH (E HAD JUST BEEN RECEIVED BACK INTO THE FOLD OF THE RULING 0ARTY 5-./ ) HAD HEARD HIM GIVE A TALK AT THE 0YRAMID #LUB IN 3INGAPORE AFTER HE WAS EXPELLED FROM THE 5NITED -ALAYS .ATIONAL /RGANISATION 5-./ ) REQUESTED TO MEET AGAIN WITH HIM IN +UALA ,UMPUR +, 7HEN HE WAS APPOINTED A 3ENATOR VERY COURTEOUSLY HE CALLED ME (E APPEARED MOMENTARILY SURPRISED THAT HE WAS THE ONLY GUEST AT LUNCH (IS REPUTATION hSPOKEv LOUDER THAN HIS CONVERSATION (E SUCCEEDED (USSEIN AS 0- ) ATTENDED AS MANY FUNCTIONS AS POSSIBLE IN +, TO TRY TO MAKE UP FOR BEING SO FREQUENTLY OUT OF TOWN %VERY SECOND &RIDAY ) WOULD CATCH THE LAST PLANE BACK TO 3INGAPORE TO SPEND THE WEEKEND VISITING MY CONSTITUENCY THE WEEKDAYS MEETING WITH POLITICIANS AND CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE 4UESDAY NIGHTS CONDUCTING
#HIANG (AI $INGINDD
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3FQSFTFOUJOH 4JOHBQPSF JO UIF &BSMZ :FBST
MY -EET THE 0EOPLE SESSIONS 4HEN ) WOULD CATCH THE LAST PLANE OUT TO +, 'ENERAL %LECTIONS WERE DUE ANYTIME 3URE ENOUGH ON !UGUST ) mEW FROM 3INGAPORE TO +, TO ATTEND THE -ALAYSIAN .ATIONAL $AY CELEBRATIONS ON !UGUST ) THEN mEW BACK TO 3INGAPORE TO RESUME CAMPAIGNING THE NEXT DAY 4HERE WAS NO CAMPAIGNING ON 3EPTEMBER WHICH WAS POLLING DAY ) RETAINED MY SEAT /NE YEAR LATER AFTER ATTENDING THE -ALAYSIAN .ATIONAL $AY CELEBRATIONS IN +, ON !UGUST ) RETURNED TO #ITIBANK IN 3INGAPORE WHICH HAD GRANTED ME NO PAY LEAVE ) HAD ASKED TO BE TRAINED AS A BANKER SO ) BEGAN AS A TRAINEE THE NEXT DAY 3OME OF MY TRAINERS HAD BEEN MY (ISTORY STUDENTS
'ERMANY )N ) BEGAN MY SECOND POSTING AS THE 3INGAPORE !MBASSADOR TO THE &EDERAL 2EPUBLIC OF 'ERMANY WITH "ONN AS ITS THEN CAPITAL 4HE THEN lVE !3%!. COUNTRIES HAD DECIDED TO UPGRADE THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE THEN %UROPEAN #OMMUNITIES %# )N THAT YEAR 3INGAPORE SENT AN AMBASSADOR EACH TO "ONN #HIANG (AI $ING "RUSSELS (WANG 0ENG 9UAN ,ONDON *EK 9UEN 4HONG AND 0ARIS $AVID -ARSHALL /NCE AGAIN #ITIBANK GRANTED ME NO PAY LEAVE 4HE FOUR OF US WERE TASKED TO PREPARE FOR THE !3%!. %# -INISTERIAL -EETING !%-- TO BE HELD THAT YEAR 7E HELD COORDINATING MEETINGS AMONG OURSELVES IN VARIOUS CAPITALS AND BILATERAL MEETINGS BETWEEN (WANG AND ME AS 'ERMANY HELD THE %# 0RESIDENCY IN THE SECOND HALF OF 4HE !%-- WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL AND THEREAFTER THE &OREIGN -INISTERS OF THE TWO REGIONAL GROUPINGS MET EACH OTHER ABOUT EVERY MONTHS 4HE "ONN !3%!. #OMMITTEE "!# MET WITH 'ERMAN &OREIGN -INISTER (ANS $IETRICH 'ENSCHER EVERY SIX MONTHS )N BETWEEN THE "!# MET WITH 'ERMAN AND OTHER DIPLOMATS POLITICIANS AND OTHERS 7E DISCUSSED AMONG OTHER ISSUES THE 6IETNAMESE INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA
#HIANG (AI $INGINDD
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3INGAPORE HAD NO EMBASSY IN )RAN BUT ) SENT DETAILED REPORTS AS THE REGIME OF THE 3HAH OF )RAN CRUMBLED THANKS TO A FRIENDLY 'ERMAN &OREIGN -INISTRY 4HE 'ERMAN AMBASSADOR IN 4EHERAN WAS REPUTED TO BE THE BEST INFORMED OF THE WESTERN DIPLOMATS 4HE RULING 'ERMAN 3OCIALISTS 30$ TREATED ME AS A FRATERNAL COLLEAGUE AND ITS HEAD OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS LUNCHED WITH ME REGULARLY AND GAVE ME VALUABLE POLITICAL INSIGHTS
"ELGIUM )N ) WAS TRANSFERRED TO "RUSSELS TO SUCCEED 0 9 (WANG "ELGIUM WAS 0RESIDENT OF %# )TS &OREIGN -INISTER ,EO 4INDEMANS HAD ATTENDED AN !3%!. MEETING IN 3INGAPORE AND WAS SO IMPRESSED THAT WHEN ) ASKED IF HE WOULD MEET WITH THE !3%!. "RUSSELS #OMMITTEE !"# LIKE HIS 'ERMAN COUNTERPART 'ENSCHER HE IMMEDIATELY AGREED ) BELIEVE THAT HE ENJOYED THE EXCHANGES AND NOT ONLY WE BUT ALSO HIS OWN -&! OFlCERS BENElTED FROM HIS LUCID EXPOSITION OF EVENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS 7HEN ) PRESENTED MY ,ETTERS OF #REDENCE TO +ING "AUDOUIN OF "ELGIUM HE HAD QUESTIONED ME ABOUT 3INGAPORE (E WAS MUCH LOVED BY HIS TWO POPULATIONS 7ALLOON AND &LEMISH WHO WERE &RENCH AND $UTCH SPEAKING RESPECTIVELY !T THE FAREWELL AUDIENCE FOUR YEARS LATER HE SAID h7E HAVE SOME TIME TOGETHER 7E CAN EXCHANGE PLEASANTRIES OR YOU CAN TELL ME ABOUT MY COUNTRYv 3O WE HAD AN EARNEST EXCHANGE ABOUT "ELGIUM &ROM "RUSSELS ) WAS ACCREDITED AS 3INGAPORES lRST !MBASSADOR TO THE (OLY 3EE 4HE 6ATICAN 7HEN 0OPE *OHN 0AUL )) RECEIVED ME ONE ON ONE HE HAD JUST RECOVERED FROM THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT BY THE 4URKISH GUNMAN (E OPENED AN ATLAS AND ASKED ME TO POINT OUT MY COUNTRY AND TELL HIM ABOUT IT ) DID AND ALSO IN REGARD TO !3%!. 4HEN ) ASKED HIM ABOUT HIS COUNTRY 0OLAND AND THE %AST %UROPEAN BLOC FOR HE WAS NOT ONLY THE lRST NON )TALIAN 0OPE IN OVER YEARS BUT ALSO THE lRST FROM A COMMUNIST COUNTRY (E SPOKE IN CLEAR IF
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ACCENTED %NGLISH ) HAD BEEN TOLD THAT AUDIENCES WITH HIM USUALLY LASTED lVE TO TEN MINUTES BUT HE GAVE ME HALF AN HOUR )N THE 3INGAPORE 'ENERAL %LECTIONS WERE HELD !FTER YEARS AS -0 OF WHICH EIGHT HAD BEEN SPENT AS AN AMBASSADOR OVERSEAS ) DID NOT STAND FOR THE ELECTION AND INSTEAD JOINED -&! AS A CAREER AMBASSADOR ) BELIEVE THAT ) AM THE ONLY POLITICIAN WHO BECAME A CIVIL SERVANT ITS MORE USUAL FOR A CIVIL SERVANT TO BECOME A POLITICIAN
5332 )N ) WAS APPOINTED AS 3INGAPORE !MBASSADOR TO THE 5332 4HE #OMMUNIST 0ARTYS 'ENERAL 3ECRETARY -IKHAIL 'ORBACHEV WHO HELD NO STATE POSITION SURPRISED US AT HIS .EW 9EAR RECEPTION BY SHOWING OFF HIS FAMILIARITY WITH OUR REGIONAL GROUPING 4HEN WE SURPRISED HIM BY ASKING TO HAVE A GROUP PHOTO WITH HIM h$O WE HAVE A CAMERA v HE ASKED #AMERAS WERE NOT ALLOWED FOR SECURITY REASONS "UT WE HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED AND MY WIFE 0ATRICIA HAD BROUGHT HER LITTLE *APANESE CAMERA IN HER HANDBAG AND SO THE !3%!. &IVE HAD THEIR PICTURE TAKEN WITH THE HEAD OF THE SO CALLED h%VIL %MPIREv )N -OSCOW ) VISITED THE #OMMUNIST 0ARTYS HEADQUARTERS WHICH SURPRISED MY 3OVIET FRIENDS AS NO 3INGAPORE AMBASSADOR BEFORE ME HAD DONE SO )N -OSCOW DIPLOMATS WORKED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE WERE BUGGED ) WAS TOLD THAT MY PREDECESSORS HAD TURNED UP THE RADIO TURNED ON THE TAP OR mUSHED THE TOILET TO MASK THE VOICES ENGAGED IN INFORMATION EXCHANGE ) HAD DIFlCULTY IMAGINING WHOM )D INVITE TO THE TOILET (OWEVER THE BIGGER EMBASSIES USED hBUBBLESv WHICH WERE BUG PROOF ! TYPICAL ONE WOULD BE A DOUBLE LAYERED TRANSPARENT PLASTIC BOX ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SHIPPING CONTAINER BOX WITH MUSIC PIPED IN BETWEEN THE LAYERS TO DEFEAT WOULD BE ELECTRONIC EAVESDROPPERS 4HE DIPLOMATS WOULD SIT ON TRANSPARENT CHAIRS AT
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a transparent table. At most a pencil and a sheet of paper could be brought in but certainly not a brief-case. Whenever I wanted to discuss anything of a sensitive nature, my American, British, German or Japanese colleagues would lead me into their bubbles. Strangely the Chinese embassy had no such apparatus. I enquired why not. “Because no Soviet citizen is allowed to step foot into our Embassy.” I discovered that was true of practically all the embassies of the “fraternal” communist countries. They brought all their staff from home. The New Zealand ambassador and I worked out a way to overcome our lack of the Russian language. Things were moving quickly. Gorbachev had just come to power and he was pushing Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness). There was an expectation of change but also restiveness in some of the 15 republics of the multi-ethnic Soviet Union. The two of us invited the Norwegian ambassador and Finnish and Japanese Number Twos, all of whom spoke and read Russian, to meet with us at least once a month for an hour to review events and share perspectives over tea or coffee and biscuits. As Ambassador in Moscow, I met with Viktor Geraschenko, who was a valuable friend in my efforts to promote economic relations between our two countries. He was head of the Foreign Trade Bank and had headed the Moscow Narodny Bank in Singapore. He invited a delegation of the Association of Banks of Singapore (ABS) headed by Wong Nang Jang. It turned out that all but two of them had, at one time or another, been my colleagues in Citibank! Geraschenko knew them all.
Egypt In 1990 I arrived at my last post, Egypt, the largest Arab country. It was an exciting time because the unheard-of happened: one Arab state, Iraq, invaded and occupied another, Kuwait. Foreign leaders
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mEW IN DROVES INTO #AIRO 4O KEEP UP ) TEAMED UP WITH MY )NDIAN COLLEAGUE TO FORM A SMALL GROUP BUT SO MANY COLLEAGUES ASKED TO JOIN THAT OURS BECAME NOT SO MUCH AS MEETINGS BUT AS BRIElNGS FOLLOWED BY 1! ON THE SITUATION IN )RAQ ) FORMED ANOTHER GROUP WITH MY !USTRALIAN COLLEAGUE WHICH CONTINUED TO MEET EVEN AFTER THE 'ULF 7AR ) READ UP ABOUT THE h-USLIM FUNDAMENTALISTv ISSUE AND CALLED PERIODICALLY ON THE 3ECURITY -INISTER HIMSELF A DEVOUT -USLIM ) ALSO CALLED ON THE TITULAR HEAD OF THE -USLIM "ROTHERHOOD WHICH ALLEGEDLY PROMOTED -USLIM FUNDAMENTALISM (E WAS QUITE DRAMATIC h%VEN AS ) SPEAK TO YOU ) COULD BE ARRESTEDv ) INFORMED HIM THAT AS A DIPLOMAT ) COULD NOT BE ARRESTED 4HE VISIT PASSED WITHOUT INCIDENT ) BECAME INTERESTED IN %GYPTS ECONOMIC PROBLEMS )T USED TO BE A RICH COUNTRY WHICH PRESENTED TO THE THEN POOR 3AUDI !RABIAN KINGDOM THE BLACK SILK COVERING OF )SLAMS HOLIEST SHRINE THE +AABA "UT FOR MANY YEARS %GYPT HAD DEPENDED ON AID ESPECIALLY FROM 3AUDI !RABIA SOMETIMES JUST TO BUY THE NECESSARY WHEAT FOR ITS PEOPLE (OW COULD IT GET OUT OF ITS POVERTY TRAP ) MET PERIODICALLY WITH THE 7ORLD "ANK REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISCUSSIONS ) ALSO GATHERED A SMALL GROUP COMPRISING THE NEW )NDIAN LADY AMBASSADOR CONCERNED %GYPTIAN INTELLECTUALS AN !MERICAN TRAINED ECONOMIST WHO WAS NAMED AS A POSSIBLE PRIME MINISTER A PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE IN !L !ZHAR 5NIVERSITY WHO WAS DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH CULTURE AND A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSWOMAN 7E TRIED TO ANALYZE %GYPTS PROBLEMS AND HOW THEY COULD BE TACKLED FOR EXAMPLE HOW TO ATTRACT BACK THE REPUTED 53 BILLION BELONGING TO %GYPTIANS WHICH STAYED OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY &ROM #AIRO ) WAS ACCREDITED TO 9UGOSLAVIA ANOTHER MULTI ETHNIC COUNTRY ) REPORTED ON ITS UNRAVELLING -Y $UTCH COLLEAGUE WHOSE COUNTRY HELD THE %# 0RESIDENCY INVITED ME TO DINNER AT HOME TOGETHER WITH HIS "RITISH COLLEAGUE WHOSE FORMER &OREIGN -INISTER ,ORD #ARRINGTON WAS THE %# MEDIATOR IN 9UGOSLAVIA 4HEIR WIVES TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD HARDLY SEEN THEIR HUSBANDS FOR WEEKS 3O THE
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lVE OF US ALL DRANK LOTS AT DINNER 4HEN THE PHONE CALLS STARTED TO COME IN ) WAS LEFT WITH THE TWO LADIES 4HEIR $EFENCE !DVISERS THEN TURNED UP TO CONSULT WITH THE !MBASSADORS ) OFFERED TO LEAVE -Y TERM IN #AIRO CAME TO AN END AND ) RETURNED TO 3INGAPORE ) HAD BEEN CONTINUOUSLY ABROAD FOR YEARS TO ) HAD NEVER SERVED -&! AT HOME
#ONCLUSION ) HAD BEEN !MBASSADOR RESIDENT IN A TOTAL OF lVE CAPITALS AND REPRESENTED 3INGAPORE IN A TOTAL OF COUNTRIES OR JURISDICTIONS IN YEARS ) AM PROUD AND HONOURED TO HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE AND TO SERVE )T WAS VERY MUCH A CASE OF hON THE JOB TRAININGv IN THOSE EARLY DAYS &ORTUNATELY THERE ARE INVARIABLY MORE TEACHERS THAN STUDENTS IF ONE ISNT TOO PROUD TO LEARN ) MYSELF LEARNT FROM THOSE WHO HAD SERVED BEFORE ME FELLOW ACADEMICS 7ONG ,IN +EN -AURICE "AKER AND !NG +OK 0ENG FROM MY %MBASSY COLLEAGUES FROM FOREIGN DIPLOMATS FROM THINK TANKS AND FROM BOOKS 4O ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES ONE SHOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE SOMETHING OF ONES SELF AND INTERESTS ) LEVERAGED ON HAVING HELD A FEW JOBS AS HISTORIAN POLITICIAN AND BANKER AND HOLDING MANY ACCREDITATIONS )T ALSO HELPS TO BE INTERESTED IN OTHER PEOPLE AND THEIR CONCERNS ) COLLECTED THE #6S OF ABOUT COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS WHOM ) CULTIVATED IN EACH CAPITAL IN WHICH ) RESIDED ) ENTERTAINED AT HOME MOST OF THE TIME SERVING 3INGAPORE FOOD WHICH SEEMED TO GO DOWN WELL ) HAD TWO GOOD COOKS IN MY WIFE AND MY HOUSEKEEPER 7ARM PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS MADE EACH POSTING MORE REWARDING AND ENJOYABLE /UR -&! HAS GROWN SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN )T HAS BECOME MORE PROFESSIONAL AS MORE OFlCERS ARE TRAINED AT HOME AND ABROAD )T RELIES MUCH LESS ON AMATEURS "UT CERTAIN THINGS WILL NOT CHANGE
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/UR EMBASSIES WILL BE SMALL COMPARED WITH THOSE OF COUNTRIES WITH LARGER POPULATIONS AND MORE RESOURCES AND RELATIVE TO WHAT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO ACCOMPLISH "UT WE ARE NOT UNIQUE IN THIS RESPECT COMPARED TO ,UXEMBOURG #YPRUS !USTRALIA AND .EW :EALAND AMONG OTHERS 4HE CHALLENGES FACING 3INGAPORE HAVE CHANGED !3%!. HAS CHANGED -OST OF THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS CHANGED ESPECIALLY AFTER h v 3EPTEMBER (OWEVER OUR -&! REMAINS AN EXCITING MINISTRY IN WHICH TO WORK AND THE WORLD REMAINS OUR OYSTER
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! 3OLDIER IN $IPLOMACY ,IEUTENANT 'ENERAL 2ETD 7INSTON #(// 7EE ,EONG ENLISTED INTO THE 3INGAPORE -ILITARY &ORCES IN $ECEMBER )N HE WAS COMMISSIONED AS 3ECOND ,IEUTENANT IN THE 3INGAPORE )NFANTRY 2EGIMENT )N !UGUST HE WAS SELECTED TO SERVE THE 0RESIDENT OF THE 2EPUBLIC OF 3INGAPORE AS HIS !IDE DE #AMP !FTER SERVING AS A "RIGADE #OMMANDER WITH THE RANK OF #OLONEL IN HE WAS POSTED TO THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE WHERE HE HELD SEVERAL SENIOR APPOINTMENTS BEFORE BECOMING THE #HIEF OF THE 'ENERAL 3TAFF IN (E WAS PROMOTED TO "RIGADIER 'ENERAL IN -AJOR 'ENERAL IN AND ,IEUTENANT 'ENERAL IN (IS POST WAS GIVEN THE NEW TITLE OF #HIEF OF $EFENCE &ORCE IN -AY AND HE RETIRED FROM SERVICE IN 'ENERAL #HOO WENT ON TO SERVE AS 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO !USTRALIA AND &IJI FROM -ARCH TO *UNE (E IS CURRENTLY 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO THE )NDEPENDENT 3TATE OF 0APUA .EW 'UINEA AND TO THE 2EPUBLIC OF 3OUTH !FRICA RESIDENT IN 3INGAPORE 'ENERAL #HOO RECEIVED MANY DISTINGUISHED HONOURS AND AWARDS FROM THE 'OVERNMENT OF 3INGAPORE !3%!. COUNTRIES 5NITED 3TATES OF !MERICA 2EPUBLIC OF +OREA 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA 4AIWAN &RANCE AND #HILE (E ALSO SERVES ON THE BOARDS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMPANIES AND IS NOW THE #HAIRMAN OF THE 3INGAPORE 2ED #ROSS 3OCIETY
ROWING UP ) ALWAYS WANTED TO BE IN UNIFORM WHETHER IN THE POLICE OR MILITARY ) ENJOYED THE DISCIPLINE AND THE OUTDOOR LIFE )N THE END ) ENLISTED TO BECOME A SOLDIER -Y lRST THOUGHT ON BECOMING A SOLDIER WAS THAT ) DID NOT HAVE TO STUDY ANYMORE !S IT TURNED OUT WHILE IN MILITARY SERVICE ) NEVER STOPPED STUDYING ) RECEIVED MY TRAINING IN -ALAYSIA %NGLAND AND IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE 5NITED 3TATES $IPLOMACY WAS ALSO NOT ON MY MIND WHEN ) STARTED OUT (OWEVER VERY EARLY ON IN MY CAREER ) FOUND ) COULD NOT RUN AWAY FROM PRACTISING DIPLOMACY 7HEN 3INGAPORE BECAME INDEPENDENT IN ) WAS APPOINTED !IDE DE #AMP !$# TO 0RESIDENT 9USOF )SHAK ) WAS THE lRST MILITARY !$# TO THE 0RESIDENT 4HIS WAS MY lRST INTRODUCTION TO
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THE ART OF DIPLOMACY 0ART OF THE !$#S JOB WAS TO MANAGE RELATIONS WITH DIPLOMATS AND IMPORTANT PEOPLE ) LITERALLY STUMBLED INTO IT
-ILITARY $IPLOMACY ,ATER ON WHEN ) BECAME THE #HIEF OF THE $EFENCE &ORCES #$& PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS THE #HIEF OF THE 'ENERAL 3TAFF IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION MEANT THAT ) WAS ENGAGED IN DIPLOMACY WHILE STILL A SOLDIER )N THE EARLY DAYS OF THE 3INGAPORE !RMED &ORCES IT WAS LIKE A MINI 5. 7E HAD ADVISERS FROM )SRAEL WHO WORKED WITH THE !RMY "RITISH ADVISERS WORKING WITH THE !IR &ORCE .EW :EALAND ADVISERS WORKING WITH THE .AVY AND THE 53 ADVISERS SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR MILITARY LOGISTICS CAPABILITY ) HAD TO BUILD GOOD RELATIONS WITH EACH GROUP OF ADVISERS AND USE DIFFERENT STYLES TO WORK WITH THEM 3OME WERE INFORMAL WHEREAS OTHERS PREFERRED A MORE FORMAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP !S A #$& WITH THE RANK OF #OLONEL ONE OF THE FOREIGN ADVISERS OUTRANKED ME AS HE WAS A "RIGADIER 'ENERAL (OWEVER AS HE SERVED IN THE CAPACITY OF AN ADVISER TO THE #$& MY POST WAS SENIOR TO HIS #IRCUMSTANCES SOON MADE ME FAMILIAR WITH KNOWING WHEN ) SHOULD RESPECT HIS SENIORITY AND WHEN TO STAND MY GROUND -Y BIGGEST CHALLENGE WAS TO DEVELOP A MILITARY TO MILITARY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE !3%!. NEIGHBOURS IN PARTICULAR WITH MY COUNTERPARTS IN THE -ALAYSIAN AND )NDONESIAN !RMED &ORCES !S -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA ARE 3INGAPORES IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOURS IT MEANT THAT THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLOSER TIES BUT THE PROXIMITY ALSO BROUGHT FRICTION FROM TIME TO TIME !T THAT TIME A COMMON FACTOR THAT 3INGAPORE HAD WITH MANY OF THE !3%!. MEMBERS WAS THAT 3INGAPORE FORCES TRAINED IN THESE COUNTRIES 3INGAPORE FORCES WERE TRAINING IN "UTTERWORTH -ALAYSIA 4EMBURONG "RUNEI +ANCHANABURI 4HAILAND #LARKE !IRBASE 0HILIPPINES AND 0EKAN "ARU )NDONESIA 4HUS IT WAS CRITICAL THAT GOOD RELATIONS AMONG THE MILITARY FORCES OF THESE COUNTRIES WERE MAINTAINED (AVING ONES
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TROOPS STATIONED IN OTHER COUNTRIES MEANT THAT WE HAD TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP ) SHOULD HIGHLIGHT THAT IN THE EIGHTIES THE MILITARY FORCES PLAYED A DOMINANT ROLE IN THE DOMESTIC POLITICS OF MANY OF THE !3%!. COUNTRIES 4HEREFORE IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE MILITARY WERE KEPT ON AN EVEN KEEL SO THAT THE MILITARY WOULD NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE FRAY
-ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA -AINTAINING GOOD AND CLOSE TIES WITH OUR NEIGHBOURING FORCES BROUGHT ME INTO CLOSE CONTACT WITH MY COUNTERPARTS 'ENERAL -OHAMED (ASHIM BIN -OHD !LI OF -ALAYSIA AND 'ENERAL "ENNY -URDANI OF )NDONESIA 4HEY WERE VERY MUCH SENIOR TO ME BY AGE AND EXPERIENCE (OWEVER ) USED MY YOUTH TO MY ADVANTAGE !S A YOUNGER #$& IT ALLOWED ME TO CREATE AN IMPRESSION THAT ) WAS FRIENDLY YOUNGER AND HENCE HARMLESS AND OCCASIONALLY REACTED IN A RASH AND BRASH MANNER BUT WAS THEN FORGIVEN )T WAS FORTUITOUS THAT ) HAD STUDIED IN THE -ALAYSIAN -ILITARY #OLLEGE HENCE ) WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE -ALAY LANGUAGE AND THE -ALAYSIAN MINDSET ) HAD KNOWN MANY OF MY -ALAYSIAN COUNTERPARTS FROM THE #OLLEGE AND TILL THIS DAY WE STILL KEEP IN TOUCH -Y MOTHER WHO IS )NDONESIAN #HINESE GAVE ME MY ABILITY TO SPEAK mUENT "AHASA )NDONESIA (ENCE ) COULD CONVERSE WITH THE 'ENERALS IN A COMFORTABLE MIX OF %NGLISH AND "AHASA 4HIS HELPED ME TO DEVELOP A GOOD RAPPORT WITH THEM )T WAS BECAUSE OF THEIR COMFORT LEVEL WITH ME THAT THEY OFTEN TOOK ME INTO THEIR CONlDENCE AND WE COULD SPEAK FREELY IN PRIVATE THEREBY REDUCING ANY MISUNDERSTANDING /UR MILITARY TRAINING ALSO PROVIDED US WITH A COMMON FRAMEWORK FROM WHICH WE COULD WORK 7HAT ) FOUND DIFlCULT IN MY DEALINGS WAS ESTABLISHING A NON CONFRONTATIONAL WAY TO GET A STRONG 3INGAPORE MESSAGE ACROSS ) OFTEN HAD TO lND ANALOGIES TO MAKE MY POINT IN AN OBLIQUE MANNER 3OCIALISING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN AN INFORMAL SETTING IS KEY TO CREATING GOOD BILATERAL MILITARY RELATIONS 3INGAPORE HELD BILATERAL
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GAMES WITH )NDONESIA AND -ALAYSIA 4HIS GAVE US A FOUNDATION FOR GOOD WORKING RELATIONS ) AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE EXCHANGES STILL CONTINUE AND HAVE DEEPENED THROUGH THE YEARS &ROM MY EXPERIENCE GETTING TOGETHER SOCIALLY CAN GO A LONG WAY IN BUILDING GOOD RELATIONS
0ARACHUTED INTO THE 3YSTEM 7HEN ) RETIRED AS #$& ) WAS ASKED IF ) WOULD LIKE TO BE AN AMBASSADOR !S ) HAD SPENT A LOT OF TIME AWAY FROM HOME ) WANTED SOME TIME IN 3INGAPORE (ENCE ) DECLINED THE lRST INVITATION 4WO YEARS INTO RETIREMENT WHEN ) WAS SERVING AS #HAIRMAN OF #HARTERED )NDUSTRIES AND THE $EPUTY #HAIRMAN OF THE #ENTRAL 0ROVIDENT &UND "OARD ) WAS AGAIN INVITED TO BECOME A DIPLOMAT ) AGAIN DECLINED 7HEN THEY ASKED IF ) WOULD BE 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO !USTRALIA ) THOUGHT ) SHOULD NOT DECLINE A THIRD TIME ) ACCEPTED BECAUSE !USTRALIA WAS NOT TOO FAR AWAY ) HAD FRIENDS THERE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THERE WERE NO DIRECT mIGHTS INTO #ANBERRA WHICH MEANT THAT ) WOULD NOT BE ON AIRPORT DUTY TOO FREQUENTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN THE mIGHTS INTO 3YDNEY FROM 3INGAPORE ARRIVED AT THE UNEARTHLY HOUR OF SIX IN THE MORNING ) WAS VERY CONSCIOUS THAT !USTRALIA WAS ONE OF THE PRIZED POSTINGS AND BY MY ACCEPTANCE ) HAD POSSIBLY DENIED A CAREER DIPLOMAT HIS OR HER TURN FOR THAT POSTING (ENCE ) MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT WOULD BE THE ONE AND ONLY FULL TIME APPOINTMENT AND THAT ) WOULD NOT BE IN THE WAY OF THE CAREER OFlCERS FOR THEIR FUTURE ASSIGNMENTS ) WAS RELIEVED THAT THE DECLARATION OF MY INTENT HELPED MY ACCEPTANCE BY OTHERS IN THE -INISTRY
!USTRALIA &ITTING INTO !USTRALIA WAS EASY ) HAD MANY FRIENDS FROM MY PREVIOUS CAREER 7ITHIN THE lRST WEEK OF MY ARRIVAL ) ARRANGED TO HAVE A
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BARBECUE TO GET TOGETHER WITH OLD FRIENDS ) TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO RE ESTABLISH CONTACT AND EXPAND MY NETWORK )T WORKED OUT EXTREMELY WELL &OR THOSE OF US WHO HAD A PREVIOUS CAREER BEFORE DIPLOMACY OUR NETWORKS ARE AN ASSET 7ITH !USTRALIANS BEING FRANK AND FORTHRIGHT ARE VIRTUES 9OU NEED TO BE WILLING TO GIVE AS HARD AS YOU GET 0EOPLE QUIPPED THAT THE !USTRALIANS WERE SOMETIMES MASOCHISTIC IN THEIR FOREIGN RELATIONS 4HE MORE ANOTHER COUNTRY DISLIKED THEM THE HARDER THEY WOULD WORK TO GET CLOSE TO THEM ) WAS HAPPY TO NOTE THAT THROUGH THE -ISSIONS EFFORTS DURING MY TOUR WE COULD FURTHER DEEPEN THE BILATERAL RELATIONS AND INSTITUTIONALISE THEM 4HE SIGNING OF THE NEW PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT MEANT THAT THERE WOULD BE REGULAR MINISTERIAL SENIOR OFlCIAL AND BUSINESS EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
(ONESTY IS A 'OOD 0OLICY -INISTER -ENTOR ,EE +UAN 9EW THEN 3ENIOR -INISTER WAS GOING TO MAKE A VISIT TO !USTRALIA IN THE SECOND WEEK AFTER MY ARRIVAL ) WAS STILL LIVING OUT OF MY SUITCASE AND ) HAD TO ORGANISE HIS PROGRAMME WITHOUT HAVING PRESENTED MY CREDENTIALS YET )T WAS GOOD THAT THE !USTRALIANS ARE QUITE EASY GOING PEOPLE AND ) WAS GIVEN ACCESS TO THE MINISTRIES +ISHORE -AHBUBANI WHO WAS 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY AT -&! WAS GOOD FRIENDS WITH -ICHAEL #OSTELLO HIS COUNTERPART IN !USTRALIA 4HIS ALSO HELPED TO EXPEDITE MATTERS 0RIOR TO HIS ARRIVAL -- ,EE HAD SENT ONE OF HIS SPEECHES FOR THE -ISSIONS COMMENTS (E HAD PLANNED TO REFER TO THE FREQUENCY OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN !USTRALIA !S IT WAS MORE THAN lVE YEARS SINCE HIS LAST VISIT ) BRIEFED HIM THAT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE SO HE REMOVED THE COMMENTS 7HEN HE ARRIVED AND WE WERE LOOKING OUT OF HIS HOTEL ROOM WINDOW ONTO $ARLING (ARBOUR THERE WAS A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE GATHERED -- ,EE TURNED TO ME AND ASKED WHAT IT WAS ) WAS TRUTHFUL AND TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS A STRIKE -- ,EE THEN QUESTIONED ME WHY ) HAD TOLD HIM TO REMOVE HIS COMMENTS AND )
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EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS AN ABERRATION RATHER THAN THE NORM (E ACCEPTED MY EXPLANATION ) SURVIVED $URING -- ,EES VISIT WE HAD ARRANGED A DINNER AT THE HOTEL 7E WERE READY TO SERVE HIM HIS REGULAR BEER WHEN -- ,EE TURNED AROUND AND ASKED ME TO RECOMMEND A GOOD !USTRALIAN BEER FOR HIM TO TRY "EING THE NEW BOY IN TOWN ) WAS NONE THE WISER ) HAD SEEN h4OOHEYS "LUEv ADVERTISED AND ASKED THE WAITER TO SERVE IT TO -- ,EE -- ,EE HAD A SIP AND SAID THAT ) HAD RECOMMENDED HIM A BITTER BEER INSTEAD ) QUICKLY ASKED THE WAITER TO CHANGE IT 7HEN THE FOOD ARRIVED -- ,EE WANTED TO TRY A GOOD !USTRALIAN WINE (AVING LEARNT FROM MY lRST ENCOUNTER THAT EVENING ) WALKED TO THE SOMMELIER AND PAID HIM A DOLLAR TIP AND TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD BETTER SERVE A GOOD WINE TO US 4HE SOMMELIER EARNED HIS TIP /N ANOTHER OCCASION AT THE HEIGHT OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY 0AULINE (ANSON A GROUP OF 3INGAPORE MINISTERS INCLUDING THE &OREIGN -INISTER WERE VISITING !USTRALIA !N !USTRALIAN TELEVISION JOURNALIST WANTED TO INTERVIEW ME ) THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE THE PROlLE OF THE VISIT !FTER TWO QUESTIONS THEY DROPPED THE QUESTION OF 0AULINE (ANSON AND HER REMARKS ON ME 4HE JOURNALIST WANTED TO USE MY COMMENTS TO MAKE SOME POINTS AGAINST THE !USTRALIAN GOVERNMENT 4HANKFULLY ) HAD THE &IRST 3ECRETARY SITTING IN WITH ME DURING THE INTERVIEW WITH A TAPE RECORDER 9OU COULD IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN THE SEVEN OCLOCK NEWS THAT EVENING REPORTED THAT THE 3INGAPORE (IGH #OMMISSIONER HAD WARNED OF ECONOMIC REPRISALS FOR (ANSONS COMMENTS 4HIS WAS WIDELY REPORTED ) STILL REMEMBER -INISTER *AYAKUMARS FACE WHEN HE SAW ME UPON ARRIVAL AND ASKED ME WHAT ) HAD DONE !RMED WITH MY RECORDING OF THE INTERVIEW ) EXPLAINED THAT ) WAS MISQUOTED AND THAT THE !USTRALIAN MEDIA WOULD BE ASKING HIM THE SAME QUESTIONS TO WHICH ) PROPOSED THAT HE COULD SAY THAT h-Y (IGH #OMMISSIONER HAS SAID IT ALL ) HAVE NOTHING TO ADDv (E AND THE OTHER MINISTERS USED THE LINE THROUGHOUT THEIR STAY AND IT WORKED 4HE MORAL OF THESE THREE INCIDENTS IS THAT IT IS BETTER TO OWN UP RATHER THAN TO COVER UP FOR OUR MISTAKES MAKE THE BEST OF THE
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SITUATION QUICKLY AND NIP THE PROBLEM IN THE BUD ) WAS GRATEFUL THAT MY TOUR DID NOT END WITH THE -- ,EES VISIT OR THE MEDIA INTERVIEW
-ISTAKEN FOR A +OREAN 'ENERAL 7HEN ) WAS MAKING MY INTRODUCTORY TOUR ) HAD TO CALL ON THE 0REMIERS AND 'OVERNORS OF THE RESPECTIVE STATES /NE SUCH VISIT WAS THE CALL ON 'ENERAL 3IR 0HILIP "ENNETT THEN 'OVERNOR OF 4ASMANIA !S WE WERE ALSO PERSONAL FRIENDS 3IR 0HILIP HAD INVITED ME AND MY WIFE +ATHERINE TO STAY AT THE OFlCIAL RESIDENCE 5PON ARRIVAL AT (OBART WITH MY &IRST 3ECRETARY WE WAITED FOR 3IR 0HILIPS 0ROTOCOL OFlCER WHO NEVER ARRIVED 7HEN WE CALLED THE OFlCER SHE SAID SHE HAD THE (IGH #OMMISSIONER WITH HER IN THE CAR 4HE OFlCER HAD MISTAKENLY RECEIVED THE +OREAN COUPLE WHO WERE ON THE SAME mIGHT AS US AND THE MAN WAS A RETIRED 'ENERAL TOO 3IR 0HILIP AND ,ADY "ENNETT WERE VERY SURPRISED WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE COUPLE AT THEIR DOORSTEP ONLY TO lND A VERY MUCH OLDER AND DIFFERENT LOOKING 7INSTON #HOO ) WAS VERY AMUSED BY THE INCIDENT 4HE 0ROTOCOL OFlCE IN 4ASMANIA WAS VERY APOLOGETIC ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND HAD SUGGESTED THAT AN OFlCIAL NOTE BE SENT SO THAT THEY COULD TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION 4HE NOTE WAS NEVER SENT 7HERE POSSIBLE WE CAN BE MAGNANIMOUS AND HELP THE BUREAUCRATS
4EAMWORK /NE THING THAT MY WIFE AND ) MADE AN EFFORT AT WAS TO BRING THE TEAM TOGETHER AT THE -ISSION !S ALL OF US WERE AWAY FROM HOME IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE WORKED WELL TOGETHER 4HE lRST THING ) DID WAS INSTITUTING A WEEKLY MEETING WHERE THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM DIFFERENT AGENCIES AT THE -ISSION WOULD UPDATE EACH OTHER ON THEIR WORK 4HE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION MADE THE WORK MORE EFlCIENT 4HE SECOND THING WAS MAKING SURE THAT WE SPENT TIME TOGETHER
7INSTON #HOOINDD
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8JOTUPO $IPP
+ATHERINE WAS VERY GOOD AT BRINGING THEM TOGETHER 7E MADE SURE THAT WE CELEBRATED EVERYONES BIRTHDAYS INCLUDING THEIR KIDS WITH POTLUCK DINNERS LUNCHES AND HIGH TEAS AT THE RESIDENCE !S THE STAFF WERE MY CHILDRENS AGE WE BECAME hPARENTSv TO THEM ) MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT ) HAD NO QUALMS ABOUT SENDING BACK PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WORK TOGETHER ) AM GREGARIOUS BY NATURE AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH EACH OTHER
"EING 4RUE TO 9OURSELF $IPLOMACY IS ABOUT PEOPLE RELATING TO PEOPLE )F YOU ARE NOT GREGARIOUS AND NOT COMFORTABLE WITH PEOPLE THEN A DIPLOMATS LIFE IS NOT FOR YOU 9OU MUST BE WILLING TO REACH OUT AND LEARN ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND THE CULTURES YOU WORK WITH "E OPEN AND FRIENDLY ENGAGE THEM SO THAT YOU CAN DEVELOP A COMFORTABLE WORKING RELATIONSHIP -OST IMPORTANTLY BE TRUTHFUL TO YOURSELF $O NOT THINK THAT YOU ARE ACCEPTED AND LIKED WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY NOT )F YOU ARE NOT GETTING ON WELL BE AWARE OF IT SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO CHANGE THE SITUATION AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU TRY TO OVERCOME THAT WEAKNESS
7INSTON #HOOINDD
!-
,IFE IN THE &ORMER 5332 -R *OSEPH & #/.#%)#!/ BECAME A -EMBER OF 0ARLIAMENT IN $URING THIS PERIOD HE SERVED IN TWO 0ARLIAMENTARY #OMMITTEES 0UBLIC !CCOUNTS AND %STIMATES /UTSIDE OF 0ARLIAMENT HE HAD SERVED ON THE !DULT %DUCATION "OARD THE 0EOPLES !SSOCIATION .ATIONAL -USEUM "OARD AND OTHERS )N HE JOINED THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE (E SERVED AS !MBASSADOR TO THE 3OVIET 5NION IN -OSCOW FROM *ULY TO !PRIL CONCURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO &INLAND (UNGARY 2OMANIA 0OLAND AND "ULGARIA !MBASSADOR TO )NDONESIA IN *AKARTA FROM !PRIL TO /CTOBER (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO !USTRALIA IN #ANBERRA FROM *ANUARY TO *UNE CONCURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO &IJI AND !MBASSADOR TO THE 3OVIET 5NION IN -OSCOW FROM *ULY TO &EBRUARY (E RETIRED FROM THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE IN
EVENTEEN YEARS AS !MBASSADOR GIVES ME MUCH FOOD FOR THOUGHT 7HY IS IT THAT ) lND THE IMPRESSION OF 2USSIAN ICONS RELIGIOUS IMAGES SO STARKLY CLEAR IN MY MIND #ERTAINLY AS A #HRISTIAN AND LIKING ART THE ICON IMPACTED ME AT BOTH THE RELIGIOUS AND ARTISTIC LEVEL "UT COULD IT ALSO BE THAT THE ANTIQUE VALUE OF THE WELL MADE SACRED OBJECTS SADLY ATTRACTED ONE OF OUR -OSCOW STAFF TO ACCEPT PAYMENT OF THIS KIND FOR SURRENDERING THE %MBASSYS SECRETS "UT THE REALLY SAD PART WAS THAT IT WAS IMPROBABLE THAT OUR %MBASSY IN -OSCOW WOULD HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH ANY SECRETS AT ALL %VEN AT THAT TIME 3INGAPORE COULD HAVE BEEN VISUALISED AS A LITTLE RED DOT 7HEN IN THE 3OVIET 5NION ONE GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT SECRECY SEEMED TO DOMINATE LIFE AND WAS ALL PERVASIVE /FlCIALS TENDED TO OVER PLAY THE NEED FOR CONlDENTIALITY FOR FEAR OF IMPARTING SOMETHING INDISCREET !T THE LEVEL OF RELATIONS BETWEEN 3INGAPORE STAFF AND LOCAL 2USSIAN STAFF THE 2USSIANS IN THE EMPLOY OF THE %MBASSY WERE SCARED THAT A LOOSE TONGUE WOULD ATTRACT THE UNWELCOME ATTENTION OF THE SECURITY APPARATUS 4HE ATMOSPHERE BECAME MORE RELAXED WHEN
3
*OE #ONCEICAOINDD
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+PTFQI $PODFJDBP
2USSIA TOOK OVER FROM THE 3OVIET 5NION &OR EXAMPLE RELIGIOUS AFlLIATION TO THE /RTHODOX #HURCH OF COURSE BECAME MORE EASILY AND EVEN SPONTANEOUSLY DECLARED
3OVIET 5NION -Y &IRST 0OSTING AS !MBASSADOR 7HEN ) lRST BECAME !MBASSADOR ) WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 3OVIET 5NION "UT ) HAD A NUMBER OF CONCURRENT ACCREDITATIONS AS WELL lVE IN FACT "ULGARIA 2OMANIA (UNGARY 0OLAND AND &INLAND )F ) HAD TO VISIT EACH OF THESE COUNTRIES ONCE A YEAR AND LOOK AROUND AT A FEW OF THE 3OVIET NATIONALITIES THEMSELVES LIKE +AZAKHSTAN OR !RMENIA OR EVEN ANOTHER PART OF THE 2USSIAN FEDERATION LIKE THE "AIKAL REGION ) WOULD BE DOING A WHOLE LOT OF TRAVELLING
0OLAND 4O A GREAT EXTENT THAT WAS WHAT ) DID TRAVELLING "UT THE COUNTRY OF ACCREDITATION THAT LEFT THE WARMEST AND MOST PROFOUND IMPRESSION ON ME WAS 0OLAND 4HIS WAS BECAUSE OF A VISIT ) MADE THERE JUST BEFORE ) RETURNED TO 3INGAPORE TO TAKE PART IN THE ELECTIONS AS ) WAS STILL A -EMBER OF 0ARLIAMENT )T WAS AND 7OJTYLA THE 0OLISH CARDINAL ARCHBISHOP OF #RACOW HAD ONLY TWO YEARS PREVIOUSLY BEEN MADE 0OPE *OHN 0AUL )) 7OJTYLA HAD ALSO VISITED HIS BELOVED 0OLAND IN &ROM 7ARSAW MY WIFE !NITA AND ) TRAVELLED TO #RACOW +ATOWICE AND A FEW OTHER SMALLER TOWNS %VERY PLACE WE PASSED THROUGH HAD ITS HOUSING BLOCKS DECORATED WITH LONG BUNTINGS /NE TYPE WAS COLOURED WHITE AND GOLD WHICH WERE THE 6ATICAN COLOURS !NOTHER TYPE WAS RED AND WHITE WHICH WERE THE COLOURS OF THE 0OLISH mAG 4HE WHOLE OF 0OLAND WAS APPARENTLY STILL CELEBRATING THE ACCESSION OF ONE OF THEIR OWN TO THE PAPAL THRONE AND HIS RECENT VISIT TO 0OLAND "UT THERE WAS ANOTHER FEATURE 3OLIDARNOSC POSTERS COULD BE FOUND SET UP IN MANY PLACES BUT ESPECIALLY IN UNIVERSITY PRECINCTS )T WAS
*OE #ONCEICAOINDD
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-JGF JO UIF 'PSNFS 6443
A GREAT COINCIDENCE A 0OLISH PATRIOT BECOMING 0OPE AND ,ECH 7ALENSA THE TRADE UNIONIST EMERGING INTO PROMINENCE AT THE SAME TIME IN 0OLISH HISTORY 4OGETHER THEY WOULD BRING DOWN COMMUNIST RULE IN 0OLAND AND LATER HELP SIGNIlCANTLY IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE 3OVIET 5NION 0OPE *OHN 0AUL )) KNEW HIS OWN PEOPLE 4HEY WERE EARNEST 2OMAN #ATHOLICS TO THE CORE 7HEN ) VISITED A CHURCH FOR 3UNDAY MASS ) SAW DROVES OF THE FAITHFUL GOING UP TO RECEIVE (OLY #OMMUNION 0ROMINENT AMONG THEM WERE MILITARY OFlCERS MANY OF THEM OF HIGH RANK AS DISCERNED FROM THEIR INSIGNIA 7AS THIS WHY 0OPE *OHN 0AUL )) KNEW HE COULD PERSUADE THE BULK OF 0OLISH PEOPLE TO CONDUCT THEIR lGHT FOR FREEDOM IN A PEACEFUL MANNER 3O ) TRAVELLED 3TILL ) REMEMBER HOW OUR VERY lRST !MBASSADOR TO THE 3OVIET 5NION A QUITE HARDY 0 3 2AMAN COLLAPSED IN A -OSCOW UNDERGROUND AFTER WHICH ) SUCCEEDED HIM ) MYSELF WAS PULLED OUT OF -OSCOW BECAUSE OF A HEART PROBLEM FOR WHICH ) LATER NEEDED A BYPASS "UT ONE NEEDS TO TAKE CARE NOT TO BLAME ONES INlRMITIES ON A LOCATION RATHER THAN ON ONESELF 3TILL -OSCOW WAS A TOUGH POSTING ) REMEMBER THE WINTER OF WHEN TEMPERATURES DESCENDED TO MINUS DEGREES #ELSIUS 7E WELCOMED THE .EW 9EAR INSIDE OUR HOMES WRAPPED UP IN OVERCOATS AS OUR HEATING HAD BROKEN DOWN ,UCKILY IT WAS SOON RESTORED (OWEVER FROM OUR APARTMENT WE COULD SEE THE 0HILIPPINES AMBASSADOR WALKING UP AND DOWN HIS LIVING ROOM AS IF HE WAS STROLLING DOWN !RBAT 3TREET (E HAD HIS SHAPKA FUR HAT ON HIS HEAD A THICK SHAWL ROUND HIS NECK AND A HEAVY SHEEP SKIN COAT DRAPING HIS ENTIRE PERSON (IS HEATING TOO HAD BROKEN DOWN AND TOOK SOME TIME TO REPAIR
#ONCLUSION )N 2USSIA AND THE COUNTRIES ) VISITED THE THOUSAND YEAR OLD CULTURES THAT MARKED THEIR INDIVIDUALITIES STILL PRESERVED THEIR WONDERFUL
*OE #ONCEICAOINDD
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+PTFQI $PODFJDBP
COLOURING 4HE #OMMUNIST SYSTEM RAVISHED THESE COUNTRIES BUT THE lREBIRD HAD LEFT ITS BEAUTIFUL BRILLIANT AND LASTING LEGACIES 4HE 2USSIAN STORY OF THE lREBIRD TOLD OF A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY MAIDEN OUTSTANDINGLY SKILLED IN NEEDLEWORK AND EMBROIDERY (ER GENIUS RAISED THE VIOLENT JEALOUSY OF A WIZARD (E COULD NOT PERSUADE THE GIRL WITH THE RARE ACCOMPLISHMENT TO JOIN HIS ESTABLISHMENT 4HE 2USSIAN -ERLIN TURNED HIMSELF INTO A BLACK FALCON AND THE MAIDEN INTO A lREBIRD ADORNED WITH BRILLIANT COLOURFUL PLUMAGE "LACK &ALCON SEIZED "EAUTIFUL -AIDEN AND mEW ALOFT 4HE BEAUTIFUL BIRD DELIBERATELY SHED ITS FEATHERS AND PERISHED 4HE FEATHERS WAFTING TO THE GROUND BECAME HIDDEN IN SNOW ,ATER THE RAINBOW FEATHERS WERE DISCOVERED ADMIRED AND TREASURED -ANY NON 2USSIANS HAVE ALSO BEEN INSPIRED BY THIS LEGEND /UT OF DIFlCULTY COMES SALVATION AND THIS LESSON IS STILL APPLICABLE TODAY
*OE #ONCEICAOINDD
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!N !MBASSADOR IN 4RANSITION ! 4ASTE OF &RENCH $IPLOMACY -R &// -ENG 4ONG IS AN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT (E IS THE #HAIRMAN OF &ISCHER 4ECH ,TD AS WELL AS A $IRECTOR ON THE "OARDS OF SEVERAL COMPANIES IN 3INGAPORE #HINA AND )NDIA (E JOINED THE %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARD %$" IN *UNE (E SERVED AS THE 2EGIONAL $IRECTOR OF %$"S OFlCES IN %UROPE FROM TO AND IN .ORTH !MERICA FROM TO &ROM &EBRUARY HE TOOK ON THE $IVISIONAL $IRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR VARIOUS %$" OPERATING DIVISIONS )N ADDITION HE WAS CONCURRENTLY THE !DMINISTRATOR OF THE 3KILLS $EVELOPMENT &UND FROM TO "EFORE LEAVING %$" FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN HE WAS THE $IRECTOR OF THE )NDUSTRY $EVELOPMENT $IVISION AND CONCURRENTLY THE 'ENERAL -ANAGER OF %$" )NVESTMENTS 0RIVATE ,TD &ROM TO HE SERVED AS 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO &RANCE WITH CONCURRENT ACCREDITATIONS TO 3PAIN 0ORTUGAL 3WITZERLAND FROM TO AND )SRAEL FROM TO
OU HAVE TO COME TO 0ARIS AND PRESENT A COPY OF YOUR ,ETTER OF !CCREDITATION TO THE &RENCH &OREIGN -INISTRY v BOOMED THE VOICE OF OUR #HARGÏ D!FFAIRES %RIC 4EO OVER THE TELEPHONE 4HAT WAS IN EARLY &EBRUARY ) WAS NOT DUE TO TAKE UP MY POST UNTIL !PRIL THAT YEAR ) WONDERED WHY ) NEEDED TO HAND OVER A COPY OF THE DOCUMENT AS 3INGAPORE HAD ALREADY SUBMITTED A 4HIRD 0ERSON .OTE 40. IN DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES MUCH EARLIER AND THE &RENCH GOVERNMENT HAD NOT MADE ANY RESERVATION ON MY APPOINTMENT AS THE NEXT 3INGAPORE !MBASSADOR TO &RANCE h!ND YOU CANNOT DO THIS IN THE 3INGAPORE EMBASSY CHANCERY AS YOU ARE NOT ACCREDITED YET AND THUS YOU ARE NOT RECOGNISED TO HAVE AN OFlCE OR EVEN A PRESENCE HERE v CONTINUED %RIC 4EO 4HE RESIDENCE OF THE AMBASSADOR HAD NOT BEEN OCCUPIED SINCE MY PREDECESSOR RETURNED TO 3INGAPORE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE 7E HAD TO lND ANOTHER PLACE
h
9
&OO -ENG 4ONGINDD
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'PP .FOH 5POH
FOR THE &RENCH 0ROTOCOL /FlCE TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO GREET ME AND RECEIVE THE COPY OF MY ,ETTER OF !CCREDITATION 7E DECIDED ON THE APARTMENT OF %RIC 4EO
2ENDEZVOUS IN %RIC 4EOS !PARTMENT 4HUS ON A COLD DAY IN MID &EBRUARY IN AN APARTMENT IN 0ARIS ) WAS INTRODUCED TO THE WORLD OF DIPLOMACY A SPHERE INTO WHICH ) HESITATINGLY ENTERED AND IN WHICH ) HAD TO QUICKLY lND MY FEET h9OU ARE AN AMBASSADOR IN TRANSITION v REPLIED +ISHORE -AHBUBANI 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS WHEN ) INTIMATED TO HIM MY APPREHENSIONS )T THEN DAWNED ON ME THAT ) HAD TO QUICKLY MAKE A TRANSITION FROM MY PREVIOUS CAREER AND hUPBRINGINGv IN THE %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARD WHICH SPANNED YEARS TO THE WORLD OF DIPLOMACY ) HAD TO BROADEN MY FOCUS WHICH HAD BEEN ON THE BUSINESS WORLD ON THE TECHNOLOGIES AND CAPABILITIES OF MULTINATIONAL AND LOCAL COMPANIES AND ON HOW TO PERSUADE THEM TO INVEST IN 3INGAPORE -Y FOCUS NOW HAD TO INCLUDE GEO POLITICS NATIONAL INTERESTS INSTITUTIONS AND SYMBOLS USED TO PORTRAY OR PROJECT NATIONAL INTERESTS 5NDERLYING THAT ) HAD TO HAVE MORE THAN A VISITORS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY CULTURE NATIONAL INTERESTS AND THE POLITICAL INTENT OF CURRENT ACTIONS OF THE COUNTRIES TO WHICH ) WAS ACCREDITED AS THE !MBASSADOR OF 3INGAPORE ! DAUNTING CHALLENGE BUT ON REmECTION A MOST REWARDING TRANSITION
0RESENTING #REDENTIALS TO THE &RENCH 0RESIDENT -Y NEXT STEP INTO DIPLOMACY WAS THE #EREMONY FOR THE 0RESENTATION OF MY ,ETTER OF !CCREDITATION TO THE 0RESIDENT OF THE &RENCH 2EPUBLIC (AVING hARRIVEDv AS EVIDENCED BY THE RECEPTION IN %RIC 4EOS APARTMENT THE &RENCH SENT A 0ROTOCOL /FlCER A 2EPUBLICAN 'UARD
&OO -ENG 4ONGINDD
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"O "NCBTTBEPS JO 5SBOTJUJPO
FROM THE 0RESIDENTIAL 0ALACE AN OFlCIAL CAR AND TWO MOTORCYCLE ESCORTS TO FETCH ME FROM THE 3INGAPORE EMBASSY CHANCERY ON !PRIL !FTER THE CEREMONY AND THE TÐTE Ë TÐTE WITH THE &RENCH 0RESIDENT ) WAS ESCORTED TO THE SAME &RENCH OFlCIAL CAR TO TAKE ME BACK TO THE 3INGAPORE EMBASSY 4HIS TIME THE CAR WAS mYING THE 3INGAPORE mAG ) lNALLY HAD THE DUE RECOGNITION AND PRIVILEGES OF AN !MBASSADOR IN &RANCE 4HIS WOULD BE THE lRST OF MANY INSTANCES WHERE ) WOULD EXPERIENCE THE SUBTLETIES OF DIPLOMACY ) WAS FORTUNATE TO BE IN 0ARIS ONE OF THE MOST VIBRANT DIPLOMATIC CAPITALS OF THE WORLD )N PARTICULAR ) WOULD NOTICE HOW THE &RENCH VIEW DIPLOMACY AS AN ART TO BE REVERED AND WELL PRACTICED
0ERVASIVE 3ENSE OF 'REATNESS )N MY NEW WORLD OF DIPLOMACY ) WAS QUICKLY ABSORBED AND TO SOME EXTENT INTRIGUED BY &RENCH DIPLOMATIC MANOEUVRES WHICH WERE ALWAYS UNDERPINNED BY A PERVASIVE SENSE OF GREATNESS 4HE POST 77)) ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION OF &RANCE FROM A STAGNANT AND AN AGRICULTURE BASED SOCIETY INTO A LEADING INDUSTRIALISED NATION RESTORED SELF CONlDENCE AND NATIONAL PRIDE 4HERE WAS A STRONG SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT PROGRESS AND MODERNISATION 'ENERAL #HARLES DE 'AULLE STRESSED h4HERE IS AN AGE OLD PACT BETWEEN THE GREATNESS OF &RANCE AND THE LIBERTY OF THE WORLDv )T ALSO IMPRESSED UPON ME THAT AFTER THE TWO 7ORLD 7ARS AND MANY BATTLES BEFORE THAT THERE WAS A STRONG DESIRE FOR PEACE AND POLITICAL STABILITY 4HEREIN LAID THE ROOT FOR A %UROPEAN 5NION AS WELL AS RECONCILIATION WITH 'ERMANY )NVARIABLY ) SAW SIGNS AND EVEN OPEN ASSERTIONS THAT THIS IDEAL OF A %UROPEAN 5NION WAS BASED ON &RANCE AND 'ERMANY TAKING THE LEAD ROLE ) FOLLOWED WITH KEEN INTEREST EVENTS BOTH SYMBOLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL THAT ATTESTED TO THE &RANCO 'ERMAN ALLIANCE
&OO -ENG 4ONGINDD
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'PP .FOH 5POH
&RENCH ,EADERSHIP IN &ORMING !3%- AND !3%& ) SAW HOW THE &RENCH WOULD EAGERLY TAKE A LEAD ROLE IN BRINGING ABOUT A %UROPEAN 5NION %5 CONSENSUS )N /CTOBER THEN 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG ON A VISIT TO 0ARIS PROPOSED TO THE &RENCH 0RIME -INISTER A SUMMIT BETWEEN !SIA AND %UROPE 4HE !SIA %UROPE -EETING !3%- AS IT IS NOW CALLED WOULD THEN BRING TOGETHER THE LEADERS OF !SIAN COUNTRIES AND THE COUNTRIES OF THE %5 4HE &RENCH ACCEPTED THE PROPOSAL AND IMMEDIATELY PUT INTO MOTION THE NECESSARY CONSULTATIONS AMONG THE %5 MEMBER COUNTRIES %ACH TIME ) INTERACTED WITH THE &RENCH DIPLOMATS TO MOVE THE PROPOSAL ALONG ) COULD COUNT ON THEM TO HELP OVERCOME ANY RESERVATIONS IN THE %5 COUNTRIES 4HE INAUGURAL !3%- SUMMIT WAS HELD IN "ANGKOK ON ST AND ND -ARCH SLIGHTLY LESS THAN MONTHS FROM THE DAY IT WAS MOOTED IN 0ARIS /NE INITIATIVE ARISING FROM THIS SUMMIT WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE !SIA %UROPE &OUNDATION !3%& FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PEOPLES OF !SIA AND OF %UROPE 4HIS TIME THE IDEA WAS MOOTED IN 3INGAPORE WHEN &RENCH 0RESIDENT *ACQUES #HIRAC MADE A WORKING VISIT ON HIS WAY TO THE !3%- SUMMIT 4WELVE MONTHS LATER IN &EBRUARY !3%& WAS ESTABLISHED WITH ITS 3ECRETARIAT IN 3INGAPORE "OTH !3%- AND !3%& WERE BROUGHT INTO FRUITION IN A SHORT SPAN OF TIME 0ERSONALLY ) WOULD ATTRIBUTE THE AGREEMENT OF THE %5 TO THEIR ESTABLISHMENT TO THE ADEPTNESS OF AND THE LEAD ROLE PLAYED BY THE &RENCH DIPLOMATS
4HE !RT OF &RENCH $IPLOMACY ) HAD ALWAYS ENJOYED MY INTERACTIONS WITH THE &RENCH BOTH AT THE PERSONAL AND DIPLOMATIC LEVELS 7ITH THE &RENCH DIPLOMATS ) WAS MADE COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR EFFORTLESS ADHERENCE TO PROTOCOL COURTESY AND POLITENESS ) HAD NO DOUBT THAT MY INTERLOCUTORS WERE EFFECTIVELY BILINGUAL IN %NGLISH AND PROBABLY EQUALLY mUENT IN SOME
&OO -ENG 4ONGINDD
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"O "NCBTTBEPS JO 5SBOTJUJPO
OTHER LANGUAGES (OWEVER THEY WOULD USE &RENCH TO DISCUSS AND PUT ACROSS THEIR POSITIONS WITH A mOURISH OF POLITESSE AND THOUGHTFUL GESTURES /NE SUCH OCCASION REMAINS ETCHED IN MY MIND )N *UNE THE &RENCH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD EMBARK ON A lNAL SERIES OF EIGHT NUCLEAR WEAPON TESTS ) CALLED ON THE $IRECTOR FOR !SIA AND /CEANIA IN THE &RENCH &OREIGN -INISTRY TO RAISE 3INGAPORES CONCERNS AS WELL AS TO SEEK CLARIlCATIONS AND FURTHER INFORMATION !FTER WE HAD SETTLED DOWN COMFORTABLY IN HIS OFlCE HE BEGAN WITH A THOUGHTFUL LOOK AND THE CLASPING OF HIS HANDS BY REMINDING ME THAT DURING THE LAST ONE HUNDRED YEARS &RANCE WAS INVADED THREE TIMES (E THEN CONTINUED WITH THE EXPLANATION OF THE &RENCH CASE HIS ELOQUENCE PUNCTUATED BY CHANGES IN THE CLASPING OF HIS HANDS SUCH AS ROLLING ONE OVER THE OTHER OR GENTLY SQUEEZING ONE WITH THE OTHER .OW YEARS LATER ) CAN SUMMARISE HIS EXPLANATIONS BY QUOTING 0RESIDENT #HIRAC WHEN HE ANNOUNCED THE END OF THE NUCLEAR TESTS SIX INSTEAD OF EIGHT AT THE END OF *ANUARY (E SAID h4HANKS TO THE lNAL SERIES WHICH HAS JUST BEEN CARRIED OUT &RANCE WILL HAVE AT ITS DISPOSAL A VIABLE AND MODERN DEFENCE 4HE SECURITY OF OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CHILDREN IS ASSUREDv 4HE ANSWERS TO MY PROBING WERE INVARIABLY PUT ACROSS WITH ACCENTUATED POLITENESS THOUGHTFUL LOOKS AND HAND GESTURES )T HEIGHTENED MY RECOGNITION THAT ) WAS MEETING WITH A DIPLOMAT OF GREAT mAIR AND SUAVENESS ) COULD SEE THAT &RANCE WAS VERY WELL PREPARED FOR PROTESTS FROM MANY QUARTERS BUT WAS DETERMINED TO DISPLAY ITS SELF RELIANCE AND NUCLEAR DETERRENCE 5PON REmECTION ) WOULD CONCLUDE THAT THE EARLIER COMPLETION OF THE TESTS WAS PART AND PARCEL OF A PLANNED MOVE IN &RENCH DIPLOMACY
#ULTIVATING THE 3POUSES !N INTERESTING EXTENSION OF &RENCH HOSPITALITY FOR THE DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY WAS THAT SHOWN TO THE SPOUSES OF THE ACCREDITED
&OO -ENG 4ONGINDD
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'PP .FOH 5POH
!MBASSADORS 4HROUGH AN ASSOCIATION CALLED h"IENVENUE EN &RANCEv 7ELCOME TO &RANCE ACTIVITIES WERE ORGANISED TO HELP THE SPOUSES TO SETTLE IN AS WELL AS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CULTURAL LIFE OF &RANCE 4HIS ASSOCIATION WAS HEADED BY THE SPOUSE OF THE &RENCH &OREIGN -INISTER WITH THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF THE SPOUSES OF SENIOR &RENCH DIPLOMATS "ESIDES ITS ANNUAL RECEPTION AND LUNCHEONS THE ASSOCIATION OFFERED CLASSES IN COOKING PAINTING POTTERY AND THE LIKE -Y WIFE AVAILED HERSELF OF MANY OF THESE CLASSES NOT JUST TO PICK UP SOME SKILLS BUT MORE FOR THE CONVIVIALITY OF THE TEACHERS AND THE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
4RIBUTE TO "ERTHA ) WAS ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS AS MY WIFE PLAYED AN INDISPENSABLE ROLE IN MY WORLD OF DIPLOMACY 7ITH ENTHUSIASM FANNED BY HER CULTURAL ACTIVITIES SHE ENJOYED HER ROLE AS HOSTESS CHEF AND HOMEMAKER AT OUR RESIDENCE AND AS MY ACCOMPANYING SPOUSE AT THE MANY DIPLOMATIC RECEPTIONS AND DINNERS 4OGETHER WE EXPERIENCED AND RELISHED THE DIPLOMATIC LIFE IN 0ARIS
#ONCLUSION 4HE &RENCH SUSTAINED TRADITIONS AND PROTOCOL IN THEIR PRACTICE OF DIPLOMACY (OWEVER BEYOND THEIR COURTESIES AND SUAVENESS ) HAD ALSO NOTED THE SKILLS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE &RENCH DIPLOMATS 4HEY HAD AN ENVIABLE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE OF ANY ISSUE AT HAND ENCOMPASSING THE CURRENT AND HISTORICAL GEO POLITICS AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BACKDROPS 7HILE COUCHED WITH mAIR AND POLITESSE THEY WERE lRM IN THEIR VIEWS AND PERSISTENT IN THEIR DEMANDS 4HEY HAD AN AGILITY FOR CRAFTING REMARKS TO SMOOTHEN THE WAY TOWARDS THEIR OBJECTIVES ) LEFT 0ARIS AT THE END OF *UNE ) DO NOT KNOW WHEN MY TRANSITION ENDED AND MY WORK AS AN !MBASSADOR REALLY BEGUN
&OO -ENG 4ONGINDD
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"O "NCBTTBEPS JO 5SBOTJUJPO
.EVERTHELESS ) AM GRATEFUL FOR THE LESSONS LEARNT AND THE KNOWLEDGE GAINED ON THE lVE COUNTRIES TO WHICH ) WAS ACCREDITED )T TOOK ME ENDLESS READING OF NEWSPAPERS MAGAZINES AND BOOKS FOLLOWING 46 DEBATES DISCUSSING AND INTERACTING AT DINNERS AND RECEPTIONS TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THE WORLD OF DIPLOMACY A WORLD ON WHICH ) NOW LOOK BACK AND REmECT UPON WITH GREAT ADMIRATION AND PERSONAL SATISFACTION
&OO -ENG 4ONGINDD
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The Politics of Trade: Singapore and the World Trade Organisation Mr. K. KESAVAPANY is the Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. He was Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia from 1997 to 2002. He also served as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. in Geneva and concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Italy and Turkey. He was elected as the first Chairman of the General Council of the WTO when it was established in January 1995. He led the Singapore team for the Korea-Singapore FTA negotiations. He was awarded the Singapore Government Public Administration Medal (Gold) and the Long Service Medal. He was also awarded the Order of Independence (First Class) by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Chilean Presidential Medal of the Centennial of Pablo Neruda in July 2004.
On a Mission to Geneva
I
t was a quiet day in office in October 1991. I had had a good lunch at Samy’s Restaurant and was about to take a snooze when the telephone rang. On the line was Patsy, Secretary to Peter Chan, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). “PS wants to see you,’’ Patsy said. Startled from my reverie, I wondered why I was being suddenly summoned. As Peter was not known for making small talk, I knew it had to be something work-related. I went up to the 39th floor of Raffles City Towers, where the higher echelons of MFA were ensconced. Peter said that he was going to post me as Ambassador to Singapore’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in Geneva. Although pleased, as it would be my first head of mission posting, I was slightly taken aback. I had neither a background in economics, nor did I have any experience in trade negotiations. 191
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These two qualifications are normally considered essential for a posting in Geneva. Also, with the onset of globalisation and trade liberalisation, Geneva Mission had become a frontline post for Singapore’s international economic diplomacy. Peter waved my reservations away and said, “You have other attributes which will enable you to do your job well.’’ Only later was I to know what he meant. Anyway, I had a crash course on GATT issues at Headquarters and read the files containing reports from our mission. I left for Geneva in December 1991, accompanied by my wife. One of our sons was in London, and the other was in Singapore. We were sad to leave the latter behind. So began my sojourn in Geneva. It would last till March 1997. It was an interesting five and a half years. The Uruguay Round of negotiations, which had ground to a halt in late 1991, was about to recommence. I went straight into the thick of things, not the best of welcomes awaiting a person innocent of both economics and trade negotiations. Happily, I had two things going for me.
Two Strengths One was Singapore’s good standing in GATT. This was largely because of the painstaking work done by my predecessors, Chew Tai Soo and See Chak Mun. Their record gained me immediate entry into GATT’s inner circle. This was important because most of the “deal-making’’ in GATT was done in small groups outside the formal negotiating process. Major outcomes were shaped there before they were multilateralised in GATT’s General Council. Of these small groups, the “Green Room” was the most important. Consisting of about 25 ambassadors, Green Room meetings were chaired by the Director-General. It was testimony to Singapore’s standing as an important player in the international trading system that the Geneva Mission was automatically included in the Green Room process.
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My second advantage in Geneva lay in enjoying the support of a group of talented trade diplomats like Margaret Liang and Yong Siew Min. They were joined later by other colleagues, including Tan Yee Woan, Ng Bee Kim, Peter Govindaswamy, Rossman Ithnain, Joseph Teo and Siva Somasundram. These diplomats were highly accomplished and were sought after by other delegations for their expertise. With their help, I was able to acquire the technical knowledge needed to participate in the Uruguay Round negotiations.
Milestones in Geneva Setting up the Preparatory Committee Several memorable events stand out in my five-and-a-half-year stay in Geneva. The first was the conclusion of the Uruguay Round in 1995. Much of the credit must go to Peter Sutherland, who took over from Mr. Arthur Dunkell as Director-General. Mr. Dunkell, a civil servant, had done a lot of good work on the technical aspects of the negotiations, but lacked the power to knock heads together and bring the negotiations to a close. Sutherland, a former Irish Minister for Law, had the political standing to do so. Besides, with the build of a rugby player, he was not someone to trifle with! When the GATT process was going nowhere, he dragooned eight key Ambassadors, including me, into a small room and made it clear that they would not be allowed to come out until a deal had been struck. Needless to say, this tactic worked and the final elements of the package were put together in that room. With the negotiations concluded, attention moved towards the implementation of the agreement. A preparatory committee was set up and the Singapore ambassador was chosen by acclamation to be the Chairman. The committee was tasked to work on a variety of agreements, which would form the basis for setting up a World Trade Organisation (WTO), the
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successor to GATT. A ministerial meeting held in Marrakech adopted the agreements, and the WTO was born in 1995. It was satisfying that Singapore’s Mission in Geneva, ably supported by MFA and our economic agencies, had played a role in the birth of a major international organisation. Subsequently, attention was focused on the establishment of a General Council to manage, along with the Director-General, the organisation’s day-to-day affairs. The task of steering the Council in its first year fell on the Singapore ambassador, who had earlier been unanimously elected Chairman. It was a hectic period. Many things had to be put in place to ensure the transition from GATT to the WTO. In any event, it turned out to be a smooth process, thanks to the excellent assistance rendered by the WTO Secretariat, Mr. Arif Hussein in particular.
WTO in Singapore Apart from handling the transitional arrangements of the WTO, the other highlight of my one-year term as Chairman was the tabling of a proposal to hold the WTO’s first ministerial conference in Singapore. The other members all accepted the proposal when I first made it. “We want to visit Singapore,’’ they said. Back home, though, I was told that the idea was not very popular among my colleagues because it meant a lot of work! It would be the largest international conference to be held in Singapore, apart from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 1971. The venue, Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre, was not even ready. Besides, there was concern with having to deal with an increasing number of NGOs which had begun to exploit such international gatherings to make their voices heard. However, I gathered that a senior Minister had endorsed the proposal. So there was no turning back.
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An Interruption Things were going smoothly until the Michael Fay incident in 1994. Fay, an American teenager, was convicted of vandalism, which carried a sentence of caning. The news caused a furore in the United States. Washington wanted the caning to be waived. U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor, a good friend of President Bill Clinton, made the holding of the WTO conference in Singapore conditional on a satisfactory outcome of the Fay case — satisfactory to Washington. Singapore stood its ground and said that the two issues were not related. The U.S. ambassador in Geneva, Booth Gardner, was sympathetic to Singapore’s position and went to Kantor’s office on several occasions to advise against the position which the American government was taking. However, Kantor refused to listen. Since the matter had to be resolved at the WTO’s General Council, I went around mustering the support of my colleagues for Singapore’s position. I received it from all the ambassadors except for the European Union’s envoy. This envoy, on the insistence of the EU countries, suggested a compromise: the WTO’s first ministerial meeting to be held in Geneva and the second in Singapore. But Singapore stood by its position that the first meeting be held here. Since Kantor remained defiant, the issue was tabled at the final meeting of the General Council for that year. I went up to Booth Gardner and said that I was going to table the proposal. “Go ahead, Pany” he said. I wondered what he meant, but did not have long to wait to find out. When I tabled the proposal, he simply looked the other way! And it was carried. The Ministerial Conference was a nail-biting event, with a successful outcome coming only at the eleventh hour. Contrary to our concerns, the NGOs gave no trouble. This was largely because of the fair and even-handed manner that we dealt with them. Though successful, the Ministerial Conference gave birth to a number of issues that came to be called “Singapore issues’’. These issues — investment, competition, labour standards and trade facilitation —
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have dogged the WTO ever since. As it was the European Union which wanted them to be included in a new round of negotiations, they should rightly be called “EU issues”. I lost count of the number of times that Singapore’s name was intoned in the WTO on account of these issues. Singapore also presented the logo used for the Ministerial Conference to the WTO, which the latter adopted as its own corporate logo.
Still a Developing Country Another highlight of my term was defending Singapore’s status as a developing country. Given our rapid economic growth and developmental standards, some advanced countries felt that we should be graduated to the status of an advanced economy. However, our position was that we had a long way to go before we could really claim to be an advanced economy. The Ambassador who was keenest to see Singapore graduated was the EU ambassador Tran Trinh. In fact, he made it a personal crusade to have this achieved before he ended his term in Geneva. Equally determined not to let this happen, Geneva Mission got together a coalition of friends to obstruct Tran at every stage. On one memorable occasion, at a meeting called to discuss the issue, Tran tabled a motion seeking Singapore’s graduation. Following a show of disapproval by the other ambassadors, Ambassador Luiz Felipe Lampreia of Brazil dramatically tore up the motion paper right in front of everyone. This infuriated Tran no end, but Singapore’s status as a developing country remained intact. These incidents brought home to me the reason why Peter Chan could have picked me for the posting in Geneva. Although not technically conversant with the subjects dealt with in GATT and later the WTO, I suppose he must have felt that I had the social skills needed for the job. In the WTO, where consensus is the basis for decision-making, the ability to get people together is a must. If you offend even a single delegation, it can result in a decision not being adopted.
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I returned to Singapore in March 1997, with a feeling of “mission accomplished”. Of course, I was not aware that I was about to jump from the frying pan into the fire. My next posting was Kuala Lumpur, and that is a tale to be told on another day.
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Eight Lessons on Negotiations Professor Tommy KOH is Ambassador-At-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Chairman of the Institute of Policy Studies, National Heritage Board and Chinese Heritage Centre. He was Dean of the Law Faculty of the National University of Singapore from 1971 to 1974. He served as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. (New York) from 1968 to 1971 and from 1974 to 1984. He was Ambassador to the U.S. from 1984 to 1990. Professor Koh was President of the Third U.N. Conference on the Law of the Sea from 1981 to 1982. He was Chairman of the Preparatory Committee and the Main Committee of the Earth Summit from 1990 to 1992. He served as the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 1993. He has been a Member of three WTO dispute panels, twice as Chairman. He was the founding Chairman of the National Arts Council and founding Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation.
Introduction
I
have spent 34 years with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During that period, I have been tasked with the responsibility to lead several delegations to negotiate with other countries. In 1990, I was asked to lead a delegation to negotiate with China for the establishment of our diplomatic relations. In 1996, I was asked to negotiate an agreement between the EU and its 10 Asian partners to establish the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). In 2001, I was asked to lead a delegation to negotiate a free trade agreement with the United States. In 2003, I was asked to lead a delegation to negotiate with Malaysia to resolve a dispute over Singapore’s land reclamation works in and around the Straits of Johor. At the international level, I have also been given tasks which involve leading very substantive negotiations. In 1981, upon the sudden demise of Ambassador H. S. Amerasinghe, the U.N. drafted 199
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me to succeed him as the President of the Third U.N. Conference on the Law of the Sea. In 1990, upon the urging of Kishore Mahbubani (then Permanent Secretary of MFA) and Chan Heng Chee (then the Permanent Representative to the U.N.), I was elected to chair the Preparatory Committee for the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development, also known as UNCED or the Earth Summit. When the Conference convened in June 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I was drafted to chair the negotiations as Chairman of the Main Committee. In 1993, the then U.N. Secretary-General, Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, appointed me as his Special Envoy, to lead a peace mission to Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Apart from those practical experiences, I have also followed the growing literature on negotiations and conference diplomacy. I have attempted to make a few modest contributions to that literature. What I would like to do in this essay is to share with my younger colleagues and interested readers the eight lessons I have learnt about negotiations.
Lesson No. 1: Treat Every Negotiation as Special and Different Every negotiation is special and different. No two negotiations are identical because each negotiation has its own agenda, its challenges and complexities, its cast of negotiators, its tone and momentum. A good negotiator must therefore never become complacent. Just because he has successfully completed one negotiation does not mean that he will succeed in the next negotiation without putting in a major effort in learning and preparation.
Lesson No. 2: Build a Cohesive and Happy Team Both at the national and international levels, it is the responsibility of the leader of a delegation to build a cohesive and happy team.
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This is often very challenging. At the international level, you are always leading a team consisting of colleagues from many countries and cultures. At the national level, you are usually leading a team consisting of colleagues from different ministries and agencies, from different disciplines and, sometimes, from different sectors of society. In the recently concluded land reclamation case, for example, the Singapore team consisted of colleagues from three ministries, six agencies, different disciplinary backgrounds and both practitioners and scholars. As I said at the press conference on 26 April 2005, I was very proud of the fact that our engineers and biologists were able to work together and they were, in turn, able to work with our lawyers and diplomats. As a result, the Singapore team was a cohesive and happy one. It is, of course, very helpful if the collective brainpower of your delegation is superior to or, at least, equal to that of your negotiating counterpart. IQ is, however, not the only ingredient of success of a delegation. It is only one important aspect.
Lesson No. 3: Master Your Brief Do your homework and do it well. There is no substitute for hard work and thorough and meticulous preparation. There is no such thing as a lazy but good negotiator. A good negotiator must attempt to master his brief, to understand all aspects of his case, to understand his counterpart’s case, and to be ready to respond, in a cogent and persuasive manner, to questions put to him across the negotiating table or in a court of law.
Lesson No. 4: Know When and How to Use Foreign Advisers In some cases, especially when some of the issues in dispute are very technical in nature, it is useful to consult foreign advisers. In
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the land reclamation case, Singapore consulted two foreign legal experts and two foreign experts in ocean engineering. They gave our Government and our delegation very good advice. We did not treat them at arm’s length or subordinate our own analysis to theirs. They were successfully integrated into our team and participated, on an equal and collegial manner, in the thought process. As a result of such an approach, the distinction between foreign and local was blurred and we were able to arrive at all our decisions by consensus. The day after the settlement agreement was signed, I was very pleased to receive an email from one of our foreign advisers thanking us for treating him and his colleagues in such an inclusive manner.
Lesson No. 5: Build a Common Basis of Facts In some disputes, such as the land reclamation case, the two parties held diametrically opposite views of the facts. The challenge for the parties is to narrow the gap and to move towards a common basis of facts. The introduction of a third party could be useful. In the land reclamation case, credit must be given to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). In its unanimous judgement of 8 October 2003, the Tribunal ordered Malaysia and Singapore to establish a group of independent experts, to undertake a oneyear study of the facts. The unanimous report of the group of experts presented the two parties with a common basis of facts. The subsequent negotiations were successful partly because the parties were negotiating on a common basis of facts. Without it, the negotiations would have been much more difficult, if not impossible, to arrive at an amicable settlement. The lesson is that where the facts are in dispute, the parties should consider using a third party procedure in order to establish a common basis of facts.
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Lesson No. 6: Exercise Emotional Intelligence I have referred to the importance of IQ in connection with Lesson No. 2. I want to refer here to the importance of emotional intelligence. This refers to a negotiator’s qualities of leadership, empathy and ability to earn the trust and confidence of his own colleagues as well as those of his negotiating counterparts. Negotiations succeed best when the rapport between the negotiators is good and when they share a bond of mutual trust and confidence. I have always urged my colleagues to build rapport with their negotiating counterparts and to conduct themselves in such a way as to earn their respect and trust. I have always practised “makan” diplomacy or “dining” diplomacy because I have found that eating together is a bonding experience. Being a lover of the arts and of museums, I have also practised cultural diplomacy. When we were negotiating with the U.S. on the free trade agreement, I took my counterpart, Mr. Ralph Ives, who loves Indian food, to Apollo Banana Leaf for dinner and took him on a tour of Little India. On the day when the land reclamation settlement agreement was signed, I invited the whole Malaysian delegation to the ceremonial opening of a lovely nyonya kebaya show at our Asian Civilisations Museum. The fact that the opening was co-officiated by the wives of the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore made the occasion and the 26th of April 2005 a memorable one. The lesson I wish to share is the importance of showing your negotiating counterpart respect, friendship and courtesy. Never make your negotiating partner “lose face”. You will find that your goodwill will be reciprocated by their goodwill, thereby creating a positive environment for the negotiation.
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Lesson No. 7: Cultivate Cultural Intelligence To negotiate successfully with another country, a good negotiator should study that country’s history, culture and negotiating style. In other words, in addition to IQ and EQ, a good negotiator should also cultivate his cultural intelligence. The beginning of wisdom is to understand that we all live in our own cultural box. We should therefore make an attempt to understand the content of the cultural box of our negotiating counterpart. This will help us to avoid violating cultural taboos such as serving pork to American Jews or food which is not halal to our Malaysian or Arab friends. At a deeper level, it will help us to understand how our American, Chinese and Malaysian friends think and how they negotiate. Armed with this understanding, we will be able to customise our negotiating strategy and tactic to suit each negotiating partner. I am always astonished by the fact that ministries of foreign affairs pay so little attention to historians and cultural anthropologists. This is a mistake. The lesson I wish to share is the importance of understanding the history, culture, mindset and negotiating style of the different countries we negotiate with. An ideal negotiator, in my view, should have IQ, EQ and CQ.
Lesson No. 8: Think Win-Win The outcome of a good negotiation should be an agreement which is fair and balanced. It is not and cannot be a zero sum. Instead, it must be a win-win outcome. To arrive at such an outcome, negotiators on both sides should focus on solutions which encompass the fundamental interests of both parties. I have always found it useful to put myself in the shoes of my negotiating partner and to understand what his interests are and what his bottom line is. Negotiations can only succeed if there is a spirit of give and take on both sides. This means, for example, that I should be willing to give some
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comfort language when my negotiating partner has indicated that he needs such language in order to satisfy his political masters or a domestic constituency. It also includes my willingness to make a small concession, in a matter of secondary importance to my country, in order to achieve an agreement on a package deal which is of fundamental interest to my country. In other words, I must be willing to be flexible and accommodating. However, when my fundamental interest is at stake, I must be firm and let my negotiating partner know that it is a point on which I have no flexibility. The lesson I wish to share is that a negotiation is not a zero sum game. It is a game in which the challenge is to find a win-win outcome.
Conclusion Negotiation permeates a diplomat’s life. However, no one teaches a diplomat how to be a good negotiator. I hope that the eight lessons I have distilled from my experiences and reflections will be useful to my younger colleagues and other interested readers.
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)N ) WENT TO #HINA AS AN ADVISER OF THE VISITING 3INGAPORE 2UBBER !SSOCIATION TO GET A FEEL OF THE WORLDS MOST POPULOUS NATION )N ) LED A SMALL TEAM TO #HINA TO BEGIN THE NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF #OMMERCIAL 2EPRESENTATIVE /FlCES IN EACH OTHERS COUNTRY IN )N ) WAS WITH 0ROFESSOR 4OMMY +OHS DELEGATION TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS AND TIMING OF ESTABLISHING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH #HINA &INALLY ON /CTOBER 3INGAPORE ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH #HINA 4HEREAFTER 3INGAPORE AND #HINA EMBARKED ON THE SECOND JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
$ENG 8IAOPINGS VISIT TO 3INGAPORE .OVEMBER 4HE BEST POLITICAL LESSON ) HAVE LEARNT IS FROM THE BRILLIANT WARM AND FRANK MEETINGS BETWEEN FORMER 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW AND -R $ENG 8IAOPING DURING THE LATTERS VISIT TO 3INGAPORE IN .OVEMBER 7HEN $ENG 8IAOPING AND 0- ,EE MET FOR TWO LONG MEETINGS ON TH AND TH .OVEMBER THEY ALREADY HAD A LOT OF WARMTH AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER !S THEY WERE VERY RESTRICTED MEETINGS 4AN "OON 3ENG *OSEPH +OH AND ) HAD TO TAKE VERBATIM NOTES OF THE TWO MEETINGS ON THE SPARKLING EXCHANGES OF WIT AND SINCERITY BETWEEN $ENG 8IAOPING AND 0- ,EE !MONG OTHER MAJOR ISSUES $ENG SPOKE OF HIS DISDAIN FOR ANY MAN OR LEADER WHO SOLD HIS SOUL AND NOT MATCHING HIS WORDS WITH DEEDS ) COULD FEEL 0- ,EE THOROUGHLY ENJOYING HIS MEETINGS WITH $ENG #OINCIDENTALLY DURING AN EARLIER FROSTY MEETING BETWEEN 0- ,EE AND THE VISITING 6IETNAMESE 0- 0HAM 6AN $ONG ON /CTOBER 0- ,EE STERNLY ASKED 0- 0HAM TO MATCH HIS WORDS WITH DEEDS 0- 0HAM STRONGLY ASSURED 0- ,EE THAT HE HAD ALWAYS
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MATCHED HIS WORDS WITH DEEDS (E ADDED THAT 0- ,EE WAS A LEADER WHO hDARES SAY AND DOES ITv
(IJACK IN 4HINGS HAVE REALLY CHANGED )N THE LAST QUARTER OF THE TH #ENTURY THE HIJACKERS WANTED TO LIVE (OWEVER THE HIJACKERS OF THE ST #ENTURY WANT TO DIE ,ET US GO BACK TO ABOUT PM ON /CTOBER 4HAT AFTERNOON FOUR ARMED 6IETNAMESE HIJACKERS FORCED A $# !IR 6IETNAM PLANE TO LAND AT 3ELETAR !IR "ASE "ACKED BY THE $IRECTOR OF )NTERNAL 3ECURITY $EPARTMENT ,IM #HYE (ENG AND HIS $EPUTY 3EAH 7AI 4OH ) WALKED TOWARDS THE HIJACKERS LEADER AND HIS ARMED COLLEAGUE WHO WERE ALREADY ON THE TARMAC ABOUT TWO METRES AWAY FROM THE HIJACKED PLANE 4HEY HAD ALREADY KILLED TWO CREW MEMBERS AND SERIOUSLY INJURED ANOTHER OUTSIDE 3INGAPORES AIR SPACE 4HEY THREATENED TO DO MORE HARM OR KILL THE PASSENGERS )T WAS ANOTHER LUCKY DAY FOR ME AND MY COLLEAGUES THE HIJACKERS LEADER ,AM SPOKE 4EOCHEW ) COULD SENSE THAT ,AM AND THREE OF THE HIJACKERS WANTED VERY MUCH TO LIVE ON 3O WE CONVERSED WITH ,AM IN 4EOCHEW TO PERSUADE HIM AND THE OTHERS TO SURRENDER ! SENIOR POLICE OFlCER JOINED US LATER 4O CUT A VERY LONG STORY SHORT ,AM AND HIS MEN AGREED TO SURRENDER TO THE 3INGAPORE AUTHORITIES AND HE HANDED OVER HIS GUN TO ME AT ABOUT PM 4HE REST OF THE STORY CAN BE TOLD AT ANOTHER TIME AND PLACE
(ELPING /THER -INISTRIES 3INCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN !UGUST THE -&! HAS BEEN HELPING OTHER -INISTRIES IN THEIR WIDE RANGE OF TASKS ) WILL TOUCH ON ONLY ECONOMIC WORK BY CITING SOME EXAMPLES
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3UMITOMO 0ETROCHEMICAL 0ROJECT -AY 4HE 3UMITOMO 0ETROCHEMICAL 0ROJECT WAS SEALED ON -AY 6ALUED AT ABOUT BILLION AT THAT TIME IT WAS 3INGAPORES LARGEST INDUSTRIAL PROJECT )TS SUCCESS ENTHUSED MANY MAJOR INVESTORS FROM THE OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 4HE MOST CRUCIAL FACTOR WHICH CLINCHED THE 0ROJECT WAS THEN 0- ,EE +UAN 9EWS LEADERSHIP )T WAS ALSO A PROJECT WHICH OUR -INISTRY OUR %MBASSY IN 4OKYO AND THE %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARD %$" WORKED VERY CLOSELY FOR MANY MONTHS ! BRILLIANT %$" $EPUTY $IVISIONAL $IRECTOR WHO LATER BECAME A -INISTER FOR YEARS -R ,EE 9OCK 3UAN AND ) WERE INSTRUCTED TO lNALISE THE lNANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER DETAILS OF THE 0ROJECT IN 4OKYO IN LATE -AY DURING THE lNAL PHASE OF NEGOTIATIONS
&REE 4RADE !GREEMENTS 0ROFESSOR 4OMMY +OH WAS THE LEADER OF THE SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION TEAM FOR THE 53 3INGAPORE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 4HE !GREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED IN 4HE FORMER !MBASSADOR TO *APAN ,IM #HIN "ENG WAS RECALLED ON *ANUARY TO NEGOTIATE THE *APAN 3INGAPORE %CONOMIC 0ARTNERSHIP !GREEMENT 4HE !GREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED IN /N &EBRUARY 6ANU 'OPALA -ENON WAS APPOINTED AS THE LEADER OF THE 3INGAPORE TEAM TO NEGOTIATE THE !USTRALIA 3INGAPORE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 4HE !GREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED IN
3UNGLASSES ) HAVE DECIDED TO SQUEEZE IN THIS BIT ABOUT LIFE IN THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS JUST FOR YOUR CASUAL READING /N THE LUCKY MORNING OF *ANUARY 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY 'EORGE "OGAARS CALLED ME TO HIS ROOM ON THE lRST mOOR OF THE
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#ITY (ALL (E SHOCKED ME WITH A STRONG AND WARM HANDSHAKE TO CONGRATULATE ME ON BEING APPOINTED AS THE YOUNGEST $EPUTY 3ECRETARY IN THE -INISTRY /N BEHALF OF MY ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS ) CONVEYED OUR DEEP GRATITUDE AND PROMISE TO DO OUR BEST FOR HIM AND THE 'OVERNMENT )MMEDIATELY ) WENT TO AN OPTICAL SHOP ALONG .ORTH "RIDGE 2OAD TO BUY A PAIR OF OBIANG HEAVY DUTY SUNGLASSES 0UTTING ON THE SUNGLASSES ) TOOK A STROLL AROUND THE OFlCE 3OME COLLEAGUES ASKED WHETHER MY EYES WERE INFECTED ) TOLD THEM THAT MY FUTURE WAS TOO BRIGHT AND ) NEEDED THE SUNGLASSES TO KEEP OUT THE GLARE /N A LUCKIER MORNING IN EARLY -ARCH ) WAS ON LEAVE ) RECEIVED A CALL TO ATTEND A FOUR EYE LUNCH HOSTED BY THEN 3ENIOR -INISTER OF 3TATE IN THE 0RIME -INISTERS /FlCE AND $EPUTY #HAIRMAN OF THE 0EOPLES !SSOCIATION 0! -R ,EE +HOON #HOY !FTER SOME PLEASANTRIES -INISTER ,EE TOLD ME THAT THE 0! HAD DECIDED TO APPOINT ME AS ITS #HIEF %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR AND ASKED WHETHER ) WOULD ACCEPT IT -Y BODY SHOOK WITH GRATITUDE ) GRABBED THE JOB IMMEDIATELY !GAIN ON BEHALF OF MY ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS ) CONVEYED OUR DEEP GRATITUDE AND PROMISE TO DO OUR BEST FOR -INISTER ,EE AND THE 'OVERNMENT !FTER THE DELICIOUS LUNCH ) WENT TO THE SAME OPTICAL SHOP 4HIS TIME TO HOLD ON TO MY LUCK ) BOUGHT EIGHT PAIRS OF THE SAME SUNGLASSES ) GAVE lVE OF THEM AWAY TO MY FRIENDS WHOM ) MET AS ) WAS GOING BACK TO THE -INISTRY ) PRESENTED THE REMAINING THREE PAIRS OF SUNGLASSES TO MY COLLEAGUES IN THE -INISTRY 4HE EIGHT RECIPIENTS ASKED ME ABOUT THE GIFTS ) TOLD THEM THAT MY FUTURE WAS ULTRA BRIGHT AND THEY HAD TO WEAR THE SUNGLASSES KEEP OUT THE STRONG GLARE FROM MY BODY
(OKKIEN DIALECTAL TERM TO MEAN hOUT OF FASHIONv
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3ANASI 2ETIRES 4HE -&! HAS ALWAYS BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE EXCELLENT -INISTERS NAMELY -R 3 2AJARATNAM -R 3 $HANABALAN -R 7ONG +AN 3ENG 0ROFESSOR 3 *AYAKUMAR AND NOW -R 'EORGE 9EO 7E ALSO HAVE EXCELLENT 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARIES -R 3 2 .ATHAN NOW 0RESIDENT OF 3INGAPORE -R 'EORGE "OGAARS -R 3TANLEY 3TEWART -R #HIA #HEONG &OOK AND THEIR SUCCESSORS 4OGETHER WITH THE RANK AND lLE THE -INISTERS AND 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARIES BUILD UP THE -INISTRY INTO WHAT IT IS TODAY A NIMBLE AND EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION /NE OF THE -INISTRYS ICONS FROM THE RANK AND lLE IS 3ANASI SO !YAKANNU 3ANASI RETIRED ON $ECEMBER AFTER WORKING YEARS MONTHS AND DAYS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE 3ANASI WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE 0RIME -INISTERS /FlCE TO THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS ON *ANUARY AS AN /FlCE !TTENDANT )N VIEW OF THE SECURITY REQUIREMENT OF THE -INISTRY 3ANASI WAS GIVEN THE SPECIAL PERMISSION TO SET UP A hSARABATv STALL TO SERVE TEA AND COFFEE TO STAFF AND VISITORS BECAUSE WE DID NOT WANT PEOPLE TO SLIP IN POISON OR LAXATIVES INTO THE DRINKS FOR STAFF AND VISITORS 7E SALUTE 3ANASI 7E ALSO MISS HIS TEA AND COFFEE
#ONCLUSION ) CAN GO ON WRITING BUT ) HAVE TO STOP HERE AS THERE ARE TOO MANY STORIES AND THE -&! WILL ALSO HAVE MORE NEW STORIES 7E OLD FOLKS HAVE BEEN FREQUENTLY ASKED TO GIVE SOME ADVICE TO THE YOUNG ) HAVE ALWAYS TURNED DOWN SUCH REQUESTS POLITELY BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY YOUNG AND OLD PEOPLE WHO ARE SMARTER THAN ME AND THEY DO NOT NEED MY ADVICE 4HE ONLY TWO POINTS ) HAVE TOLD MY CHILDREN AND FRIENDS ARE
!N )NDIAN TERM TO MEAN hBEVERAGEv
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A 4AKE YOUR JOB SERIOUSLY AND GIVE YOUR BEST SHOT "UT NEVER TAKE YOUR LIFE SERIOUSLY ,IFE IS SO FRAGILE AND UNPREDICTABLE 3O LEAD A HAPPY HEALTHY AND SIMPLE LIFE BY HAVING A BIG AND OPEN HEART ,ETS LIVE AND LET LIVE AND B %VERY NATIONAL OR PERSONAL CRISIS IS DIFFERENT IN SCOPE AND NATURE "UT EVERY CRISIS WHETHER IT IS 3!23 A TERRORIST ACT OR A PERSONAL PROBLEM WILL BE OVER AND WE JUST MAKE SURE WE ENDURE AND OVERCOME IT AND MOVE ON
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"EING AN !MBASSADOR THE 3)! 7AY -R ,)- #HIN "ENG IS THE #HAIRMAN OF 6ALUAIR (E IS ALSO #HAIRMAN OF 3INGAPORE 0RESS (OLDINGS AND THE !SCOTT 'ROUP )N HE JOINED THE 3INGAPORE #IVIL 3ERVICE AS AN !DMINISTRATIVE /FlCER IN THE -INISTRY OF &INANCE )N HE LEFT THE CIVIL SERVICE TO JOIN -ALAYAN !IRLINES THE FORERUNNER OF 3INGAPORE !IRLINES 7HEN 3INGAPORE !IRLINES 3)! WAS ESTABLISHED IN HE WAS APPOINTED ITS -ANAGING $IRECTOR )N HE BECAME 3)!S $EPUTY #HAIRMAN AND SERVED IN THIS CAPACITY UNTIL (E WAS CONCURRENTLY #HAIRMAN OF THE 3INGAPORE 4OURIST 0ROMOTION "OARD FROM TO (E SERVED AS !MBASSADOR TO *APAN FROM TO )N HE WAS ALSO APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE #OMMISSION )N HE WAS APPOINTED 3INGAPORES #HIEF .EGOTIATOR FOR THE *APANn3INGAPORE %CONOMIC 0ARTNERSHIP !GREEMENT *3%0! 4HE &4! WAS SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED AND SIGNED IN EARLY )N -AY HE WAS CONFERRED THE 'RAND #ORDON OF THE /RDER OF THE 2ISING 3UN BY THE *APANESE 'OVERNMENT
NLIKE MANY OTHER DIPLOMATS WHO HAVE MADE THE FOREIGN SERVICE THEIR CAREER ) WAS PARACHUTED INTO DIPLOMACY ) SPENT MOST OF MY CAREER IN THE AIRLINES INDUSTRY &IRST IN -ALAYAN !IRLINES AND SUBSEQUENTLY IN OUR OWN 3INGAPORE !IRLINES "Y ) WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE ACTIVE SERVICE IN 3)! AND LOOKED FORWARD TO A MORE RELAXED PACE OF LIFE 4HEN ) RECEIVED A PHONE CALL ) WAS INVITED TO MEET WITH OUR THEN -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS -R 7ONG +AN 3ENG FOR A CHAT ) RECALL SITTING ACROSS HIM IN HIS OFlCE AND HE ASKED IF ) WOULD BE WILLING TO BECOME AN AMBASSADOR FOR 3INGAPORE 4HE lRST QUESTION IN MY MIND WAS WHERE WOULD ) BE POSTED 7HEN THE -INISTER SAID h*APANv ) IMMEDIATELY AGREED )T WAS PROBABLY DUE TO MY WHITE HAIR THAT ) WAS ASKED TO BECOME AN AMBASSADOR TO *APAN !T THAT TIME MY IMPRESSION OF *APAN WAS THAT IT WAS A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE 4HE SECOND QUESTION WAS IF ) COULD CONTINUE TO SERVE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN 3INGAPORE AND RETAIN MY DIRECTORSHIPS 4HE -INISTRY
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DROVE A HARD BARGAIN AND ALLOWED ME TO CONTINUE TO RETAIN MY 3)! $IRECTORSHIP BUT ON MY OWN TIME ) RECALL THE MANY MEETINGS IN 3INGAPORE WHICH MEANT ) HAD TO TAKE OVERNIGHT mIGHTS ARRIVING IN 3INGAPORE EARLY IN THE MORNING AND RUSHING BACK TO 4OKYO ON THE SAME DAY AFTER THE MEETING WAS OVER
4HE -YTH ABOUT *APANESE 7OMEN "EFORE LEAVING FOR *APAN ) HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT *APANESE WOMEN WERE VERY SUBMISSIVE AND THEY HAD NO PART TO PLAY IN ANY DECISION OF IMPORTANCE ) WAS PROVEN WRONG WHEN ) ARRIVED TO TAKE UP MY POSTING ! FEW MONTHS INTO MY lRST TERM ) HOSTED DINNER FOR A FEW OF THE SENIOR AMBASSADORS IN THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS IN 4OKYO AND ALSO A 6ICE -INISTER OF THE *APAN &OREIGN -INISTRY EQUIVALENT TO 3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY 4HE OTHER AMBASSADORS HAD SPENT MANY MORE YEARS THAN ME IN *APAN AND HAD NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN INVITING THE 6ICE -INISTER TO THEIR DINNER EVENTS 4HEY WERE VERY SURPRISED WHEN ) A NEWLY ARRIVED AMBASSADOR SUCCEEDED IN DOING SO -Y WIFE WAS MY SECRET WEAPON )N REALITY SPOUSES PARTICULARLY THE WIVES PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DIPLOMACY -Y WIFE 7INNIE HAD PLAYED GOLF WITH THE 6ICE -INISTERS WIFE 4HROUGH THE GOOD OFlCES OF HIS WIFE THEY ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION )T WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE TO UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE OF THE SPOUSE )N MY YEARS IN *APAN ) OBSERVED THAT MANY OF THE POLITICIANS AND BUSINESS LEADERS OFTEN APPRECIATED RECEIVING INVITATIONS THAT INCLUDED THEIR SPOUSES
2OLE OF THE 7IFE 4HE VALUE OF MY WIFES FRIENDSHIP WITH THE OTHER WIVES WAS UNDERSCORED ON ANOTHER OCCASION 4HE *APANESE #ROWN 0RINCE .ARUHITO WAS ABOUT TO MARRY -S -ASAKO /WADA ) VISITED THE
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)MPERIAL (OUSEHOLD OFlCE AND EXPRESSED OUR 'OVERNMENTS WISH TO OFFER A GIFT ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION ) RECALL THE DISAPPOINTMENT ) FELT WHEN ) WAS TOLD THAT ONLY COUNTRIES WITH ROYALTY COULD OFFER PRESENTS ) THOUGHT MORE ABOUT IT AND COUNTERPROPOSED THAT WE COULD NAME ONE OF OUR ORCHIDS AFTER 0RINCESS -ASAKO ) CONSULTED WITH THE 3INGAPORE "OTANICAL 'ARDENS AND THEY OFFERED THREE TYPES OF /RCHIDS ONE PINK ONE WHITE AND ONE RED ) WENT BACK TO THE )MPERIAL (OUSEHOLD OFlCE AND ASKED THEM TO LET 0RINCESS -ASAKO SELECT THE ORCHID THAT SHE LIKED ) WAS THEN INFORMED THAT WE HAD TO CHOOSE THE ORCHID THAT WE WANTED TO PRESENT TO THE 0RINCESS 7INNIE KNEW THE 0RINCESS MOTHER -RS /WADA VERY WELL SO AGAIN THROUGH HER GOOD OFlCES WE WERE ABLE TO ARRANGE FOR 0RINCESS -ASAKO TO PICK THE ORCHID THAT SHE LIKED )N *APAN SPOUSES CAN PLAY A VERY SUPPORTIVE AND IMPORTANT ROLE FOR THE DIPLOMATS "EFORE LEAVING MY POSTING ) HAD RECOMMENDED TO OUR -INISTRY THAT ANY MARRIED -&! OFlCERS WHO WENT ON POSTING TO *APAN WITHOUT A SPOUSE SHOULD ONLY BE GIVEN A SINGLE ALLOWANCE
(OSTING -- ,EE $URING MY SIX AND A HALF YEARS IN *APAN ) HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST -INISTER -ENTOR ,EE +UAN 9EW AND -RS ,EE AS THEY VISITED *APAN ON MORE THAN TEN OCCASIONS !S !MBASSADOR ) WAS INVITED TO THE MEETINGS THAT -- ,EE WAS SPEAKING AT )T WAS A REAL PRIVILEGE TO HEAR HIM SPEAK AND THE *APANESE WERE VERY KEEN TO LEARN ABOUT #HINA FROM HIM
3INGING IS A -UST )N *APAN LEARNING TO SING KARAOKE IS A MUST !FTER ATTENDING A FEW DINNERS HOSTED BY THE *APANESE FOR VISITING 3INGAPORE DELEGATIONS ) FOUND TO OUR EMBARRASSMENT THAT NO ONE FROM 3INGAPORE COULD SING DURING THE POST DINNER KARAOKE SESSIONS ) DECIDED THAT ) SHOULD
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LEARN A *APANESE SONG SO THAT ) CAN SING ON BEHALF OF 3INGAPORE ) CONSULTED MY *APANESE FRIEND WHO RECOMMENDED ME A SONG AND WENT TO !KIHABARA TO BUY THE KARAOKE TAPE AND LYRICS FOR THE SONG 7HEN ) SHOWED THE SONG TO MY *APANESE TUTOR SHE WAS SHOCKED AND SAID THAT AS AN !MBASSADOR ) SHOULD NOT SING THE SONG 4HE SONG MY FRIEND HAD CHOSEN WAS A LOVE SONG -Y TUTOR FELT THAT AS !MBASSADOR ) SHOULD SPEAK IN THE MOST POLITE FORM OF *APANESE AND ENGAGE ONLY IN THE lNER ASPECTS OF THEIR CULTURE 7HILE ) WAS TRAINED TO CONVERSE WITH THE )MPERIAL (OUSEHOLD THE *APANESE ) LEARNT HOWEVER DID NOT HELP ME GET THE BEST BARGAIN WHEN ) WENT SHOPPING 4HE LOVE SONG ASIDE ) WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT FOR DIPLOMATS THERE ARE TWO MAIN DUTIES 7HILE IT IS IMPORTANT TO CULTIVATE GOOD RELATIONS AND KEEP WATCHING BRIEFS ON ISSUES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES EQUAL EMPHASIS SHOULD ALSO BE PUT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF REPRESENTING 3INGAPORE AT MANY OF THE FORMAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS /UR PARTICIPATION AT SOCIAL EVENTS ATTENDANCE AT DINNERS AND RECEPTIONS ARE ACTUALLY ALSO OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW THE FACE OF OUR COUNTRY AND TO HELP MAKE PEOPLE MORE AWARE OF 3INGAPORE 5NFORTUNATELY THE GRADING OF THE OFlCER IS BASED MORE ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FORMER RATHER THAN IN THEIR EFFORTS IN REPRESENTING 3INGAPORE ) REMEMBER THAT ) HAD MADE IT A PRIORITY TO ATTEND AS MANY OF THESE EVENTS AS POSSIBLE !S THE *APANESE SOCIETY IS ALSO A FORMAL SOCIETY WITH GREAT ATTENTION PAID TO PRESENTATION BEHAVIOUR AND ETIQUETTE IT WAS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT THAT AS DIPLOMATS WE OBSERVED THE PROTOCOL CLOSELY AND PRESENTED OURSELVES AS BEST AS WE CAN -Y YEARS IN 3)! HELPED ME TO BE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ETIQUETTE AND GOOD MANNERS 7HEN ) lRST ARRIVED WE FOUND THAT THE RESIDENCE WAS NOT WELL EQUIPPED TO HOST MAJOR EVENTS &OR EXAMPLE WE HAD TO ACQUIRE A SEATING PLAN BOARD AS NONE COULD BE FOUND IN THE %MBASSY /NE OF OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE MISSION WAS RELIEVED AS THIS SPARED HIM FROM HAVING TO HOLD A PIECE OF PAPER DISPLAYING THE SEATING ARRANGEMENT AT THE DOOR WHENEVER WE HAD A FUNCTION
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) WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT MY TWO TERMS IN *APAN WERE RELATIVELY PEACEFUL 0EOPLE MAY SAY THAT AN AMBASSADOR HAS A GOOD LIFE BUT IT TAKES ONLY ONE UNHAPPY INCIDENT TO RUIN YOUR WHOLE TERM ) DID HOWEVER SEE MANY LEADERSHIP CHANGES DURING MY PERIOD 7HEN A NEW 0RIME -INISTER WAS ELECTED AND A NEW &OREIGN -INISTER APPOINTED WE HAD TO PAY COURTESY CALLS ON THE NEW LEADERS AND REVIEW OUR RELATIONS 4HANKFULLY OUR RELATIONS WERE STABLE AND BY AND LARGE *APANS POLICY TOWARDS 3INGAPORE WAS GENERALLY CONSISTENT
+NOWING *APAN -Y UNDERSTANDING OF *APAN DEVELOPED WHEN ) WAS NEGOTIATING WITH MY *APANESE COUNTERPARTS WHILE AT 3)! 4HOSE WERE DIFlCULT NEGOTIATIONS AND YOU GET TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR OPPONENTS VERY QUICKLY "UILDING ON THAT KNOWLEDGE WHEN ) ARRIVED IN *APAN ) ALSO MADE AN EFFORT TO TRAVEL AROUND *APAN AND MEET AS MANY PEOPLE AS ) COULD /F THE PREFECTURES OF *APAN ) HAD VISITED OF THEM 3OMETIMES THESE WERE VISITS THAT WERE PART OF THE TOUR OF !3%!. AMBASSADORS /THER TIMES 7INNIE AND ) WOULD GO ON PRIVATE TRIPS TO SOME OF THESE BEAUTIFUL PLACES ) REMEMBER THE lRST TIME WHEN ) WAS PRESENTING MY CREDENTIALS TO THE %MPEROR OF *APAN HE HAD ASKED ME IF ) HAD VISITED OUTSIDE OF 4OKYO ) TOLD HIM THAT ) HAD YET TO VISIT THE OTHER PARTS OF *APAN 7HEN ) WAS MAKING MY FAREWELL CALL ON THE %MPEROR ) WAS PLEASED THAT ) COULD NAME TWO OF MY FAVOURITE PLACES OUTSIDE OF 4OKYO -IYAJIMA )SLAND NEAR (IROSHIMA AND *ODOGAHAMA NORTH OF -IYAKO IN )WATE 0REFECTURE )T WAS THESE FRIENDSHIPS THAT ) HAD MADE THROUGH THE YEARS THAT HELPED ME TO CONCLUDE WITH RELATIVE EASE THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR A .EW !GE %CONOMIC 0ARTNERSHIP BETWEEN *APAN AND 3INGAPORE ) REMEMBER THAT THE ICE WAS BROKEN WHEN THE *APAN 6ICE -INISTER FROM 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY FOUND OUT WE HAD VISITED THE SAME MASSAGE PARLOUR IN "ANGKOK ) QUICKLY ADDED THAT ) HAD VISITED THE PARLOUR WITH MY WIFE
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!NOTHER DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR TWO NEGOTIATING TEAMS WAS THAT WHILE THE *APANESE TEAM WAS MADE UP OF MAINLY MEN HALF OF THE 3INGAPORE NEGOTIATING TEAM COMPRISED WOMEN )N MY EXPERIENCE THERE IS MORE MYTH THAN REALITY ABOUT THE DIFlCULTY OF WORKING IN *APAN )F YOU WORK HARD AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM THERE IS ACTUALLY NOT MUCH OF A CULTURAL GAP 4HE *APANESE MAY BE A BIT MORE FORMAL IN THE BEGINNING BUT ONCE YOU GET TO KNOW THEM BETTER THEY ARE QUITE FRIENDLY
,ESSONS FOR THE 9OUNG $IPLOMATS ) LEAVE THREE LESSONS FOR FUTURE DIPLOMATS &IRST MAKE IT A POINT TO ATTEND THE LESS FORMAL EVENTS ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTRY )T IS AT THESE EVENTS THAT YOU WILL ALSO GET TO MEET A WIDER CIRCLE OF PEOPLE THAN THE POLITICAL CIRCUIT 2EPRESENTATIONAL DUTIES ARE AS IMPORTANT AS POLITICAL ONES 3ECOND READ WIDELY AND CULTIVATE A RANGE OF INTERESTS SO THAT YOU CAN BE ENGAGED ON MANY TOPICS ) FOUND THAT MY INTERESTS IN TRAVEL MUSIC AND GOLF SERVED ME WELL WHEN ) WAS IN *APAN &INALLY LOOK AFTER THE INTERESTS OF THE COMPANIES FROM 3INGAPORE AS THEY TOO ARE VIEWED AS REPRESENTATIVES OF 3INGAPORE
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2EmECTIONS OF 9EARS IN $IPLOMACY -R ,/7 #HOON -ING JOINED THE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE IN -AY (E WAS 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO !USTRALIA n AND n AND -ALAYSIA n (IS EARLIER OVERSEAS POSTINGS WERE IN "ANGKOK .EW $ELHI #AIRO AND ,ONDON AS &IRST 3ECRETARY LATER #OUNSELLOR AND -INISTER #OUNSELLOR !T THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS (EADQUARTERS HE WAS THE $IRECTOR OF !DMINISTRATION n AND OF THE 0LANNING 0OLICY AND !NALYSIS $IRECTORATE ) COVERING 3OUTH EAST !SIAN COUNTRIES FROM TO *ULY
RIOR TO JOINING THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE ) SERVED IN TWO OTHER -INISTRIES &IRST AS A YOUNG !DMINISTRATIVE /FlCER AT THE -INISTRY OF #ULTURE FOR MONTHS IN AND AND THEN AS THE #OLLECTOR OF ,AND 2EVENUE ,AND /FlCE IN 3INGAPORE WAS NOT YET INDEPENDENT ON MY lRST DAY AT WORK -AY ,IKE MANY CIVIL SERVANTS OF MY ERA OUR WORK WAS SOMEHOW OR OTHER NEARLY ALWAYS CONNECTED WITH THE THEN 0RIME -INISTER 0- NOW -INISTER -ENTOR -- )T IS NO WONDER THAT WE THE OLDER CIVIL SERVANTS RELISH SO MUCH THE MEMOIRS OF -R ,EE +UAN 9EW -Y lRST CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH -- ,EE THEN 0- WAS ON THE NIGHT OF /CTOBER WHEN ) WAS TASKED TO GIVE HIM THE BUTTON TO UNVEIL THE PLAQUE AT THE OPENING OF THE 3INGAPORE #ONFERENCE (ALL4RADES 5NION (OUSE AT 3HENTON 7AY !LL THE MEMBERS OF THE ELITE IN 3INGAPORE WERE THERE )T WAS DARK EXCEPT FOR THE AREA AT THE ENTRANCE WHERE THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS BEING HELD *UST AS ) WAS HANDING HIM THE BUTTON HE SHOT ME A QUESTION h7HAT HAPPENS IF IT DOESNT WORK v ) REPLIED JUST AS QUICKLY h) THINK ) WILL BE SACKEDv &ORTUNATELY FOR ME THE CURTAIN DULY OPENED 4HEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON SWITCHED ON SIMULTANEOUSLY BY SEA CADETS )T WAS THE INNOVATIVE IDEA OF THAT TIME
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-R 3 2 .ATHAN NOW 0RESIDENT WHO WAS THEN THE $IRECTOR OF THE .ATIONAL 4RADES 5NION #ONGRESS .45# ,ABOUR 2ESEARCH 5NIT STILL UNFAILINGLY REMINDS ME OF THIS EPISODE EACH TIME WE MEET OVER THE YEARS ,IFE DOES NOT STAND STILL 7E MOVE ON )N MY CASE ) DECIDED TO JOIN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE TO SEE THE WORLD 4HIS SWITCH HAS TAKEN ME TO .EW 9ORK FOR A YEARS STUDY AS A #ARNEGIE &ELLOW AT #OLUMBIA 5NIVERSITY IN AND SUBSEQUENTLY ON POSTINGS TO "ANGKOK .EW $ELHI #AIRO ,ONDON AND AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO !USTRALIA n -ALAYSIA n AND TO !USTRALIA AGAIN n )N THE S ) WAS OFFERED JOBS IN THE )NTERNAL 3ECURITY $EPARTMENT )3$ IN WHILST ) WAS IN )NDIA THE %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARD %$" IN WHEN ) WAS IN #AIRO AND AS $EPUTY 3ECRETARY "UDGET IN THE -INISTRY OF &INANCE IN 7HAT A DIFFERENT LIFE MY FAMILY AND ) WOULD HAVE HAD IF ) HAD ACCEPTED ANY OF THOSE OFFERS
4HAILAND "ANGKOK IN AND WAS AN EXCITING PLACE WHERE hKLONGSv AND hSAMLORSv ABOUND /N HIS VISIT TO 4HAILAND AS 53 6ICE 0RESIDENT 2ICHARD .IXON DESCRIBED "ANGKOK AS hTHE ANGEL OF CITIES AND CITY OF ANGELSv )T STILL IS -Y WIFE AND ) CAN TESTIFY TO THE ACCURACY OF THIS DESCRIPTION 7E ARE THERE OFTEN TO CATCH UP WITH OLD FRIENDS /NE OF THE WIVES SAID h)N 4HAILAND YOU LEARN TO BE VERY POLITE )T IS CONTAGIOUSv 4HE 3INGAPORE AMBASSADOR IN "ANGKOK IN AND WAS -R 2 ( (O FATHER OF (O +WON 0ING 2 ( (O WAS A WEALTHY AND HIGHLY RESPECTED BUSINESSMAN WITH VAST EXPERIENCES AND CONNECTIONS IN 4HAILAND -YANMAR AND THE 53 ) LEARNT A LOT FROM HIM AND ALSO FROM HIS CHIRPY AND TALENTED WIFE ,I ,IEN &UNG 4HEY WERE A FORMIDABLE TEAM 7E ENTERTAINED EVERY VISITING 3INGAPORE DELEGATION IN SOME STYLE MOSTLY PAID FOR FROM -R (OS COFFER
h+LONGSv AND hSAMLORSv TO MEAN hCANALSv AND hTRICYCLESv RESPECTIVELY IN 4HAI
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!S &IRST 3ECRETARY AND .UMBER 4WO AT THE %MBASSY ) WAS TRULY VERY BUSY RUSHING FROM PLACE TO PLACE IN THE SWELTERING HEAT OF "ANGKOK IN MY NON AIRCONDITIONED 0EUGEOT !ND AS LIAISON OFlCER TO %#!&% NOW %3#!0 ) ATTENDED AN UNENDING STREAM OF MEETINGS AT 3ALA 3ANTHITHAM %#!&%S (1 )T WAS A MAD MAD RUSH ) WAS ONLY CONlDENT AND TIRELESS ) SOON OBSERVED THAT PEOPLE TEND TO REMEMBER WELL THE LITTLE ACTS OF ATTENTION AND KINDNESS THEY RECEIVE WHEN THEY ARE ABROAD 3OME OF MY BEST FRIENDS IN 3INGAPORE TODAY WERE PEOPLE ) lRST MET IN "ANGKOK
)NDIA $URING MY TIME IN .EW $ELHI n )NDIA HAD A POPULATION OF MILLION COMPARED TO THE CURRENT BILLION OVER )TS RELATIONS WITH 0AKISTAN THEN WERE THORNY ) WITNESSED THE )NDIA 0AKISTAN WAR OF $ECEMBER THAT LED TO THE BIRTH OF "ANGLADESH AND THE SIGNING OF THE 3HIMLA !GREEMENT ON THE SETTLEMENT OF THE +ASHMIR PROBLEM 4HE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE SOLVED
%GYPT #AIRO IN THE EARLY S WAS A PERIOD OF hNO WAR NO PEACEv IN THE -IDDLE %AST ,IFE WAS TOUGH IN #AIRO AS !NWAR 3ADAT PREPARED FOR WAR TO RECOVER THE LAND IN 3INAI AND THE PRIDE THAT %GYPT HAD LOST IN THE CATASTROPHIC *UNE WAR &OR 3INGAPORE THE POST IN #AIRO GAINED IN IMPORTANCE AFTER THE 9OM +IPPUR WAR OF /CTOBER AND THE QUADRUPLING OF OIL PRICES ) WAS THERE THE HEAD OF AN %MBASSY OF THREE PEOPLE 3OON AFTER THE WAR DELEGATIONS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CAME IN DROVES TO VISIT THE OIL PRODUCING COUNTRIES TO SEEK ASSURANCES OF SUPPLY FOR THEIR OIL NEEDS 3INGAPORE DID LIKEWISE
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) ACCOMPANIED 3INGAPORES THEN &OREIGN -INISTER -R 3 2AJARATNAM ON HIS VISIT TO SIX !RAB COUNTRIES IN *ANUARY 4HIS WAS FOLLOWED BY TRIPS WITH TRADE DELEGATIONS AND ALSO WITH 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW 4HOSE VISITS GAVE ME A GOOD FEEL AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE !RAB WORLD ) FOUND THE +UWAITIS WITTY AND SUAVE )TS &OREIGN -INISTER 3HEIKH 3ABAH !L 3ABAH STARTED THE MEETING WITH -R 2AJARATNAM AS FOLLOWS h!S FELLOW FORMER SMUGGLERS WE MUST BE FRANK WITH EACH OTHERv !ND IN EXCHANGE FOR A CASETTE RECORDER THE +UWAITI /IL -INISTER GAVE -R 2AJARATNAM A SMALL BOTTLE OF CRUDE OIL )T WAS AN IMPORTANT SYMBOLIC ASSURANCE THAT WE WOULD GET OUR SUPPLY OF OIL DESPITE OUR CLOSE TIES WITH )SRAEL ) ALSO REMEMBER FONDLY THE !RAB PHRASE h7HEN YOUR BROTHER IS RIGHT PRAISE HIM 7HEN YOUR BROTHER IS WRONG HELP HIMv )T IS SO PROFOUND &ROM #AIRO ) WAS CONCURRENTLY ACCREDITED AS #HARGE D!FFAIRES AI TO ,EBANON 9UGOSLAVIA 0AKISTAN AND %THIOPIA "EIRUT WAS hHEAVEN ON EARTHv AND "ELGRADE A PICTURE OF PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT UNDER -ARSHAL 4ITO /NE VISIT ) RECALL VIVIDLY WAS THAT OF THEN 0- ,EE TO #AIRO IN $ECEMBER 4HE VISIT WAS FOR lVE DAYS BUT WAS REDUCED DAYS BEFORE THE VISIT TO HOURS COINCIDING WITH THE TH BIRTHDAY OF 0RESIDENT !NWAR 3ADAT ON $ECEMBER 0- ,EE ARRIVED LATE ON #HRISTMAS %VE ) REMEMBER THE DAY WELL -Y SECOND SON WAS BORN IN 3INGAPORE HOURS BEFORE THAT 0- ,EE CONGRATULATED ME WHEN HE HEARD OF IT 7E WERE INFORMED BY THE %GYPTIAN &OREIGN -INISTRY THAT 0- ,EE WOULD BE ACCORDED A GUNS SALUTE NORMALLY RESERVED FOR (EADS OF 3TATE )N ANY EVENT NOT A SINGLE SHOT WAS HEARD WHEN 0- ,EE ARRIVED 4HE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN 0ROF ,EE 9ONG +IAT COMMENTED WRYLY h,OW #HOON -ING #ANT HEAR ANYTHING LAHv 4O MAKE MATTERS WORSE WE WAITED ALL DAY IN VAIN ON $ECEMBER FOR WORD FROM 3ADAT THAT HE WOULD MEET WITH 0- ,EE (E WAS AT
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-IT !BU +OM MILES FROM #AIRO CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY !LL DAY LONG WE WERE TOLD h)NSHAH !LLAH IT WOULD TAKE PLACEv "UT IT DIDNT 3TILL ) THOUGHT THE VISIT WAS A SUCCESS 4HREE YEARS LATER WHEN 0- ,EE VISITED #AIRO AGAIN HE ASKED ME WHY 3ADAT DID NOT RECEIVE HIM ON HIS PREVIOUS VISIT IN ) REPLIED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE HIS VISIT WAS CUT SHORT FROM lVE DAYS TO HOURS AND HE HAD ARRIVED ON 3ADATS BIRTHDAY 0- ,EE REPLIED h9OU ARE WRONG 4HE REAL REASON WAS BECAUSE ) TOLD HIS 0RIME -INISTER !ZIZ 3IDKY THAT %GYPT SHOULD SETTLE WITH )SRAELv
#HINA ! TRIP THAT ) RELISHED VERY MUCH WAS AS A MEMBER OF 0- ,EE +UAN 9EWS DELEGATION TO #HINA IN -AY 7E VISITED #ANTON 0EKING 3HANGHAI 7USIH 4ACHAI 9ENAN +WEILIN AND 3IAN 0- ,EE WAS THE lRST FOREIGN 6)0 TO BE SHOWN THE JUST UNEARTHED TERRACOTTA WARRIORS AT 3IAN #HAIRMAN -AO WAS STILL ALIVE BUT VERY UNWELL
,ONDON ,ONDON WAS A PRIZED POSTING ) TRULY ENJOYED MY STAY AND WORK THERE DESPITE THE hWINTER OF DISCONTENT IN nv WHEN GARBAGE WAS NOT COLLECTED FOR ALMOST FOUR MONTHS 4HE OFlCIALS AT THE "RITISH &OREIGN AND #OMMONWEALTH /FlCE WERE OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE COMPETENT AND HELPFUL !ND IT WAS TRULY FASCINATING TO WATCH 0RIME -INISTER -ARGARET 4HATCHER LEAD FROM THE FRONT )T WAS SAID THAT SHE WAS THE ONLY MAN IN THE #ABINET AT THE TIME
.OW KNOWN AS 'UILIN .OW KNOWN AS 8IAN
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!USTRALIA -Y &IRST 0OST AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER 7HEN ) GOT NEWS OF THIS APPOINTMENT IN !UGUST MY FAMILY AND ) WERE ON A DRIVING HOLIDAY IN 3COTLAND 7E COULD NOT STOP SINGING 7ALTZING -ATILDA 7E STAYED A TOTAL OF SIX YEARS IN !USTRALIA TILL $ECEMBER /NE EPISODE ) REMEMBER WELL WAS BEING INVITED BY 0RIME -INISTER -ALCOLM &RASER IN TO PROPOSE A TOAST ON BEHALF OF THE GUESTS AT THE -ELBOURNE 3COTS 3T !NDREWS $AY DINNER &RASER CALLED ME ON THE PHONE TO DO SO WHICH UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE HE ATTACHED TO THE OCCASION 4HE TRADITION WAS FOR EACH SPEAKER TO TRIGGER SEVERAL ROUNDS OF LAUGHTER IN REMARKS OF NO LONGER THAN lVE MINUTES EACH 4O BREAK THE ICE ) STARTED BY APOLOGISING FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO SPEAK WITH A 3COTTISH ACCENT ) FOLLOWED BY SAYING THAT UNLIKE 3IR *OHN -ASON THE "RITISH (IGH #OMMISSIONER WHO COULD CLAIM 3COT FROM HIS GRANDMOTHERS SIDE ) HAD NO SUCH CREDENTIAL 4HE ONLY TRACE OF 3COT IN ME WAS THE GOOD 3COTCH 7HISKY ) DRANK THAT EVENING 4HEN THERE WAS THE OCCASION IN WHEN !USTRALIA )) WITH ITS MUCH PUBLICISED SECRET KEEL WON THE !MERICAS #UP WHICH WAS HELD UNINTERRUPTEDLY FOR YEARS BY THE .EW 9ORK 9ACHT #LUB ) RECALL SEEING LIVE ON 46 CHAMPAGNE POURED OVER THE HEAD OF "OB (AWKE THE 0RIME -INISTER (E DULY DECLARED AN !USTRALIA WIDE PUBLIC HOLIDAY ) STILL HAVE THE 4 SHIRT WITH THE WORDS h)TS WHATS DOWN UNDER THAT COUNTSv
3OUTH EAST !SIA -Y SIX GOOD YEARS IN !USTRALIA WERE FOLLOWED BY A STINT OF THREE AND A HALF YEARS IN 3INGAPORE AS $IRECTOR OF THE 3OUTH EAST !SIA $IVISION AND THEN SIX AND A HALF FASCINATING AND CHALLENGING YEARS IN -ALAYSIA FROM n -ALAYSIA WAS 3INGAPORES MOST CHALLENGING DEMANDING AND SENSITIVE POST DURING MY YEARS THERE 4HOSE YEARS
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DEALING WITH !SIA HAS GIVEN ME A GOOD APPRECIATION OF AND FEEL FOR DEVELOPMENTS IN !SIA
#LOSE 3HAVES 4HERE WERE MANY CLOSE SHAVES IN MY CAREER ) SURVIVED THEM ALL
)NDIA 4HE lRST ONE WAS IN .EW $ELHI AT A DINNER THAT 0- ,EE WAS HOSTING IN HONOUR OF 0RIME -INISTER )NDIRA 'ANDHI IN 3EPTEMBER )NDIAN PROTOCOL REQUIRED THE HOST TO PRINT A SEATING PLAN FOR EACH OF THE GUESTS 0- ,EE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE THE PLAN WHICH WAS DELIVERED TO US BY THE PRINTER LESS THAN AN HOUR BEFORE THE FUNCTION BEGAN "UT BY MISTAKE HE WAS GIVEN A COPY AS HE ARRIVED FOR PRE DINNER DRINKS )T WAS JUST AS WELL THAT THAT HAPPENED (E TOOK ONE LOOK AT IT AND ASKED h7HY IS -RS 'ANDHI SEATED ON MY LEFT v (IGH #OMMISSIONER 0UNCH #OOMARASWAMY AND ) WENT INTO CONFERENCE 7E QUICKLY REALISED THAT THE PRINTER HAD MADE A hGHOST PRINTING ERRORv PLACING TYPESET LEFT TO RIGHT INSTEAD OF VICE VERSA 4HE PLACE CARDS WERE CALMLY AND QUICKLY RESHUFmED AND THE MAIN GUESTS ESCORTED TO THE TABLE PERSONALLY BY THE )NDIAN #HIEF OF 0ROTOCOL 0RITHI 3INGH AND ME TO THEIR CORRECTED SEATING (AD THE GUESTS TAKEN THEIR SEATS AS SHOWN IN THE PRINTED PLAN hHEADS WOULD HAVE ROLLEDv STARTING WITH MINE ) FELT MUCH RELIEVED THE WHOLE EVENING
+UALA ,UMPUR 4HE MOST RECENT CLOSE SHAVE WAS IN +UALA ,UMPUR ON .OVEMBER WHEN ) WAS TASKED TO DELIVER TO $AIM :AINUDDIN -ALAYSIAS &INANCE -INISTER THE 0OINTS OF !GREEMENT 0/! ON -ALAYAN 2AILWAY LAND DOCUMENTS FOR INITIALLING AND RETURN TO 3INGAPORE
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hMOST IMMEDIATELYv %VERYTHING RELATING TO THIS PROCESS HAD TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE 0- ,EE HANDED OVER THE PREMIERSHIP TO -R 'OH #HOK 4ONG THE NEXT DAY ON .OVEMBER 4HE 0/! WAS -R ,EES LAST ACT AS 0RIME -INISTER TO HAND OVER A CLEAN SLATE ON 3INGAPORE -ALAYSIA MATTERS TO HIS SUCCESSOR -R 'OH #HOK 4ONG !S WAS THE USUAL PRACTICE $AIM SAW ME ALONE IN HIS OFlCE hEMPAT MATAv !FTER A BRIEF CHAT $AIM TOOK THE DOCUMENTS TO HIS TABLE TO SIGN AND INITIAL ALL THE PAGES 7HEN HE HANDED THE DOCUMENTS BACK TO ME ) ASKED IF HE WOULD MIND IF ) CHECKED THROUGH THEM (E AGREED ) FOUND TWO PAGES NOT INITIALLED ) WOULD HAVE BEEN IN DEEP TROUBLE IF THIS OMISSION WAS NOT SPOTTED IN TIME AND THE DOCUMENTS WERE BROUGHT HOME TO 3INGAPORE BY THE COURIER )T WOULD HAVE TO BE RUSHED BACK TO +, FOR RE SIGNING BY $AIM IF HE WERE STILL IN +, )N THE EXTREME THE HANDOVER CEREMONY MIGHT WELL HAVE TO BE POSTPONED FOR THIS TASK TO BE COMPLETED -Y HEAD WOULD SURELY HAVE ROLLED ) WAS TRULY LUCKY TO SURVIVE THESE CLOSE SHAVES )N RETROSPECT IT WAS ALSO BECAUSE ) WAS GOOD AT THINKING ON MY FEET ,IKE MY GOOD FRIEND ,EE #HIONG 'IAM ) GREW UP IN (OUGANG lGHTING MY WAY UP THE LADDER OF LIFE
"E )NTERESTING ) HAVE OFTEN BEEN ASKED WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE ) EVER RECEIVED DURING MY &OREIGN 3ERVICE CAREER 5NDOUBTEDLY IT WAS FROM OUR THEN &OREIGN -INISTER -R 3 2AJARATNAM JUST BEFORE ) DEPARTED FOR #AIRO IN *ULY TO BE 3INGAPORES #HARGE D!FFAIRES AI AT OUR %MBASSY IN %GYPT ) WAS ANTICIPATING THE -INISTER TELLING ME TO hBE AWAREv OF CERTAIN HOT ISSUES AND TO hBEWAREv THE PITFALLS )NSTEAD HE ADVISED ME TO hBE INTERESTINGv !SKED TO ELABORATE HE REPLIED h)F YOU ARE NOT INTERESTING NO ONE WILL TALK TO YOU )N THAT CASE YOU WOULDNT BE MUCH OF A DIPLOMATv
-ALAY TERM TO MEAN hFOUR EYESv
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)N RETROSPECT ) COULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN A MORE FULlLLING CAREER THAN MY YEARS IN DIPLOMACY AS 3INGAPORES ENVOY 'EORGE 3EYMOUR AN ACCOMPLISHED #ANADIAN (IGH #OMMISSIONER IN +, AND BEFORE THAT IN 3INGAPORE DESCRIBED BEST THE DIPLOMATIC CAREER AT HIS RETIREMENT SPEECH IN +, IN THE MID S AS FOLLOWS h)N THIS JOB YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE ELITES OF EVERY SOCIETY &EW JOBS ARE AS PROFESSIONALLY REWARDING AND PERSONALLY FULlLLINGv -Y WIFE AND ) ARE NOW HAPPILY RETIRED 7E HAVE FRIENDS IN EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD 7E CATCH UP WITH SOME TO REMINISCE ABOUT THE SHARED EXPERIENCES IN OUR LIVES AND TO ENJOY BEING TOGETHER AGAIN !S REGARDS THE MANY OTHERS WE THINK OF THEM OFTEN AND WARMLY 4O QUOTE (AlZ A 0ERSIAN POET h x WHEN YOU PART FROM YOUR FRIEND GRIEVE NOT &OR THAT WHICH YOU LOVE MOST IN HIM MAY BE CLEARER IN HIS ABSENCE AS THE MOUNTAIN TO THE CLIMBER IS CLEARER FROM THE PLAINv
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3PEAKING 5P FOR 3INGAPORE -R 6ERGHESE -!4(%73 IS A 6ISITING 2ESEARCH &ELLOW AT THE )NSTITUTE OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 3TUDIES )3%!3 (E JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS IN -AY AND SERVED IN +UALA ,UMPUR ON THREE POSTINGS AS !TTACHÏ FROM TO AS 4HIRD 3ECRETARY FROM TO AND AS &IRST 3ECRETARY FROM TO (E ALSO SERVED IN *AKARTA FROM TO AND IN "ANGKOK FROM TO )N HE SET UP THE 3INGAPORE #ONSULATE IN *OHANNESBURG AND BECAME ITS #ONSUL FROM TO 7HEN THE #ONSULATE WAS UPGRADED TO A (IGH #OMMISSION AND RELOCATED TO 0RETORIA IN HE WAS APPOINTED AS ITS -INISTER #OUNSELLOR AND SERVED AS !CTING (IGH #OMMISSIONER UNTIL (E WAS $IRECTOR OF #ONSULAR FROM !PRIL TO -AY !PPOINTED AS 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO #AMBODIA ON *ULY HE COMPLETED HIS TERM OF OFlCE IN -ARCH AND RETIRED FROM PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE SAME MONTH )N *ULY HE JOINED )3%!3 WHERE HE WORKS ON ISSUES RELATED TO #AMBODIA
#HANGING 4EXTS DAILY ROUTINE FOR US THEN YOUNG DELEGATES TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY 5.'! SESSION IN WAS TO QUICKLY mIP THROUGH THE hINv AND hOUTv lLES OF THE PREVIOUS DAYS TELEXES BEFORE THE MANDATORY MORNING MEETING 4HERE WAS TIME FOR LEISURELY READING LATER 3OMETIMES HOWEVER A MESSAGE IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION AND YOU READ IT VERY CAREFULLY UNCONSCIOUSLY MEMORISING THE WORDS ) CLEARLY REMEMBER ONE FROM 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE h8v TO THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! (1 IN WHICH HE SIMPLY STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO DELIVER A PARTICULAR STATEMENT THE WAY IT HAD BEEN WORDED AND HE PROPOSED CERTAIN SUBSTANTIVE AMENDMENTS 4HE MESSAGE WAS NOT CONFRONTATIONAL BUT THERE WAS A CALM lNALITY ABOUT IT ) WAS NOT SURPRISED AT ALL BUT ) MUST ADMIT TO HAVING BEEN SOMEWHAT EXCITED
!
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) WAS VERY CERTAIN THAT THE ORIGINAL TEXT HAD BEEN APPROVED BY NO LESS THAN -INISTER 3 2AJARATNAM HIMSELF AN ASTUTE PRACTITIONER OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS A BOLD lGHTER FOR 3INGAPORES POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SPACE AND A WORDSMITH WITH A SHARP TONGUE TO MATCH -ORE THAN MOST THIS EX JOURNALIST UNDERSTOOD THE POTENCY OF POLITICAL STATEMENTS LIKE THE ONE IN QUESTION 4HE RESPONSE FROM HOME CAME SOON ENOUGH AND SIMPLY STATED IN AN EQUALLY DISPASSIONATE TONE THAT THE -INISTER HAD AGREED THAT THE !MBASSADOR COULD DELIVER THE STATEMENT AS AMENDED ) WAS AGAIN NOT SURPRISED AT THE RESPONSE 0ROPOSING AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION ARGUING AGAINST A PROPOSAL OR ADVANCING A BETTER FORMULATION OF PHRASEOLOGY WAS NOT AT ALL UNUSUAL IN -&! )T WAS PARDON THE CLICHE -&! CULTURE .EITHER WAS IT JUST THE AMBASSADORS AND THE HIGH mYERS WHO FORAYED INTO SUCH SACRED AREAS %VEN LOWLY DESK OFlCERS DID SO /NE EXAMPLE WOULD SUFlCE
-&! #ULTURE 7HEN WE WERE AT #ITY (ALL $IRECTORATE ) DESK OFlCERS ALL SIX OF US SAT IN A LARGE OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE -INISTER 2AJARATNAMS OFlCE 7E KNEW WHEN THE -INISTER CAME IN WHEN HE LEFT WHEN HE HAD HIS COFFEE AND WHO HIS VISITORS WERE 7E EACH HAD A TABLE AN ADDITIONAL CHAIR A TELEPHONE AND THE UBIQUITOUS IN OUT AND KIV TRAYS /H YES LEST ) FORGET TWO OF US SHARED A lLING CABINET AND REGRETTABLY THERE WERE NO PERSONAL COMPUTERS /UR IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR WAS AN !SSISTANT $IRECTOR !$ WHO WAS hSIKIT ATASv AND SAT IN A ROOM WITH THE $EPUTY $IRECTOR $$ /NE OF OUR CORE DUTIES AS SURELY IS THE CASE EVEN TODAY WAS TO PROCESS THE REPORTS PROPOSALS AND REQUESTS FROM OUR RESPECTIVE -ISSIONS /NE OF THE DESK OFlCERS HAD PROCESSED SUCH A REQUEST
! -ALAY EXPRESSION TO MEAN hHIGHER UPv
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AND BEING THE FREE SOUL THAT HE WAS HE NOT ONLY STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE REQUEST BUT HAD ADVANCED SOME EVEN MORE PERSUASIVE REASONS FOR ITS ADOPTION 4HE !$ CALLED THE FREE SOUL IN TO HIS ROOM STRATEGICALLY WHEN THE $$ WAS NOT AROUND AND INSTRUCTED THAT A FRESH SUBMISSION BE PUT UP ARGUING AGAINST THE REQUEST FROM THE -ISSION 4HE UNSMILING !$ AUTHORITATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO MERIT IN THE REQUEST 4HE DESK OFlCER REPEATED THAT THE REQUEST WAS NOT FRIVOLOUS AND THAT IF THE !$ FELT STRONGLY AGAINST IT HE SHOULD RECORD HIS VIEWS AND PASS THEM ON TO THE $$ 4HE !$ NOT ONE TO GIVE UP EASILY TOOK THE FAMILIAR CIVIL SERVICE TACK THAT THE lLE WOULD GO TO THE 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY AND THEN TO THE -INISTER AND IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR THE OFlCERS CAREER PROSPECTS IF EVERYBODY UP THE LINE DISMISSED HIS VIEW 4HE DESK OFlCER WAS POLITE BUT REFUSED TO AMEND HIS SUBMISSION 4HE INTERESTING POINT HERE IS THAT NONE OF US THE OTHER DESK OFlCERS OUTSIDE THE -INISTER 2AJARATNAMS OFlCE THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT THE EXCHANGE 7E DID NOT THINK OUR COLLEAGUE WAS A hHEROv FOR HAVING STOOD lRM 4HAT WAS WHAT WE EXPECTED OF HIM AND THAT WAS WHAT WE WOULD IN ALL PROBABILITY HAVE OURSELVES DONE &OR THE RECORD WE ALL THOUGHT THAT THE !$ WAS A CLASS ONE DIVISION ONE TWERP !S FOR THE FREE SOUL HE WENT ON SEVERAL LONG YEARS LATER TO BECOME AN !MBASSADOR 'OOD FOR HIM 'OOD FOR -&!
,ESSONS ,EARNT ) QUOTE THESE TWO INCIDENTS WITH A SINGULAR PURPOSE IN MIND TO SOMEHOW PUT ACROSS THAT THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF SPEAKING UP AN ACCEPTED -&! CULTURE HAD SERVED BOTH -&! AND 3INGAPORE WELL /UR LEADERS WERE GIANTS OF MEN WE ADMIRED THEM BUT WE REALISED THAT THEY WERE NOT INFALLIBLE AND SINCE IN SOME INSTANCES THEIR DECISIONS WERE BASED ON THE INFORMATION WE HAD PROVIDED THEM IT WAS INCUMBENT UPON US TO hGIVE IT AS IT IS WARTS AND ALLv 4HE BASIC PREMISE IS AND SHOULD BE THAT IT IS NOT FOR US TO SELF CENSOR
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) DO NOT MEAN TO BE JUDGMENTAL BUT ) FEAR THAT THERE HAS BEEN A PERCEPTIBLE DETERIORATION IN -&! AND THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE WHERE THIS CULTURE OF SPEAKING UP ANDOR OFFERING VIEWS AT VARIANCE WITH THOSE HELD BY THE LEADERSHIP HAS DISSIPATED ) WOULD LEAVE IT TO SOME LEARNED SOCIOLOGIST TO COME UP WITH THE VARIOUS REASONS FOR THIS GRADUAL TURN OF EVENTS ) WOULD NEVERTHELESS SUGGEST THAT ONE POSSIBLE REASON IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A NATIONAL TENDENCY TO FAVOUR hSAFE HANDSv THAT WOULD NOT ROCK THE PROVERBIAL BOAT AND THAT HAD THE ADDITIONAL UNCANNY ABILITY TO SECOND GUESS WHAT THE -INISTERS WERE THINKING 3OME 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARIES FELT COMFORTABLE HAVING SUCH hSAFE HANDSv AS DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGERS 5NFORTUNATELY FOR THE COUNTRY THE CHOSEN WERE NOT MEN TO CHAMPION ALTERNATE POLICIES OR ENCOURAGE THEM 4HEY INVARIABLY IN TURN PROMOTED OTHER hSAFE HANDSv AND THE VICIOUS CYCLE HAS CONTINUED UNABATED 'IVEN SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT ) WOULD THINK THAT IT IS GROSSLY UNFAIR TO EXPECT OUR YOUNGER OFlCERS TO BE LIKE MY FREE SOUL DESK OFlCER FRIEND (E WAS WORKING IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE SUGGESTING AN ALTERNATE VIEW WAS NEITHER A MORTAL SIN NOR SOMETHING HERETICAL OR SACRILEGIOUS 7E HAVE NOW SOME EXCELLENT NEW AND MID LEVEL OFlCERS SOME OF WHOM ) HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING 3EVERAL OF THEM HAVE lRE IN THEIR BELLIES AND IN SOME ) RECOGNISE MY FREE SOUL FRIEND 4HERE IS HOPE YET FOR -&! BUT THE YOUNGER OFlCERS MUST TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE ,IKEWISE THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP SHOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT TOP MANAGEMENT IN THE VARIOUS MINISTRIES PROVIDE THE ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE FOR YOUNGER OFlCERS TO EXERCISE THEIR CREATIVITY WITHOUT CAREER RELATED FEARS ) CAN ONLY ASSURE THE YOUNGER OFlCERS THAT ) AM CONlDENT THAT CHANGE IS TAKING PLACE THAT THEY WILL NOT FALL BY THE WAYSIDE AND THAT THE DAYS OF THE SYCOPHANTS ARE NEARING ITS IGNOMINIOUS END "UT THE YOUNGER OFlCERS NEED TO SPEAK UP AND BE COUNTED
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&ROM !CADEMIA TO $IPLOMACY AND "ACK 0ROFESSOR 0!.' %NG &ONG SERVED AS (EAD OF -ISSION IN 3EOUL "RUSSELS AND ,ONDON FROM TO !N ECONOMIST WITH AN EARNED DOCTORATE HE WAS $IRECTOR OF THE %CONOMIC 2ESEARCH #ENTRE IN THE .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE .53 FROM TO (E TAUGHT AT THE .53 "USINESS 3CHOOL FROM UNTIL WHEN HE WAS SECONDED TO THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS (E LEFT .53 IN TO JOIN THE 3INGAPORE -ANAGEMENT 5NIVERSITY WHERE HE IS A 0RACTICE 0ROFESSOR OF -ANAGEMENT AND THE $IRECTOR OF THE 7EE +IM 7EE #ENTRE AS WELL AS THE ,EE +ONG #HIAN 3CHOLARS 0ROGRAMME (E HAS ALSO BEEN A 6ISITING 0ROFESSOR IN THE 5NIVERSITY OF -ICHIGAN n AND #OLUMBIA 5NIVERSITY n (IS PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE &OREIGN )NVESTMENT AND )NDUSTRIALISATION IN -ALAYSIA 3INGAPORE 4AIWAN AND 4HAILAND WITH ,INDA ,IM AND 2EGIONALISATION AND ,ABOR &LOWS IN 0ACIlC !SIA BOTH BOOKS PUBLISHED BY THE /%#$ $EVELOPMENT #ENTRE
OT LONG AFTER ) ARRIVED IN 3EOUL IN LATE TO BE 3INGAPORES SECOND RESIDENT AMBASSADOR THERE THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS WERE INVITED TO LUNCH WITH THE TRADE MINISTER !T THE LUNCH ) WAS DIRECTED TO SIT AT THE HEAD TABLE TOGETHER WITH THE !MERICAN AMBASSADOR !S WE WERE LEAVING AFTER THE LUNCH ) OVERHEARD THAT SEVERAL HEADS OF MISSION WERE QUITE UNHAPPY WITH THE SEATING ARRANGEMENT /NE A CAREER DIPLOMAT SAID HE WAS GOING TO PROTEST TO THE &OREIGN -INISTRY )T SEEMED THE HOST MINISTRY HAD SEATED AT THE HEAD TABLE COUNTRIES WHICH HAD THE MOST BILATERAL TRADE WITH 3OUTH +OREA !S 3INGAPORE WAS ONE OF 3OUTH +OREAS TOP TEN TRADING PARTNERS ) WAS ACCORDED THE PRIVILEGE OF A PLACE AT THE HEAD TABLE 4HE INCIDENT WAS A REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTOCOL IN MANAGING RELATIONS AMONG STATES AND THEIR DIPLOMATIC AGENTS )T WAS ALSO UNINTENTIONALLY AN INDIRECT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ECONOMICS IN BILATERAL RELATIONS "Y THE TIME OF THIS MINOR hINCIDENTv ) HAD SETTLED INTO A ROUTINE OF RUNNING IN THE MORNING IN THE HILLS OF 3ONGBUKDONG NEAR THE
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RESIDENCE READING AND WRITING REPORTS RESPONDING TO (1 QUERIES ATTENDING BRIElNGS MEETING +OREAN OFlCIALS EXCHANGING NEWS AND GOSSIPING WITH OTHER DIPLOMATS AT SOCIAL FUNCTIONS RECEIVING VISITORS OFlCIALS FROM 3INGAPORE GETTING TOGETHER WITH 3INGAPOREANS LIVING IN 3EOUL AND CULTIVATING CONTACTS IN VARIOUS CIRCLES PARTICULARLY THE MEDIA THINK TANKS AND UNIVERSITIES !LL THESE ACTIVITIES EXCEPT RUNNING OF COURSE COULD BE CONSTRUED AS REPRESENTATIONAL AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE WORK OF PROMOTING 3INGAPORES INTERESTS AND ENHANCING ITS IMAGE -Y TRANSITION FROM ACADEMIA TO DIPLOMACY WAS MUCH EASIER AND SMOOTHER THAN ) HAD ENVISAGED BEFORE TAKING UP THE POST )NITIAL ANXIETIES ABOUT THE JOB AND PROTOCOL DIMINISHED AS FAMILIARITY STRIPPED DIPLOMACY OF ITS MYSTIQUE )N LARGE PART IT WAS BECAUSE OF WHAT MY PREDECESSOR AND THE MISSION HAD ACCOMPLISHED THERE WERE hPRECEDENTSv AND ESTABLISHED PRACTICES TO GUIDE A GREEN HEAD OF MISSION UNFAMILIAR WITH PROTOCOL AND THE WORK OF A RESIDENT MISSION )N PART IT WAS NOT DIFlCULT TO REPRESENT A COUNTRY THAT MANY +OREANS ADMIRED AS AN ORDERLY EFlCIENT CITY STATE WITH A CLEAN AND HONEST GOVERNMENT )N PART ALSO IT WAS BECAUSE 3OUTH +OREA BEING A #ONFUCIANIST COUNTRY VALUES EDUCATION AND ACCORDS HIGH STATUS TO UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS -Y BACKGROUND AS AN ECONOMIST WITH A KEEN INTEREST IN %AST !SIA ALSO HELPED AS DID THE ANALYTICAL SKILLS ) HAD ACQUIRED AS AN ACADEMIC "UT THE HABIT OF TIME INTENSIVE RESEARCH AND REmECTION THAT ACADEMIA PUT A PREMIUM ON HAD TO BE FOREGONE )N DIPLOMACY THE TIME HORIZON WAS MORE COMPRESSED ASSESSMENTS HAD TO BE MADE MORE QUICKLY WITHOUT THE BENElT OF A LONG CAREFUL STUDY 7ITH ITS FOCUS ON INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND DATA GATHERING ACADEMIA UNDERVALUED NEGOTIATING INTERPERSONAL AND TEAM BUILDING SKILLS WHICH ) LEARNT QUICKLY WERE INDISPENSABLE TO THE CRAFT OF DIPLOMACY ) LEARNT ALSO THAT IN DIPLOMACY FORM AND PROCESS WERE AS IMPORTANT AS OUTCOME AND PRODUCTIVITY WAS LESS TANGIBLE )N THE WORLD OF ACADEMIA ORIGINALITY AND NOVELTY OF IDEAS WERE APPLAUDED IF NOT ALWAYS REWARDED AND OUTPUT WAS MORE EASILY MEASURED IN QUANTITATIVE THOUGH NOT
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QUALITATIVE TERMS !NOTHER DIFFERENCE WAS THAT IN DIPLOMACY ONE WAS WORKING IN AN ORGANISATION TO ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF A COUNTRY )N ACADEMIA INSTITUTIONAL INTERESTS MATTERED LESS AND AN ACADEMIC COULD HAPPILY PURSUE HIS OWN INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL GOALS "UT THERE WERE SIMILARITIES TOO )N DIPLOMACY AS IN ACADEMIA DAILY ACTIVITIES THOUGH SOMETIMES STRESSFUL WERE LARGELY DEVOID OF DRAMA
+OREAN $RAMA "UT DRAMA THERE WAS ON THE LARGER +OREAN STAGE DURING THE YEAR AND A HALF ) SERVED IN 3EOUL #ONSISTENTLY UNPREDICTABLE .ORTH +OREA THREATENED TO UNLEASH hA SEA OF lREv ! BUILDING HOUSING A DEPARTMENT STORE COLLAPSED KILLING OVER lVE HUNDRED PEOPLE AND FREQUENT hRITUALISTICv DEMONSTRATIONS BY STUDENTS AND WORKERS SNARLED TRAFlC ADDING TO THE WOES OF COMMUTERS "UT THE MOST RIVETING AND UNFORGETTABLE SPECTACLE WAS THE hTRIAL OF THE CENTURYv IN LATE OF TWO FORMER +OREAN PRESIDENTS #HUN $OO (WAN AND 2OH 4AE 7OO /NCE THE MOST POWERFUL MEN IN THE COUNTRY CREDITED FOR PROVIDING THE POLITICAL STABILITY THAT ENABLED +OREAS EXTRAORDINARY ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION THEY WERE CHARGED WITH TREASON AND CORRUPTION AND APPEARED IN COURT IN WHITE PRISON UNIFORM THEIR HANDS CUFFED TOGETHER 4O SKEPTICAL OBSERVERS HOWEVER THE TRIAL WAS POLITICAL THEATRE THE RESULT OF THE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT +IM 9OUNG 3AM REVERSING AN EARLIER DECISION TO LEAVE UNEXAMINED +OREAS TRAUMATIC PAST 4O OTHERS INCLUDING THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OF THE +WANGJU UPRISING THE TRIAL WAS NECESSARY TO hRIGHT THE WRONGS OF HISTORYv AND BRING TO ACCOUNT THE GENERALS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT &ORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION WERE OUT OF THE QUESTION (ISTORICAL CRIMES HAD TO BE ADDRESSED lRST 7ATCHING THE POWERFUL 46 IMAGES OF THE TRIAL OF THE TWO PRESIDENTS AND TOP BUSINESS LEADERS WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR SLUSH FUNDS ) WAS NOT SURE WHETHER THE TRIAL WOULD PROVE TO BE CATHARTIC FOR THE +OREAN PEOPLE OR SIMPLY SET A PRECEDENT THAT
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WOULD HAUNT FUTURE LEADERS 7HATEVER ITS LONG TERM REPERCUSSIONS THE CONVICTION OF THE TWO PRESIDENTS FOR MILITARY MUTINY TREASON AND GRAFT IN !UGUST WAS CERTAINLY A DElNING MOMENT IN MODERN +OREAN HISTORY
%UROPE "RUSSELS .O SIMILAR DElNING MOMENT OCCURRED IN MY NEXT TWO POSTINGS "RUSSELS AND ,ONDON "RUSSELS SELF STYLED CAPITAL OF %UROPE WAS FULL OF QUIRKY CHARMS ITS ROADS UNCONGESTED ITS CUISINE DESCRIBED BY SOME AS &RENCH WITH 'ERMAN PORTIONS UNSURPASSED 'AINING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMPLEX %5 INSTITUTIONS AND ENGAGING THE ATTENTION OF ITS FUNCTIONARIES PREOCCUPIED WITH OTHER ISSUES ENLARGEMENT MONETARY UNION COMPLETION OF THE 3INGLE -ARKET WAS MUCH MORE CHALLENGING ESPECIALLY FOR DIPLOMATS FROM NON MEMBER %5 STATES 4HE %UROPEAN #OMMISSION APPEARED TO HAVE EVOLVED A VOCABULARY OF ITS OWN COMPREHENSIBLE TO INSIDERS BUT BEWILDERINGLY OPAQUE TO OUTSIDERS )T WAS NO WONDER THAT POLL AFTER POLL REVEALED A hDEMOCRATIC DElCITv A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE ELITES WHO SAW GREATER INTEGRATION AS INDISPENSABLE TO PEACE AND PROSPERITY ON THE CONTINENT AND THE CITIZENS IN MEMBER STATES WHO WERE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT JOBS AND HEALTHCARE AND THE LOSS OF THEIR NATIONAL IDENTITY 4HE &RENCH hNONv TO THE RATIlCATION OF THE PROPOSED %5 CONSTITUTION REmECTS IN PART THIS hDElCITv THE SETBACK IN &RANCE WILL LIKELY BE FOLLOWED IN OTHER COUNTRIES 4HE !SIA %UROPE 3UMMIT IN IN "ANGKOK HELPED FOCUS GREATER %5 ATTENTION ON !SIA %UROPEAN INTEREST IN !SIA FALTERED AFTER THE ONSET OF THE !SIAN #RISIS IN AND MANY !SIAN DIPLOMATS LEARNT A NEW WORD hSCHADENFREUDEv THE GLEEFUL JOY SOME %UROPEANS TOOK IN !SIAS MISFORTUNE WHEN THE REGIONS ECONOMIC BUBBLE BURST DUE IN PART TO CRONYISM AND CORRUPTION 7HEN THE
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%UROPEAN #OMMISSION WAS FORCED TO RESIGN EN MASSE IN EARLY BECAUSE ONE OF ITS MEMBERS WAS ACCUSED OF CRONYISM AND IRREGULARITIES A FEW !SIAN DIPLOMATS COULD NOT HELP BUT REMEMBER THE SAME WORD "RUSSELS IS UNIQUE AMONG 3INGAPORES RESIDENT MISSIONS )N ADDITION TO BEING ACCREDITED TO THE %5 THE MISSION IS ACCREDITED ALSO TO THE "ENELUX COUNTRIES AND THE (OLY 3EE !S A RESULT THE HEAD OF THE MISSION HAS THE PLEASURE OF PRESENTING HIS OR HER CREDENTIALS TO A KING "ELGIUM A QUEEN THE .ETHERLANDS A DUKE ,UXEMBOURG AND A POPE (OLY 3EE IN ADDITION TO A PRESIDENT %5
,ONDON )N SHARP CONTRAST TO "RUSSELS A CITY OF BUREAUCRATS LOBBY GROUPS AND DIPLOMATS ,ONDON IS A DYNAMIC MULTICULTURAL PLACE ENGAGED IN GLOBAL BUSINESS AND LIKE THE REST OF "RITAIN SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE PUSH ON THE CONTINENT FOR EVER GREATER %UROPEAN INTEGRATION 4HOUGH ,ONDON WAS ONLY TWO AND A HALF HOURS RIDE BY TRAIN FROM "RUSSELS ITS POLITICAL CULTURE AND ECONOMIC SPIRIT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFERENT 4O MOVE ACROSS THE %NGLISH #HANNEL TO WORK IN ONE OF OUR OLDEST MISSIONS FELT LIKE A JOURNEY TO A NEW WORLD 0ART OF THE WORK INCLUDED TAKING CARE OF A STEADY STREAM OF 6)0S AND OFlCIALS FROM 3INGAPORE )N A COUNTRY WITH WHICH 3INGAPORE HAS LONGSTANDING TIES AND MANY AFlNITIES THE WORK WAS A PLEASURE TO CARRY OUT .OTWITHSTANDING OUR HISTORICAL TIES SOME YOUNG 3INGAPOREANS KNOW LITTLE ABOUT OUR #OMMONWEALTH CONNECTIONS ) RECALL A BRIElNG ) GAVE IN OUR #HANCERY TO 3INGAPOREAN STUDENTS STUDYING IN THE 5+ $URING QUESTION TIME ONE ASKED ME WHEN THE (IGH #OMMISSION WAS GOING TO BE UPGRADED TO AN EMBASSY 2ETURNING TO ACADEMIA AFTER MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS ) lND THE SCENE GREATLY CHANGED *UST AS DIPLOMACY HAS HAD TO ADAPT TO GLOBAL CHANGES SO TOO HAVE UNIVERSITIES IN 3INGAPORE 4HE RESULT IS A MORE VIBRANT AND DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE THAT IS ALL TO THE GOOD OF A
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3INGAPORE SEEKING TO REINVENT ITSELF AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE 7HILE ) HAVE MISSED OUT ON DEVELOPMENTS IN MY RESEARCH AREA DURING THE YEARS AWAY THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE NETWORK OF CONTACTS ) HAD ACCUMULATED WHILE SERVING 3INGAPORE ABROAD ARE VALUABLE TO THE WORK ) DO NOW 4O HAVE PICKED UP A GOOD NUMBER OF STORIES ALONG THE WAY TO SHARE WITH COLLEAGUES AND STUDENTS IS A BONUS
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! 3OJOURN IN $IPLOMACY -R * 9 0),,!9 HAS BEEN THE #HAIRMAN OF THE 3INGAPORE %XCHANGE SINCE .OVEMBER (E STARTED HIS CAREER IN THE 'OVERNMENT OF 3INGAPORE IN AND WAS MADE 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY IN 7HEN HE RETIRED IN HE HAD SERVED IN THE -INISTRIES OF &INANCE $EFENCE AND .ATIONAL $EVELOPMENT AS WELL AS BEING -ANAGING $IRECTOR OF THE -ONETARY !UTHORITY OF 3INGAPORE AND THE 'OVERNMENT OF 3INGAPORE )NVESTMENT #ORPORATION 3ECONDARY APPOINTMENTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR INCLUDED THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF GOVERNMENT COMPANIES SUCH AS THE $EVELOPMENT "ANK OF 3INGAPORE 3INGAPORE !IRLINES AND 4EMASEK (OLDINGS (E NOW SERVES AS A -EMBER OF THE #OUNCIL OF 0RESIDENTIAL !DVISERS AND OF THE 0RESIDENTIAL #OUNCIL FOR -INORITY 2IGHTS OF THE 2EPUBLIC OF 3INGAPORE #HAIRMAN OF THE #OUNCIL ON #ORPORATE $ISCLOSURE AND 'OVERNANCE A "OARD $IRECTOR OF -OUNT !LVERNIA (OSPITAL #HAIRMAN OF !SSISI (OME AND (OSPICE A -EMBER OF THE )NVESTMENT #OMMITTEE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS 0ENSION &UND AND A -EMBER AND ,IFE 4RUSTEE OF THE 3INGAPORE )NDIAN $EVELOPMENT !SSOCIATION
UCH AS ) RESPECT THE PROFESSION OF DIPLOMACY ) HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED MYSELF A DIPLOMAT -AYBE A PSEUDO DIPLOMAT AT BEST ) HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CIVIL SERVANT A BUREAUCRAT OR APPARATCHIK PLODDING AWAY AT THE BEHEST OF MY MASTERS
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,ONDON !FTER &OUR $ECADES -Y BRIEF CAREER IN DIPLOMACY IF IT MAY BE TERMED THAT STARTED ON MY RETIREMENT FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE %VER THE DUTIFUL BUREAUCRAT ) OBEYED INSTRUCTIONS AND HEADED TO ,ONDON ) QUITE LOOKED FORWARD TO THE ASSIGNMENT ) HAD MANY HAPPY MEMORIES OF STUDENT DAYS IN ,ONDON IN THE GRIM S 7HEN ) ARRIVED IN ,ONDON AT THAT TIME THEY WERE STILL ISSUING RATION CARDS -ANY THINGS WERE IN SCARCE SUPPLY THE AIR WAS GRIMY WITH COAL lRED EVERYTHING AND THE
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BEHAVIOUR OF PEOPLE SEEMED VERY hCORRECTv FOR A YOUNG LAD FROM SUNNY 3INGAPORE OR -ALAYSIA WHERE ) HAILED FROM 4HE INTERVENING DECADES HAD CHANGED EVEN THE TRADITIONAL "RITISH 4HEY DISCOVERED PERMISSIVENESS IN THE S STRIKES AND MAYHEM IN THE S AND -ARGARET 4HATCHER IN THE S "Y THE MID S WHEN ) TURNED UP AT THE 3INGAPOREAN (IGH #OMMISSION 4HATCHERISM HAD TURNED THE ECONOMY AROUND AND THE "RITISH WERE LOOKING SUSPICIOUSLY AT THE IMPENDING NEW FANGLED 3INGLE #URRENCY THE %URO )N ANY EVENT THEY CHARACTERISTICALLY MISSED THE %URO BUS BUT DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE UNDULY SUFFERED FOR THEIR TARDINESS
7ORK IN (IGH #OMMISSION ) CONFESS ) HAD AN ENORMOUS RESPECT FOR MY COLLEAGUES IN THE (IGH #OMMISSION 4HEY EARNESTLY PLODDED AWAY AT THEIR lLES DESPATCHES AND REPORTS THEIR REPRESENTATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SO FORTH ) TRIED TO KEEP UP WITH THEM "UT BECAUSE OF MY LONG TIME BACKGROUND IN THE lNANCE MINISTRY ) WAS FASCINATED BY THE PROCESS OF %UROPEAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY INTEGRATION ) DO NOT KNOW WHAT GOOD MY PREOCCUPATION WITH THOSE MATTERS DID TO THE INTERESTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT SENT ME TO hLIE ABROADv !NYWAY WHENEVER (1 SOUGHT A REPORT ON THOSE MATTERS ) ENTHUSIASTICALLY COMPLIED )N RETROSPECT ) BELIEVE ) CAN SAY WITH A DEGREE OF IMMODESTY THAT ) WAS MORE OR LESS ON THE BALL
,EARNING FROM THE "RITISH 3YSTEM -Y CIVIL SERVICE BACKGROUND NATURALLY TURNED MY ATTENTION TO THE WORKINGS OF THE BUREAUCRACY IN "RITAIN )N 3INGAPORE WE ARE JUSTIlABLY PROUD OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR CIVIL SERVICE IN TERMS OF ITS EFlCIENCY EFlCACY AND PIONEERING INITIATIVES ) BELIEVE 3INGAPORE IS AHEAD OF "RITAIN IN TERMS OF EFlCACY 4HAT IS NOT SURPRISING AS 3INGAPORE HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF SMALL SIZE AND COMPACTNESS "UT
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THE "RITISH ARE NO LESS INNOVATIVE THAN WE ARE IN MANY AREAS 4HERE WAS MUCH TO BE STUDIED IN THEIR SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE (OW MUCH THAT ) LEARNED RUBBED OFF ON MY EX COLLEAGUES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ) DO NOT KNOW .OT MUCH ) SHOULD THINK )N ANY EVENT MANY OF OUR MINISTRIES HAVE ESTABLISHED GOOD RELATIONS WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE 5+ 4HERE WAS A CONSTANT STREAM OF VISITORS TO "RITAIN FROM OFlCIALDOM "ECAUSE OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND THE COMMON LANGUAGE THE VISITORS GENERALLY MANAGED ON THEIR OWN AND LEFT THE -ISSION IN PEACE 3O THERE CLEARLY WERE NOT TOO MANY PREOCCUPATIONS TO FORCE ME TO WORK mAT OUT "ESIDES ONE RESULT OF 3INGAPORES CHARACTERISTIC DECENTRALISED ADMINISTRATION WAS THE EXISTENCE OF A RAFT OF ORGANISATIONS EACH REPRESENTED BY ITS OWN OFlCE IN ,ONDON BEAVERING AWAY AT ITS DECLARED MISSION AND OBJECTIVES 4RADE INWARD INVESTMENT EVEN OUTWARD INVESTMENT TOURISM DEFENCE PROCUREMENT RECRUITMENT OF FOREIGN TALENT AND SO FORTH WERE ALL HANDLED BY THOSE EFlCIENT ORGANISATIONS 4HE THOUGHT DID OCCUR TO ME IN IDLE MOMENTS THAT PERHAPS ANY ONE OF THOSE ORGANISATIONS WAS PROBABLY ACHIEVING MORE FOR THE COMMON WEAL OF 3INGAPORE THAN EVEN THE EXALTED -ISSION "UT THAT THOUGHT DID NOT DISTURB ME FOR TOO LONG
4HINK 4ANKS IN ,ONDON /NE HAPPY RESULT OF THAT SITUATION WAS THAT ) COULD OCCASIONALLY SPEND AN ODD HOUR OR TWO AT ONE OF THE MANY THINK TANKS FOR WHICH ,ONDON IS RENOWNED ) WAS ASTONISHED AT HOW DISCIPLINED SOME OF THOSE SESSIONS WERE )N #HATHAM (OUSE FOR EXAMPLE THERE WAS A STRICT RULE THAT THE 3PEAKER HELD FORTH FOR HALF AN HOUR FOLLOWED BY 1! FOR ANOTHER HALF AN HOUR )N AN HOUR ALL WAS DONE 4HE ONLY TIME WHEN THAT RULE WAS BROKEN WAS WHEN THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF A CERTAIN COUNTRY CONTINUED IN FULL mOW WHEN THE HALF HOUR WAS UP ) DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG HE WENT ON FOR BECAUSE ) DISAPPEARED AFTER SIXTY MINUTES (E HAPPENED TO BE AN ACCOMPLISHED LAWYER AND MUCH
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OF THE LEGAL TECHNICALITIES HE DEALT WITH ON A REBELLION IN HIS COUNTRY WAS SOMEWHAT BEYOND MY KEN
! 3MALL 3TATES $IPLOMACY 4HE SPELL IN ,ONDON GAVE ME PLENTY OF TIME TO REmECT ON THE MEANING OF DIPLOMACY AND SPECIlCALLY THE PERFORMANCE OF 3INGAPOREAN DIPLOMACY "Y ANY YARDSTICK ) WOULD SAY 3INGAPORES DIPLOMATS HAVE ACHIEVED MUCH THROUGH SHEER DOGGEDNESS EXCELLENT CO ORDINATION AND PROBABLY INTELLECTUAL lREPOWER $IPLOMACY TODAY IS OF COURSE NOT WHAT IT WAS IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF IMMOBILITY THAT IS BEFORE JET AIRCRAFT )NTERNET FAX MACHINES OR EVEN TELEGRAPHY WERE INTRODUCED $IPLOMATS NOW HAVE TO PRACTISE THEIR TRADE WITHIN A RESTRICTED COMPASS 4HE HEAVY LIFTING IS DONE BY THE POLITICIANS )T IS INTERESTING TO SPECULATE ON WHETHER THAT SITUATION HAS HOBBLED THE SKILLS OF DIPLOMATS AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO BE PRINCIPALLY TACTICIANS AND PERHAPS OCCASIONALLY STRATEGISTS BUT NOT MOULD BREAKERS ) AM GRATEFUL TO -&! FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND THREE SALAD YEARS IN A CONGENIAL LOCATION !LL GOOD THINGS HAVE TO COME TO AN END ) WAS BROUGHT DOWN TO EARTH AND BACK TO MY CUSTOMARY HUNTING GROUND THE lNANCIAL SECTOR WHERE ) STILL RESIDE
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3TARTING FROM 3CRATCH -R 6 + 2!*!. IS AN !DVOCATE AND 3OLICITOR IN THE LAW lRM OF ' 2AMAN 0ARTNERS (E IS A 6ICE #HAIRMAN OF THE 3INGAPORE "USINESS &EDERATIONS )NTERNATIONAL #OMMITTEE A 4RAINER IN THE #IVIL 3ERVICE #OLLEGE AND A -EMBER OF THE .ATIONAL #OUNCIL !GAINST $RUG !BUSE (E ENTERED 3INGAPORE #IVIL 3ERVICE IN (E SERVED IN THE %XECUTIVE 3ERVICE THE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE AND THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE WITH POSTINGS IN SEVERAL -INISTRIES INCLUDING #ULTURE ,AW (EALTH $EFENCE THE /FlCE OF 4HE 0RESIDENT OF THE 2EPUBLIC AND &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND IN 3INGAPORE $IPLOMATIC -ISSIONS IN THE 5NITED +INGDOM !USTRALIA .EW :EALAND AND %GYPT $URING HIS TERM IN %GYPT HE WAS ALSO CONCURRENTLY (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO #YPRUS AND :IMBABWE AND !MBASSADOR TO THE 5NITED !RAB %MIRATES AND *ORDAN (E RETIRED IN AND WAS RE APPOINTED AS -ANAGEMENT #ONSULTANT TO THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS UP TO *UNE
"IRTH OF THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE HAT FATEFUL DAY !UGUST STARTED LIKE ANY OTHER AT THE THEN ,AND /FlCE IN #ITY (ALL WHERE ) WAS A $EPUTY #OLLECTOR OF ,AND 2EVENUE ) WAS HAVING A DIFlCULT TIME IN PERSUADING A SQUATTER TO QUIT THE 3TATE ,AND HE WAS OCCUPYING AND ) WAS NOT HAVING MUCH SUCCESS 3UDDENLY THE WHOLE OFlCE hEXPLODEDv WITH EXCITEMENT 4HE NEWS WENT ROUND LIKE A WILD lRE THAT 3INGAPORE HAD SEPARATED OR RATHER WAS EXPELLED FROM -ALAYSIA ,ATER IN THE AFTERNOON WE GATHERED AT THE 0ADANG TO HEAR THE 0ROCLAMATION OF 3INGAPORES INDEPENDENCE BY 0RIME -INISTER 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW FROM THE #ITY (ALL STEPS 4HUS THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS WAS BORN AND -R 3INATHAMBY 2AJARATNAM WHO WAS THEN -INISTER FOR #ULTURE BECAME THE &OREIGN
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-R 2AJARATNAM THE ARCHITECT OF 3INGAPORES FOREIGN POLICY EARNED MUCH RESPECT AND RECOGNITION FOR 3INGAPORE ) LEARNT MUCH DURING HIS STEWARDSHIP OF THE &OREIGN -INISTRY
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-INISTER OPERATING FROM THE SAME OFlCE ON THE RD mOOR IN #ITY (ALL 4HE -INISTRY REMAINED THERE UNTIL ITS MOVE TO 2AFmES #ITY IN ) WAS AMONG A SMALL GROUP OF OFlCERS WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR THE h&OREIGN 3ERVICEv NOT KNOWING MUCH OF WHAT IT ENTAILED OR HOW LONG IT WILL LAST (OWEVER WHAT WE LACKED IN KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WAS MORE THAN MATCHED BY THE EXCITEMENT AND THE IRON DETERMINATION TO DO OUR BEST FOR THE COUNTRY 4HERE WAS NO LUXURY OF TIME !S A NOVICE OR KUDA BARU AS WE USED TO SAY THEN ) WATCHED AND LEARNT FROM MY INTERACTIONS WITH EXPERIENCED FOREIGN DIPLOMATS BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD DURING POSTINGS ) SOON REALISED THAT BROADLY THERE WERE TWO TYPES OF DIPLOMATS ONE WHO THOUGH TRIM IN FORM CARED NOT MUCH FOR SUBSTANCE THE OTHER WHILE NOT LACKING IN FORM PAID MUCH ATTENTION TO SUBSTANCE AND THUS COMMANDED MORE RESPECT 4HE FORMER PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE WIDELY HELD BELIEF THAT DIPLOMATS WERE OUT TO ENJOY A GOOD LIFE AT THE TAXPAYERS EXPENSE )N THIS REGARD THE lRST 0RESIDENT OF THE 2EPUBLIC THE LATE 9USOF )SHAK WARNED US AT AN )STANA GARDEN PARTY THAT hGOOD TIME #HARLIEv ROLE WAS NOT FOR US 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW MADE THE SAME POINT DIFFERENTLY h5NLESS WE ARE SERIOUS NOBODY WILL TAKE US SERIOUSLYv
,EARNING &ROM /THERS !T lRST IT WAS LIKE BEING THROWN INTO THE DEEP END OF THE POOL HOPING THAT SOMEONE WILL ALSO TOSS A mOAT TO KEEP YOU FROM DROWNING WHILE YOU LEARNT TO PADDLE TO SAFETY 7E SOUGHT AND RECEIVED HELP FROM MAINLY #OMMONWEALTH MISSIONS )NDIAN "RITISH AND !USTRALIAN
)NITIALLY THERE WAS NO &OREIGN 3ERVICE AS SUCH /FlCERS FROM OTHER -INISTRIES AND $EPARTMENTS WERE SECONDED TO THE -INISTRY FOR hPOSTING TO OVERSEAS MISSIONSv +UDA BARU IN -ALAY MEANS hNEW HORSEv
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AMONGST THEM IN 3INGAPORE ) REMEMBER ATTENDING A SESSION CONDUCTED BY THE THEN !USTRALIAN (IGH #OMMISSIONER ) THINK HIS NAME WAS 0RITCHARD (E COVERED A LARGE AMOUNT OF GROUND IN GREAT DETAIL FROM THE DAY OF ARRIVAL IN THE HOST COUNTRY TO THE DAY OF DEPARTURE ON COMPLETION OF POSTING )N THE FOLLOWING YEARS HOWEVER THE -INISTRY SENT A NUMBER OF OFlCERS FOR ATTACHMENTS IN .EW $ELHI AND #ANBERRA TO GAIN lRST HAND EXPERIENCE IN OILING THE WHEELS OF DIPLOMACY 7E ALSO LOOKED AT THE -ALAYSIAN &OREIGN 3ERVICE 3CHEME AND ADOPTED AND ADAPTED SOME OF THE PROVISIONS THEREIN ESPECIALLY IN lXING OVERSEAS ALLOWANCE AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS 4HE -ALAYSIAN MISSIONS ABROAD ALSO HELPED US IN COUNTRIES WHERE WE WANTED TO ESTABLISH MISSIONS BY SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCE 7E ALSO RELIED ON THE -ALAYSIAN MISSIONS FOR EXAMPLE TO ISSUE VISAS FOR 3INGAPORE IN COUNTRIES WHERE WE WERE NOT REPRESENTED 4HIS ARRANGEMENT STILL CONTINUES TO EXIST IN SOME PLACES (AVING ANCHORED OUR FEET TO THE GROUND THE URGENT PRIORITY IN THE EARLY YEARS OF OUR INDEPENDENCE WAS TO SECURE A WIDER INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR 3INGAPORE NOT JUST BY LOBBYING ABROAD BUT ALSO BY STAGING IN 3INGAPORE A BIG HIGH POWERED AND HIGH LEVEL #ONFERENCE-EETING TO DRAW GLOBAL ATTENTION TO 3INGAPORES STATUS AS AN INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN NATION
/RGANISING THE &IRST (EADS OF 'OVERNMENT -EETING IN 3INGAPORE /NE EVENING SOME TIME IN ) WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE THE OFlCE AROUND PM WHEN -R #HIA #HEONG &OOK THEN $EPUTY 3ECRETARY AND LATER 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY TOLD ME THAT HE WAS SUMMONED BY 0- ,EE +UAN 9EW AND INSTRUCTED TO ORGANISE THE TH #OMMONWEALTH
4HESE MISSIONS WERE THEN #ONSULATES BUT WERE ELEVATED TO (IGH #OMMISSIONS AND IN THE CASE OF NON #OMMONWEALTH MISSIONS TO %MBASSIES ON !UGUST
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(EADS OF 'OVERNMENT -EETING #(/'- TO BE HELD IN 3INGAPORE FROM n *ANUARY 7ITHOUT HESITATION ) CONGRATULATED HIM FOR THE CONlDENCE THAT 0- ,EE HAD SHOWN IN HIM ) HAD SERVED UNDER -R #HIA IN ,ONDON WHEN HE WAS #OUNSELLOR THEN 4HE NEXT MORNING -R #HIA CALLED ME TO HIS OFlCE AND ASKED ME WHETHER ) HAD GIVEN ANY THOUGHTS AS TO HOW WE SHOULD GO ABOUT IT )T THEN DAWNED ON ME THE KIND OF ROLE HE HAD FOR ME ) THOUGHT THAT MY FATE WAS SEALED )T WAS A hDO OR DIE MISSIONv )F THERE WAS ANY COMFORT -R #HIA TOLD ME LATER THAT HE TOO SAW IT THE SAME WAY (OWEVER ) WAS ALSO VERY EXCITED AND ABOVE ALL HONOURED TO BE CHOSEN FOR THE TASK ) COULD ONLY ATTRIBUTE IT TO THE FACT THAT THAT DURING MY STINT AS !TTACHÏ !DMINISTRATION IN ,ONDON FROM TO ) GAINED SOME FAMILIARITY WITH TWO #OMMONWEALTH 0RIME -INISTERS #ONFERENCES WHICH OUR 0- ,EE HAD ATTENDED DURING THAT PERIOD AND PROBABLY ALSO TO THE FACT THAT ) WAS THE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ECRETARY TO THE h#OMMONWEALTH 3EMINAR ON THE #HANGING 0ATTERN IN THE #ONDUCT OF $IPLOMACYv HELD IN 3INGAPORE IN -ARCH 4HE TASK WAS DAUNTING NOT THE LEAST BECAUSE OF THE VERY TIGHT BUDGET CONSTRAINT LIMITED HOTEL ACCOMMODATION INSUFlCIENT TRANSPORT LACK OF CONFERENCE FACILITIES INADEQUATE MANPOWER AND OTHER LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS ON TOP OF INEXPERIENCE 7E PRODUCED QUICKLY A h0LAN OF !CTIONv AND WITH THE BLESSINGS OF THE 0RIME -INISTER AND THE &OREIGN -INISTER WE SET TO WORK KEEPING ONE EYE lRMLY lXED ON COSTS ! h0LENARY AND #OORDINATING #OMMITTEEv WAS FORMED CONSISTING OF -R 3 4 3TEWART 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS AS THE #HAIRMAN -R #HIA THE
)T WAS THE lRST TIME THE -EETING WAS HELD OUTSIDE ,ONDON 5NTIL THEN THE GATHERING WAS KNOWN AS #OMMONWEALTH 0RIME -INISTERS #ONFERENCE AND WAS HELD AT THE ORNATE -ARLBOROUGH (OUSE IN ,ONDON -R #HIA TOLD ME THAT WHEN 0- ,EE ASKED HIM WHO HE WANTED TO ASSIST HIM -R #HIA MENTIONED MY NAME AND THAT 0- ,EE APPROVED IT -R #HIA HAD ALSO ATTENDED THE TWO #OMMONWEALTH 0RIME -INISTERS #ONFERENCE IN ,ONDON HELD DURING THE PERIOD TO
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/RGANISING 3ECRETARY AND SEVERAL (EADS OF $EPARTMENTS FROM OTHER -INISTRIES$EPARTMENTS WHO EACH HEADED A SUB COMMITTEE ) WAS APPOINTED AS THE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ECRETARY 4HE SUB COMMITTEES INCLUDED &INANCE #ONFERENCE &ACILITIES 4RANSPORT (OSPITALITY AND !CCOMMODATION 0UBLICITY 3ECURITY (EALTH 3OCIAL 0ROGRAMME AND 0ROTOCOL AND ,IAISON 4HE #(/'- WAS TO BE HELD AT THE #ONFERENCE (ALL THE ONLY VENUE AVAILABLE THEN 4HE .ATIONAL 4RADES 5NION #ONGRESS .45# WHICH OCCUPIED ONE HALF OF THE BUILDING VERY KINDLY AGREED TO TEMPORARILY VACATE THE BUILDING FOR THE DURATION REQUIRED 7ITHOUT THIS GESTURE IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE THE FACILITIES FOR THE -EETING &INDING SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION WAS A BIG PROBLEM 7E HAD THEN ONLY A FEW HOTELS 4HE 2AFmES (ILTON AND 4HE 'OODWOOD 4HE 3HANGRI LA WAS THEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION 4HERE WERE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH PREMIER SUITES AVAILABLE FOR ALL (EADS OF $ELEGATION 7AYS HAD TO BE FOUND NOT TO OFFEND THE SENSITIVITIES OF DELEGATIONS AND SOOTH RUFmED FEATHERS IN THIS REGARD $ISCREET AND INNOVATIVE METHODS WERE ADOPTED TO ADMINISTER THE HOSPITALITY SCHEME 4RANSPORT ALSO PRESENTED A BIG CHALLENGE 4HERE WERE NOT ENOUGH SUITABLE CARS 7E APPROACHED #YCLE #ARRIAGE FOR HELP 4HE #OMPANY PROVIDED ON LOAN ABOUT -ERCEDES CARS STRAIGHT FROM THE ASSEMBLY LINE FOR USE BY THE DELEGATIONS 4HE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE -).$%& PROVIDED 3INGAPORE !RMED &ORCES OFlCERS WHO WERE GIVEN A CRASH COURSE IN DRIVING THE VEHICLES AND FAMILIARISATION TOURS OF THE RELEVANT ROUTES !T THE END OF THE -EETING THE CARS WERE SOLD TO THE PUBLIC BY #YCLE #ARRIAGE )T HAD NO PROBLEM AS THERE WAS A LONG WAITING LIST FOR THEM !S REGARDS THE FACILITIES IN THE #ONFERENCE (ALL MUCH OF WHAT WAS REQUIRED DID NOT EXIST ! LONG OVAL TABLE WITH A WELL IN THE MIDDLE FOR mORAL DECORATION AND BIG ENOUGH TO SEAT ABOUT (EADS OF $ELEGATION AND THE #OMMONWEALTH 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL HAD TO BE DESIGNED !BOUT CHAIRS OF DIFFERENT TYPES FOR (EADS OF $ELEGATION AND DELEGATES WERE ALSO SIMILARLY DESIGNED ! lRM DEALING IN FURNITURE
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WAS COMMISSIONED TO MAKE THEM 0ROTOTYPES WERE MADE TESTED AND SUBMITTED FOR 0RIME -INISTERS APPROVAL BEFORE WE WENT INTO PRODUCTION 4HIS WAS A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT 4HE FURNITURE BECAME VERY USEFUL FOR SUBSEQUENT LARGE MEETINGSCONFERENCES 4HE $OCUMENTS #ENTRE WAS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE -EETING )N THOSE DAYS WORD PROCESSING WAS NOT HEARD OF /UR TEAM OF FAST AND ACCURATE STENOGRAPHERS AND TYPISTS USED TYPEWRITERS TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTS 4HEY hCUT STENCILSv ON THE TYPEWRITER TO MAKE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF COPIES USING THE DUPLICATING MACHINE )T WAS LABORIOUS AND SOMETIMES A MESSY TASK 9ET THE QUALITY PRODUCT THEY DELIVERED ON TIME DID NOT GO UNNOTICED BY THE DELEGATES )N THOSE DAYS COMMUNICATION FACILITIES WERE NOT AS DEVELOPED AS IT IS TODAY 7E HAD TO ASSURE THE (EADS OF 'OVERNMENT THAT OUR FACILITIES WERE MORE THAN ADEQUATE FOR THEM TO KEEP IN CONTINUOUS CONTACT WITH PEOPLE AND EVENTS AT HOME 3UBSCRIBER 4RUNK $IALING )$$ CAME LATER WAS INSTALLED AT THE HOTEL SUITES AND AT THE #ONFERENCE (ALL BOTH FOR DELEGATES AND THE JOURNALISTS COVERING
)N THOSE DAYS THE #ENTRAL 3UPPLIES /FlCE #3/ SUPPLIED ALL THE FURNITURE REQUIRED BY 'OVERNMENT -INISTRIES$EPARTMENTS 4HEY WERE STANDARD ISSUES 3ENIOR OFlCERS WERE ALLOTTED WOODEN CHAIRS WITH ARMREST AND ALL OTHERS CHAIRS WITHOUT ARMREST 4HEY WERE MADE BY #3/ WITH ITS OWN MANPOWER AT ITS DEPOT IN +ANDANG +ERBAU "ROKEN FURNITURE WAS ALSO SENT THERE TO BE REPAIRED AND RETURNED 4HESE CHAIRS WERE NOT SUITABLE FOR THE -EETING /N THE TYPEWRITER ONE COULD MAKE ONE ORIGINAL AND ABOUT OR LEGIBLE CARBON COPIES BY USING CARBON PAPER (ENCE THE TERM hCARBON COPYv 4HIS TERM CURIOUSLY IS STILL IN USE )F ONE KEY WAS STRUCK WRONGLY THE TYPIST HAD TO USE AN ERASER AND ERASE THE ERROR NEATLY )T WAS EVEN MORE LABORIOUS IF THE MISTAKE WAS MADE WHEN CUTTING THE STENCIL 4HE TYPEWRITER KEY LITERALLY CUT THE STENCIL TO MAKE THE INDENT AND CORRECTING mUID WAS USED TO lLL THE INDENT AND ALLOWED TO DRY BEFORE TYPING OVER IT 4HE STENCIL WHEN LOADED ON THE DUPLICATING MACHINE HAD TO BE INKED NOT TOO MUCH AND NOT TOO LITTLE TO PRODUCE NEAT AND CLEAR COPIES 4HE STENCIL COULD PRODUCE ON THE AVERAGE TO COPIES 0RESIDENT -ILTON /BOTE OF 5GANDA WAS OUSTED FROM POWER BY AN ARMY 3ERGEANT )DI !MIN TOWARDS THE CLOSING STAGES OF THE -EETING $R /BOTE WENT TO 4ANZANIA WHERE HE SPENT A LONG PERIOD IN EXILE BEFORE RETURNING HOME !CCORDING TO ONE ACCOUNT /BOTE WAS IN DAILY TELEPHONE CONTACT WITH +AMPALA BUT HIS ORDER TO ARREST )DI !MIN WAS INTERCEPTED BY )DI !MIN WITH THE HELP OF HIS FRIENDLY TELEPHONE OPERATOR BEFORE /BOTES LOYAL 'ENERALS COULD ACT 7HAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS IN 5GANDA IS WELL KNOWN
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THE EVENT $ISCREET ARRANGEMENTS WERE ALSO PUT IN PLACE TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF THE CALLS 4HE FASTEST MEANS OF SENDING NEWS THEN WAS BY TELEXTELEPRINTER 4HERE WAS NO EMAIL NO FAX NO #.. AND NO ""# 46 7ORLD 3ERVICE 4HERE WAS ""# RADIO WORLD BROADCAST BUT ITS RECEPTION IN A GIVEN AREA DEPENDED ON PREVAILING ATMOSPHERICS !N OFlCER FROM THE 0UBLICITY #OMMITTEE WOULD ALERT DELEGATIONS OF WIRE SERVICE REPORTS RELEVANT TO THEM 3ECURITY WAS NOT SUCH A NIGHTMARE AS IT IS TODAY WORLDWIDE %VEN SO WE COULD NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY THEN /UR SECURITY MEN AND WOMEN WERE THOROUGH PROFESSIONAL AND EXECUTED THE TASK UNOBTRUSIVELY 4HEY HAD NO X RAY MACHINES HANDHELD METAL DETECTORS AND OTHER SOPHISTICATED DEVICES THAT ARE SO COMMONPLACE TODAY %VERYTHING IN THIS REGARD HAD TO BE DONE PHYSICALLY AND VISUALLY SOMETIMES WITH THE HELP OF THE EVER FAITHFUL AND DEDICATED CANINE FRIENDS 4HEY HAD A BETTER NOSE FOR THE TASK IN HAND THAN MANY OF US 4HE DELEGATES NOTED THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THE SECURITY PERSONNEL 4HE ,IAISON /FlCERS CAME FROM THE -INISTRY OF %DUCATION AND THEY WERE MOSTLY TEACHERS 4HEY WERE GIVEN A SHORT TRAINING COURSE TO GIVE THEM AS MUCH BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE AS POSSIBLE EG THE GEOGRAPHY NATURE OF GOVERNMENT CULTURE AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE (EADS OF $ELEGATION OF THE COUNTRIES TO WHICH THEY WOULD BE ATTACHED 4HE INFORMATION REQUIRED WAS GATHERED BY RESEARCH AND THROUGH CORRESPONDENCE WITH RELEVANT AUTHORITIES )N THOSE DAYS THERE WERE NO COMPUTERS AND NO WEB SITES 4HE ,IAISON /FlCERS WERE ALSO GIVEN BRIElNGS ON BASIC PROTOCOL !T THE BEGINNING MANY OF THEM WERE APPREHENSIVE SOME OTHERS WERE NERVOUS AT THE VERY THOUGHT OF COMING INTO CONTACT WITH 0RIME -INISTERS AND 0RESIDENTS (OWEVER THEY DID VERY WELL AND EARNED THE RESPECT OF THE DELEGATIONS THEY WERE ATTACHED TO
#REATING 'OOD )MPRESSIONS OF 3INGAPORE %VEN THE TAKING OF THE TRADITIONAL GROUP PHOTOGRAPH OF THE (EADS OF $ELEGATION REQUIRED SOME SPECIAL THINKING AND EFFORTS 7E WANTED TO
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SHOWCASE OUR BUSTLING 0ORT AND 3INGAPORE AS A MARITIME CENTRE 4HE PROBLEM WAS THE PHOTOGRAPH HAD TO BE TAKEN AT THE -EETING VENUE AND THE 0ORT WAS LOCATED ELSEWHERE 4HEREFORE SHIPS WERE TOWED INTO WATERS FRONTING #ONFERENCE (ALL TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE BACKDROP 4EAM SPIRIT AND ENTHUSIASM IN TACKLING THE PROBLEMS WERE MUCH IN EVIDENCE ) WAS THE ONLY MEMBER FULLTIME ON THE JOB !LL OTHERS IN THE #OMMITTEE HAD THEIR OWN ONEROUS SCHEDULES AS (EADS OF $EPARTMENTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE -INISTRIES IN ADDITION TO THEIR 3UB #OMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES 7E WORKED LONG HOURS AND ON SOME DAYS WORKED ROUND THE CLOCK ESPECIALLY NEARER THE DATE OF THE -EETING 4HERE WAS NO MONETARY ALLOWANCE OR HONORARIUM .EITHER DID WE EXPECT IT (OWEVER THIS HARD WORK ALONE COULD NOT HAVE GUARANTEED THE SUCCESS OF THE PROCEEDINGS -UCH DEPENDED ON THE #HAIRMAN OF THE -EETING 0- ,EES VERY EFFECTIVE ROLE IN THIS REGARD WAS UNANIMOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED 4HE #OMMONWEALTH ALSO ACHIEVED A MAJOR MILESTONE AT THIS -EETING h4HE #OMMONWEALTH $ECLARATIONv ! VAST MAJORITY OF THE DELEGATES CAME TO 3INGAPORE FOR THE lRST TIME AND THEY WERE MUCH IMPRESSED WITH WHAT THEY SAW THE CLEANLINESS DISCIPLINE GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NO -24 THEN PUBLIC HOUSING AIRPORT CLEARANCE AT 0AYA ,EBAR !IRPORT BEFORE #HANGI IN SHORT WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME FROM SELF GOVERNMENT IN AND SINCE INDEPENDENCE IN ) BELIEVE 3INGAPORE ACHIEVED MUCH NEEDED INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION AND RECOGNITION THROUGH HOSTING THE #(/'- 4HE EXPERIENCE GAINED WAS VALUABLE AND HELPED TO ENGENDER CONlDENCE NEEDED TO BID FOR OTHER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EVENTS )T WAS ALSO AN EARLY DEMONSTRATION OF h3INGAPORE )NCv
) RECALL THAT THE (EADS OF $ELEGATION UNANIMOUSLY WANTED TO COMMEMORATE THE EVENT IN 3INGAPORE BY NAMING IT h4HE 3INGAPORE $ECLARATIONv 4HE #HAIRMAN HOWEVER POLITELY DECLINED AND INSISTED THAT IT SHOULD BE h4HE #OMMONWEALTH $ECLARATIONv
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0ERSONALLY IT WAS A REWARDING EXPERIENCE WHICH CAME IN USEFUL IN SUBSEQUENT PHASES OF MY CAREER ) AM INDEBTED TO -R #HIA FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THE GREAT TEAM CONSISTING OF SO MANY OFlCERS DRAWN FROM ALMOST ALL THE THEN -INISTRIES
!N 5NINVITED 'UEST 7E ALSO HAD MANY FUNNY INCIDENTS THAT PROVIDED SOME COMIC RELIEF ) RECALL ONE SUCH INCIDENT WHICH WAS NOT FUNNY AT ALL AT THAT TIME "Y THE EVENING ON THE EVE OF THE -EETING THE THEN !CTING $IRECTOR OF "OTANIC 'ARDENS -R ! ' !LPHONSO HAD COMPLETED TOGETHER WITH HIS WORKFORCE THE TEDIOUS AND PAINSTAKING TASK OF TRANSFORMING THE #ONFERENCE (ALL INTO A mORAL BEAUTY TO PROJECT THE 'ARDEN #ITY REPUTATION OF 3INGAPORE (E HAD GROWN AND NURTURED THOUSANDS OF PLANTS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS CAREFULLY TIMING THEM TO BLOOM JUST BEFORE THE -EETING /NE COULD SAY THAT IT WAS HIS lNEST HOUR !FTER A LONG AND PARTICULARLY TIRING DAY AND NIGHT WE WERE GETTING READY TO LOCK UP THE PREMISES BEFORE MIDNIGHT AND HAND IT OVER TO THE SECURITY *UST THEN WE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE IN THE 0LENARY (ALL 7E WERE STUNNED TO DISCOVER THAT THERE WAS AN UNINVITED GUEST A FROG HIDDEN SOMEWHERE AMONG THE SEVERAL HUNDRED mOWERPOTS 7E WERE PETRIlED BECAUSE IN ABOUT NINE HOURS THE -EETING WAS TO BEGIN )MMEDIATELY ALL AVAILABLE HANDS CAME ON DECK $ELICATELY PAINSTAKINGLY AND METHODICALLY WE STARTED TO CHECK EACH AND EVERY mOWERPOT 7E MANAGED TO CATCH THE CULPRIT SOME THREE OR FOUR HOURS LATER AND COMPLETED THE JOB WITH ABOUT THREE HOURS TO SPARE )N A WAY WE WERE THANKFUL TO THE FROG (AD IT STAYED SILENT THEN AND MADE ITS PRESENCE FELT LATER DURING THE 0LENARY 3ESSION SOME OF US WOULD HAVE BEEN IN BIG TROUBLE 7E WERE ALSO LUCKY THAT THE FROG DECIDED ON A SOLO VISIT TO THE #ONFERENCE (ALL UNINVITED AS IT WAS AND DID NOT BRING A COMPANION %VEN TO THIS DAY WHEN SOME OF US MEET OCCASIONALLY WE REMINISCE ABOUT THOSE DAYS BUT THE GROUP IS GETTING SMALLER 0ASSAGE OF TIME HAS TAKEN ITS TOLL
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4HE )MPORTANCE OF &RIENDSHIPS IN $IPLOMACY -R 2)$:7!. BIN (AJI $ZAlR IS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO "ANGLADESH AND CONCURRENTLY #ONSULTANT TO THE &OREIGN -INISTRY (IS CIVIL SERVICE CAREER STARTED IN THE #USTOMS %XCISE $EPARTMENT IN AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PROMOTED TO THE 3INGAPORE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE IN &ROM TO HE WAS 3INGAPORES 4RADE AND #ULTURAL 2EPRESENTATIVE IN *AKARTA 5PON JOINING THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE HE WAS POSTED TO +UALA ,UMPUR AND LATER TO *AKARTA FROM TO (E WAS $EPUTY 3ECRETARY OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS IN AND RETURNED TO THE 4RADE $IVISION TO BECOME ITS $IRECTOR FROM TO )N *ANUARY HE SERVED AS $IRECTOR 'ENERAL OF THE 4RADE $EVELOPMENT "OARD UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN *ANUARY &ROM TO HE WAS .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR TO !RGENTINA "RAZIL #HILE AND 0ANAMA (E HAS SERVED ON MANY PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR BOARDS (E ALSO SITS ON THE #OUNCIL OF 0RESIDENTIAL !DVISERS AND 0RESIDENTIAL #OUNCIL FOR -INORITY 2IGHTS (E HAS RECEIVED AWARDS AND DECORATIONS FROM THE 3INGAPORE AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS
Y POSTING TO THE 4RADE $IVISION IN WAS THE TURNING POINT IN MY CIVIL SERVICE ) WAS INVOLVED IN MEETINGS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THE BUSINESS COMMUNITIES VISITING TRADE MISSIONS LEADING MISSIONS OVERSEAS AND PARTICIPATING IN REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS 0RIOR TO INDEPENDENCE 3INGAPORE HELD CONSULTATIONS WITH )NDONESIA TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES CULMINATING IN THE SIGNING OF THE "ASIC !RRANGEMENTS ON %CONOMIC AND 4RADE 2ELATIONS IN EARLY 4HIS TOOK PLACE JUST BEFORE MY POSTING TO *AKARTA AS !SSISTANT 4RADE AND #ULTURAL 2EPRESENTATIVE FROM !UGUST TO $ECEMBER 4HE EXPOSURE ) HAD WHEN SERVING IN THE 4RADE $IVISION PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO ACQUIRE THE ART AND SKILLS IN DEALING WITH PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS
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MINISTRIES BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOREIGN DIPLOMATS AND JOURNALISTS IN *AKARTA
3TAYING "EHIND )NDONESIA DID NOT RECEIVE FAVOURABLY THE FORMATION OF -ALAYSIA AND THIS LED TO THE SUSPENSION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS 4HE -ALAYSIAN EMBASSY HAD TO CLOSE DOWN AND +UALA ,UMPUR +, INSTRUCTED THAT -ALAYSIANS INCLUDING STAFF OF THE 3INGAPORE /FlCE WERE TO RETURN BY THE lRST mIGHT AVAILABLE /N THE ADVICE OF THE 'OVERNMENT THE 3INGAPORE STAFF REMAINED BEHIND BUT SENT THE WIVES AND CHILDREN HOME BECAUSE OF THE WORSENING SITUATION 7E WITNESSED THE RANSACKING OF THE -ALAYSIAN CHANCERY AND RESIDENCES AND THE BURNING OF THE "RITISH CHANCERY 7E WERE BUSY DESTROYING THE CLASSIlED DOCUMENTS IN THE OFlCE !T THAT TIME )NDONESIA HALTED ALL mIGHTS TO 3INGAPORE 4HE "RITISH ARRANGED FOR THE 2OYAL !IR &ORCE TO EVACUATE 3INGAPOREANS 7E INFORMED THEM OF OUR DECISION TO REMAIN BEHIND 4HE 5NITED 3TATES EMBASSY WARNED THAT THE SITUATION WAS CRITICAL AND ADVISED US TO MOVE OUT OF OUR RESIDENCES )N FACT DEMONSTRATORS CAME TO MY RESIDENCE IN +EBAYORAN "ARU SHOUTING h'ANJANG -ALAYSIAv 4HE NEIGHBOURS TOLD THEM THAT ) WAS A 3INGAPOREAN 4HE DEMONSTRATORS ON SEEING MY "RITISH 0ASSPORT LEFT THE SCENE "ANK )NDONESIA THEN OFFERED US TWO BUNGALOWS IN THEIR RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX TO STAY 4HESE WERE CONCRETE TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF FRIENDSHIP IN TIMES OF DIFlCULTIES ! JOURNALIST LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE 3INGAPORE /FlCE WAS STILL FUNCTIONING /N THE NEXT DAY THE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS EXPRESSED SURPRISE THAT THE 3INGAPORE /FlCE WAS STILL AROUND DESPITE THE SUSPENSION OF $IPLOMATIC 2ELATIONS ) WAS CALLED UP BY THE &OREIGN -INISTER WHO ORDERED THE 3INGAPORE /FlCE BE CLOSED AND ALL THE 3INGAPORE STAFF TO LEAVE
#RUSH -ALAYSIA
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3PECIAL PERMISSION WAS GIVEN FOR A *APAN !IRLINE mIGHT TO mY DIRECTLY TO 3INGAPORE )T WAS A TRULY EXCITING EXPERIENCE
3ETTING UP THE (IGH #OMMISSION IN +UALA ,UMPUR -EANWHILE PROBLEMS HAD ARISEN OVER 3INGAPORES STATUS IN -ALAYSIA AND AFTER INTENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS IT WAS DECIDED THAT 3INGAPORE SEPARATE FROM -ALAYSIA AND BE AN INDEPENDENT NATION ) WAS LEADING A 4IMBER -ISSION TO 3ARAWAK AND 3ABAH $URING THE STOPOVER IN "RUNEI ) RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS TO RETURN TO 3INGAPORE IMMEDIATELY FOR POSTING TO +, TO ESTABLISH THE (IGH #OMMISSION 4HE 4EMASEK (OUSE GARAGE WAS OUR CHANCERY UNTIL WE MOVED TO THE 3TRAITS "UILDING IN THE HEART OF +, &RIENDS IN THE -ALAYSIAN MINISTRIES WHO WERE CONTEMPORARIES IN THE 5NIVERSITY OF -ALAYA IN 3INGAPORE WERE HELPFUL -Y ASSIGNMENT IN +, WAS A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE AS THE ENVIRONMENT AND LIFESTYLE WERE SIMILAR TO 3INGAPORE
2ETURNING TO *AKARTA 7HEN 3INGAPORE ATTAINED INDEPENDENCE IN !UGUST DISCUSSIONS WERE INITIATED BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND )NDONESIA )T WAS THEN AGREED THAT BOTH PARTIES WOULD APPOINT ,IAISON /FlCERS AS A PRO TEM MEASURE TO REPRESENT THEM IN THE TWO CAPITALS )NDONESIA SENT HER LIAISON OFlCER lRST ) WAS THEN RECALLED FROM +, FOR POSTING TO *AKARTA AS 3INGAPORES ,IAISON /FlCER 3UBSEQUENTLY 3INGAPORE DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN *AKARTA AND ) ASSUMED DUTY AS #OUNSELLOR CUM #HARGE D!FFAIRES ) HAD TO EXTEND MY NETWORK WITH THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND DIPLOMATIC -ISSIONS IN *AKARTA 7ITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE SUBSTANTIVE AMBASSADOR IN *AKARTA ) RETURNED TO 3INGAPORE -Y TWO ASSIGNMENTS IN )NDONESIA WERE INDEED A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
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"EING AN .2! 4HE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS INTRODUCED THE .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR .2! SCHEME TO OVERCOME THE SHORTAGE OF AMBASSADORS ) WAS APPOINTED AS AN .2! TO COVER !RGENTINA "RAZIL #HILE AND 0ANAMA /N MY TRIPS TO THESE COUNTRIES ) WOULD ORGANISE TRADE MISSIONS AND HAVE 3INGAPORE PARTICIPATE IN SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 7ITH ABUNDANT SUPPLIES OF MINERALS lSHERIES AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY PRODUCTS THE 3OUTH !MERICAN COUNTRIES HAVE BEGUN TO LOOK AT !SIA ESPECIALLY #HINA AND )NDIA AS A POTENTIALLY HUGE MARKET FOR THEIR PRODUCTS (OWEVER THE 5NITED 3TATES %UROPE AND THEIR NEIGHBOURS IN 3OUTH !MERICA CONTINUED TO BE THEIR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS 7ITH MY CURRENT APPOINTMENT AS A NON RESIDENT (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO "ANGLADESH ) CONTINUE WITH THE PRACTICE OF BRINGING ALONG GROUPS OF BUSINESSMEN TO EXPLORE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND TRADE EXPANSION "ANGLADESH IS 3INGAPORES SECOND LARGEST TRADING PARTNER IN 3OUTH !SIA )N "ANGLADESHS EXPORTS TO 3INGAPORE REACHED 3 MILLION AND 3INGAPORES EXPORTS TO "ANGLADESH REACHED 3 MILLION 3INGAPORE IS ALSO A SIGNIlCANT INVESTOR IN "ANGLADESH ESPECIALLY IN THE LIGHT MANUFACTURING AGRO PROCESSING AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SECTORS !S THE TH LARGEST INVESTOR IN "ANGLADESH 3INGAPORE HAS INVESTED 3 MILLION MAINLY IN $HAKA AND #HITTAGONG "ILATERAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS HAVE BEEN GROWING AT A STEADY PACE "ANGLADESH HAS BEEN A LUCRATIVE MARKET FOR OUR MEDICAL SERVICES AND IS ALSO A SIGNIlCANT SUPPLIER OF WORKERS TO OUR ESSENTIAL ECONOMIC SECTORS 4ECHNICAL TRAINING HAVE ALSO BEEN EXTENDED TO THEIR NATIONALS UNDER THE 3INGAPORE #OOPERATION 0ROGRAMME
#ONCLUSION 4HE RELEVANCE OF DEMOCRATIC SKILLS IN NEGOTIATING WITH !3%!. COUNTRIES COULD NOT BE IGNORED $ISTINCTLY DIFFERENT CULTURES PREVAIL
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IN THE COUNTRIES IN THE REGION #OLONIAL RULE AND COMMUNISM HAVE HAD GREAT IMPACT ON THEIR RESPECTIVE SYSTEMS OF GOVERNANCE AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE $IFFERENT STRATEGIES HAVE TO BE APPLIED WHEN ENGAGING THEM IN SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSIONS )F THEY APPEARED TO BE RIGID AND INmEXIBLE WE MAY HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND TOLERANT )NFORMAL DISCUSSIONS ON SENSITIVE ISSUES CONDUCTED AT COFFEE BREAKS COULD BE MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN RAISING THEM AT THE CONFERENCE TABLE "ILATERAL REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS AND DIALOGUES !3%!. HAVE WITH INDIVIDUAL NON !3%!. COUNTRIES ALSO PROVIDED ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP OUR DIPLOMATIC SKILLS #OOPERATION WITH *APAN 3OUTH +OREA )NDIA AND #HINA HAD GAINED STRENGTH 4HE !3%!. FAMILY WITH A POPULATION OF MILLION AND RICH IN NATURAL RESOURCES HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF BECOMING ANOTHER POWERFUL COMMUNITY IN THE !SIAN REGION -Y INVOLVEMENT IN !3%!. OVER MANY YEARS HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY FURTHER ENRICHED MY DIPLOMATIC SKILLS AND HAVE BEEN AN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE 7ITH GLOBALISATION 3INGAPORE NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN HER RELATIONS WITH FRIENDLY COUNTRIES PARTICULARLY IN THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC lELDS 6ISITS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAVE TO BE ENHANCED 3INGAPOREANS WHO TRAVEL OVERSEAS FREQUENTLY CAN ALSO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS 3INGAPORES BILATERAL TIES BY UNDERSTANDING THE CULTURE AND SENSITIVITIES OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRIES THEY VISIT &OR OUR OFlCIALS AND DIPLOMATS WHETHER SERVING AT HOME OR OVERSEAS WE HAVE TO BE SUFlCIENTLY KNOWLEDGEABLE ON 3INGAPORES POLITICAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIO CULTURAL ISSUES 3IMILARLY WHEN OVERSEAS A GOOD GRASP OF THE HOST COUNTRIES CUSTOMS TRADITIONS AND SENSITIVITIES WOULD BE IMPORTANT TOO +NOWING THE LOCAL LANGUAGE WOULD BE AN ADDED ADVANTAGE 4HE ART OF SKILFUL DIALOGUE IS ALSO IMPORTANT 7HILE A DIALOGUE IS A TWO WAY EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AS DIPLOMATS WE WOULD HAVE TO BE READY TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS WITHOUT DIVULGING SENSITIVE INFORMATION
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7E MAY BE JUST A RED DOT ON THE WORLD MAP "UT AS A NATION OUR HEALTHY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLITICAL STABILITY AND THE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT WE HAVE REGIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY SHOULD MAKE US PROUD OF 3INGAPORE
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4HE %ARLY 9EARS -R 3%% #HAK -UN IS CURRENTLY (IGH #OMMISSIONER OF 3INGAPORE TO )NDIA AND CONCURRENTLY ACCREDITED AS 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO .EPAL (E JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! IN (E SERVED IN 3INGAPORES MISSIONS IN 7ASHINGTON .EW 9ORK AND +UALA ,UMPUR AND IN THE -INISTRY (EADQUARTERS BEFORE HIS APPOINTMENT AS 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO !USTRALIA n (E WAS -&!S lRST CAREER !MBASSADOR (E WAS $IRECTOR OF THE 0OLITICAL $IVISION n AND $EPUTY 3ECRETARY)NTERNATIONAL n AT -&! &OLLOWING HIS APPOINTMENT AS !MBASSADOR TO THE &EDERAL 2EPUBLIC OF 'ERMANY n AND #OMMISSIONER IN (ONG +ONG n HE SERVED TWICE AS 3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN 'ENEVA n n (E WAS 3INGAPORES #HIEF .EGOTIATOR DURING THE 5RUGUAY 2OUND OF -ULTILATERAL 4RADE .EGOTIATIONS (E HAD SERVED AS 0RESIDENT OF THE 5.#4!$ 4RADE AND $EVELOPMENT "OARD AND CHAIRED SEVERAL 5.#4!$ AND '!4474/ #OMMITTEES (E WAS AWARDED THE 0UBLIC !DMINISTRATION -EDAL 'OLD
h)N THAT EARLY PHASE THE EMBRYONIC &OREIGN 3ERVICE MAY BE DESCRIBED IN THE MAIN AS A COLLECTION OF INFORMATION GATHERERS AND MESSENGER BOYS INCLUDING SOME ABLE AMATEURS WHOSE PRIME JOB WAS TO DO THE BIDDING OF THE TROIKA OF CONCERNED MINISTERS LED BY ,EE +UAN 9EWv -ICHAEL ,EIFER AUTHOR OF 3INGAPORES &OREIGN 0OLICY #OPING WITH 6ULNERABILITY
)N THE "EGINNING HEN ) JOINED THE &OREIGN -INISTRY IN !UGUST THE ENTIRE POLITICAL SECTION COMPRISED ONLY THREE FRESH GRADUATES #HONG !H &ATT ,AU 4EIK 3OON AND ME 4HE SECTION WAS HEADED BY 3 2 .ATHAN WHO CAME FROM A TRADE UNION RESEARCH UNIT /NLY THE 0ERMANENT
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3ECRETARY !BU "AKAR 0AWANCHEE A SENIOR OFlCER IN THE "RITISH COLONIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE HAD A STINT OF EXPERIENCE IN FOREIGN RELATIONS FROM HIS ATTACHMENT TO THE TRADE SECTION OF THE "RITISH EMBASSY IN *AKARTA /THER THAN THAT THERE WERE THINLY STAFFED UNITS DEALING WITH ADMINISTRATION PROTOCOL AND ARCHIVES &OREIGN -INISTER 3 2AJARATNAM WAS ASSISTED BY A PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY , 0 2ODRIGO A LAWYER BY TRAINING WHO DEALT WITH AFFAIRS RELATING TO THE !FRICAN !SIAN 0EOPLES 3OLIDARITY /RGANISATION !!03/ 4HE ONLY ADMINISTRATIVE KNOWLEDGE WHICH ) COULD CLAIM WAS THE THREE VOLUMES OF CIVIL SERVICE INSTRUCTION MANUALS WHICH WERE HANDED OVER TO ME TO READ AS A NEW OFlCER .ONETHELESS MY VERY lRST TASK WAS TO HELP CONVENE AN INTER MINISTERIAL MEETING TO CONSIDER HOW TO SPEND A 77)) REPARATIONS GRANT FROM THE *APANESE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE 77)) VICTIMS
&ACTORS THAT $ROVE &OREIGN 0OLICY )NDEED -&! OFlCIALS HAD TO MAKE DO WITH THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE INSTINCTS AND WHATEVER DIRECTIVES THEY RECEIVED FROM THE -INISTERS 3OME FORTUNATE ONES HAD ATTENDED LECTURES CONDUCTED BY THE 0OLITICAL 3TUDY #ENTRE HEADED BY A "RITISH EXPATRIATE OFlCER ' ' 4HOMSON WHO DISTINGUISHED BY HIS LEAN LOOKS AND BUSHY EYEBROWS HELD A REALISTIC VIEW OF HOW 3INGAPORE SHOULD CONDUCT ITS FOREIGN POLICY )N A RADIO TALK IN HE OBSERVED THAT A COUNTRYS FOREIGN POLICY HAD TO BE GOVERNED BY ITS OWN INTERESTS h.O COUNTRY HAS EVER ACTED FOR ITS IDEALS IN CONTRADICTION TO ITS INTERESTS AND DIPLOMACY BECAME DECEPTION ALL THE MORE DANGEROUS WHEN IT IS SELF DECEPTION IF WE PRETEND OR PREACH OTHERWISEv (E THEN WENT ON TO SPELL OUT THE INTERNAL FACTORS INmUENCING THE MAKING OF 3INGAPORES FOREIGN POLICY WHICH REMAIN VALID AS OF PRESENT DAY
"ECAUSE IT WAS DIFlCULT TO ASCERTAIN WHO WERE TRUTHFULLY FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE 7AR VICTIMS THE )NTER -INISTERIAL #OMMITTEE DECIDED TO USE THE GRANT TO BUILD A CENOTAPH AT THE %SPLANADE THE FORMER %LIZABETH 7ALK IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 7AR VICTIMS INSTEAD
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w "ECAUSE OF 3INGAPORES SMALL SIZE IT COULD ONLY ACT INDIRECTLY BY INmUENCING OTHERS WHO INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY COULD INTERVENE MASSIVELY w 3INGAPORES ECONOMIC PROSPERITY HAD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROSPERITY OF ITS NEIGHBOURS AND OF THOSE WITH WHOM IT TRADED w "ECAUSE OF THE NEED TO BUILD AN ECONOMY OF EXPANSIVE POTENTIAL 3INGAPORES FOREIGN POLICY HAD TO SEEK NEW SOURCES OF GOODS AND NEW MARKETS "Y THAT TIME hCONFRONTATIONv BY THE )NDONESIAN GOVERNMENT UNDER 0RESIDENT 3UKARNO WAS DRAWING TO A CLOSE 3INGAPORES INDEPENDENCE WAS NO LONGER IN QUESTION AS IT HAD FOUND GENERAL ACCEPTANCE AMONG MEMBERS OF THE .ON !LIGNMENT -OVEMENT AND THE !FRO !SIAN STATES )T FACED A NEW SECURITY THREAT INSTEAD THE DOMINO THEORY OF THE FALL OF 6IETNAM AND ITS NEIGHBOURING STATES TO THE #OMMUNISTS
9OUNG AND .EWLY )NDEPENDENT )NDEED THE EARLY YEARS OF INDEPENDENT 3INGAPORE SAW THE HEIGHT OF THE 6IETNAM WAR AND THE THREAT OF REFUGEES mEEING FROM THE COUNTRY INCLUDING AIRCRAFTS HIJACKED BY 6IETNAMESE PILOTS FOR THAT PURPOSE 4HE THEN $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER $0- 4OH #HIN #HYE HAD ISSUED STRICT INSTRUCTIONS THAT REQUESTS FOR LANDING OF SUCH UNIDENTIlED AIRCRAFTS AS WELL AS THOSE CARRYING 53 ')S IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES FOR 2EST AND 2ECREATION 22 IN 3INGAPORE HAD TO BE CLEARED BY HIM PERSONALLY 4HE PROBLEM WAS OF COURSE HOW TO LOCATE $0- 4OH WHEN HE WAS OUT OF REACH AND THE HIJACKED AIRCRAFT WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL CIRCLING OVER 3INGAPORE 4HE AIRCRAFT WAS EVENTUALLY ALLOWED TO LAND $URING THE FORMATIVE YEARS OF -&! &OREIGN -INISTER 2AJARATNAM WAS THE PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT AND ARTICULATOR OF 3INGAPORES FOREIGN POLICY 2ECOGNISING THE REALITIES OF 3INGAPORE AS A SMALL STATE HE ANNOUNCED THAT 3INGAPORE HAD CHOSEN THE PATH OF NON ALIGNMENT
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BUT HE ALSO EMPHASISED THAT hNON ALIGNMENT IS ONLY IN REGARD TO NARROW POWER BLOC INTERESTS AND NOT IN REGARD TO THE BASIC PRINCIPLES EMBODIED IN THE 5. #HARTERv 2AJARATNAM ALSO SAW THE ENGAGEMENT OF MAJOR POWERS IN THE REGION AS PROVIDING GREATER ASSURANCE FOR THE SURVIVAL OF SMALL STATES )N A FAMOUS PASSAGE CONTAINED IN A SPEECH TO THE !SIA 3OCIETY IN .EW 9ORK ON 3EPTEMBER HE SAID h,IKE THE SUN THE GREAT POWERS WILL BY THEIR VERY EXISTENCE RADIATE GRAVITATIONAL POWER "UT IF THERE ARE MANY SUNS THEN THE SMALLER PLANETS CAN BY JUDICIOUS BALANCING OF PULLS AND COUNTER PULLS ENJOY A GREATER FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND A WIDER CHOICE OF OPTIONS THAN IF THEY HAD ONLY ONE SUN AROUND WHICH TO REVOLVE 4HE ALTERNATIVE TO ONE POWER DOMINANCE OF THE REGION IS FREE AND PEACEFUL COMPETITION BY A MULTIPLICITY OF POWERSv !T THE 5. 2AJARATNAM OFTEN SPOKE HIS VIEWS FRANKLY SUCH AS DISPELLING THE MYTHOLOGY OF EQUALITY OF STATES )N PRACTICAL TERMS -&! DREW CONSIDERABLE INSPIRATION AND MORAL SUPPORT FROM THE TRIUMVIRATE OF 4HIRD 7ORLD ,EADERS VIZ .EHRU .ASSER AND 4ITO !T THE 5. OUR VOTING BEHAVIOUR WAS VERY MUCH INmUENCED BY THE COMMON POSITIONS THAT WERE TAKEN BY )NDIA %GYPT AND 9UGOSLAVIA
/N 2AJARATNAM 2AJARATNAM HAD NO GREAT LOVE FOR ADMINISTRATION WHICH HE LEFT TO THE CIVIL SERVANTS "UT HE WAS AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR A LIVELY STORY TELLER AND ABOVE ALL A GREAT POLITICAL TUTOR WHO WANTED TO PASS ON HIS EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE (E CONVENED WEEKLY MEETINGS AND RELATED TO -&! SENIOR STAFF HIS ANALYSIS OF KEY CURRENT EVENTS ESPECIALLY THOSE CLOSER TO THE REGION -&! OFlCERS WERE SIMPLY ENTHRALLED AND BENElTTED IMMENSELY FROM HIS INSIGHTS AND INTUITIONS 2AJARATNAM WAS ALSO A CHAIN SMOKER /FTEN UNKNOWN TO HIM WHILE
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HE WAS TALKING BETS WERE PASSED UNDER THE CONFERENCE TABLE AMONG THE YOUNGER OFlCERS AS TO HOW MANY MORE CIGARETTES HE WOULD CONSUME BEFORE HE CONCLUDED THE MEETING 2AJARATNAM WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO MAINTAIN HIS COOL AND CHARM EVEN WHEN CONFRONTED WITH DIFlCULT SITUATIONS /NLY ONCE DID ) WITNESS HIS LOSS OF TEMPER WHEN A #ARTER !DMINISTRATION !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY OF THE 3TATE $EPARTMENT LECTURED THE !3%!. &OREIGN -INISTERS ON WHY IT WOULD BE BETTER OFF FOR !3%!. TO SEEK ACCOMMODATION WITH COMMUNIST 6IETNAM 2AJARATNAM FOR ONCE LOST HIS COOL AND RETORTED h)F WE IE !3%!. MAKE A SERIOUS MISTAKE IT IS WE WHO HAVE TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES NOT THE 53v
&INAL !DVICE )F THERE IS ANY OTHER WISER COUNSEL THAT ) RECEIVED IN THE LATER YEARS OF MY FOREIGN SERVICE CAREER IT WAS FROM THE 3ECRETARY OF THE 3WISS &OREIGN -INISTRY ) ASKED HIM WHY 3WITZERLAND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN A COMPETENT CORE OF FOREIGN SERVICE PROFESSIONALS AND KEEP ITSELF UP TO DATE WITH WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE FAR CORNERS OF THE WORLD WHEN 3WITZERLAND ADHERED TO A STRICT CODE OF NEUTRALITY (E REPLIED THAT 3WITZERLAND AS A NEUTRAL COUNTRY WAS OFTEN CALLED UPON TO MEDIATE IN CONmICT SITUATIONS AT SHORT NOTICE (ENCE THE 3WISS -&! HAD TO KEEP ITSELF WELL INFORMED ON CONmICT SITUATIONS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD (IS ADVICE TO ME WAS h-AKE YOURSELF USEFUL SO THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS A STAKE IN YOUv
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#ULTURE OF AN )NCLUSIVE /RGANISATION -R +EMAL 4ONY 3)$$)15% IS THE %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR OF 4ONY + 3IDDIQUE !SSOCIATES 0TE ,TD (E IS #ORPORATE !DVISER TO 4EMASEK (OLDINGS AND 3ENIOR !DVISER TO A NUMBER OF 4EMASEK LINKED COMPANIES AND HOLDS DIRECTORSHIPS ON THE "OARD OF COMPANIES IN 3INGAPORE AND ABROAD (E IS 3PECIAL !DVISER TO THE )NTERNATIONAL %NTERPRISE OF 3INGAPORE )%3 #URRENTLY HE IS 3INGAPORES .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR TO $ENMARK SINCE *ANUARY (E JOINED THE CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC SERVICE IN (E WAS !MBASSADOR TO THE &EDERAL 2EPUBLIC OF 'ERMANY AND TO THE THEN 5NION OF THE 3OVIET 3OCIALIST 2EPUBLICS (E WAS ALSO CONCURRENTLY !MBASSADOR TO &INLAND 0OLAND "ULGARIA 2OMANIA !USTRIA #ZECHOSLOVAKIA (UNGARY )TALY 'ERMAN $EMOCRATIC 2EPUBLIC .ORWAY 3WEDEN 3WITZERLAND AND 'REECE (E HAS BEEN THE 3PECIAL %NVOY OF THE 0RIME -INISTER ON DIPLOMATIC ASSIGNMENTS AND ALSO HELD SENIOR APPOINTMENTS IN THE 3INGAPORE %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARD (E WAS AWARDED THE 0UBLIC !DMINISTRATION -EDAL 3ILVER AND THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE 3TAR BY THE 3INGAPORE 'OVERNMENT AND WAS CONFERRED THE 'RAND #ROSS OF THE /RDER OF -ERIT BY THE 'ERMAN 'OVERNMENT (E RETIRED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AND MOVED TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR
HE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! IS TODAY YEARS YOUNG ) HAVE SPENT YEARS IN THAT ORGANISATION )T IS MY SECOND HOME AND ONE TO BE PROUD OF 4ODAY WHEN ) LOOK BACK ) CAN ONLY SAY THAT MY STINT IN -&! DESPITE ALL THE CHALLENGES FACED BY A NEW ORGANISATION WAS A WONDERFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE )T WAS A HOME TO EVERYONE FROM THE MINISTERS RIGHT DOWN TO THE OFlCE ATTENDANTS AND NOT TO FORGET THE FAMILIES 4HE CULTURE WAS NOT ELITIST AND EXCLUSIVE 4HE LEADERSHIP IN -&! DECIDED THEN TO BUILD UP OVER TIME AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE 7E BELIEVE BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY WAY THE ORGANISATION COULD SURVIVE TO MEET THE CHALLENGING TASKS SET BY THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP )T WAS NOT EASY BUT THE LEADERSHIP PREVAILED AND TODAY -&! IS INDEED A RESPECTED ORGANISATION NOT ONLY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE BUT ALSO IN OUR SOCIETY 4HE PRESENT 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY IS ALSO HEAD OF THE CIVIL
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SERVICE -&! HAS ARRIVED 7E BELIEVE THAT AS LONG AS THE ORGANISATION CONTINUES TO DEVELOP THE CULTURE OF INCLUSIVENESS AND PREVENT THE DEADLY VIRUS OF hSTOVE PIPE EXCLUSIVITYv BOTH WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE ORGANISATION -&! WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT ITS MISSION WITH THE SAME hGRITv AND hCAN DOv SPIRIT THAT SAW THE ORGANISATION THROUGH IN THE EARLY DECADES OF 3INGAPORES HISTORY
7HO 7HY AND (OW 7HEN ) lRST JOINED AS A CONTRACT OFlCER ) WAS A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE TO BE PART OF AN ORGANISATION THAT HAD 0RESIDENTS SCHOLARS )N FACT ONE SCHOLAR EVEN QUESTIONED THE CREDENTIALS OF AN OFlCER WHO WAS NOT A SCHOLAR "UT THAT DID NOT MATTER IN THE PERCEPTION OF THE -INISTRYS LEADERSHIP 7E WERE A MOTLEY CREW FROM DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNDS AND WORK EXPERIENCES 7E WERE GRADUATES IN PHYSICS ENGINEERING LAW HISTORY POLITICAL SCIENCE PHARMACY PHILOSOPHY ECONOMICS TEACHING ETC AND SUPPORT STAFF WERE DRAWN FROM ALL OVER THE CIVIL SERVICE ) WAS TOLD THAT OUR MISSION WAS TO hPROTECT AND PROMOTEv 3INGAPORES INTERESTS BECAUSE DIPLOMACY WAS THE lRST LINE OF DEFENCE 7E WERE TOLD THE hWHYSv BUT WE HAD TO LEARN ON THE JOB THE hHOWSv 7E WERE LUCKY TO HAVE IN OUR lRST &OREIGN -INISTER -R 3 2AJARATNAM A MAN OF HIGH INTELLECT WHO TAUGHT US ALL ABOUT THE hWHYSv )T WAS INDEED A PRIVILEGE TO BE TUTORED BY HIM )T WAS TRAINING IN CLEAR THINKING ON POLICY AND CUTTING OUT THE hmUFF AND DRAMAv !LL OUR SUBSEQUENT FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO KEPT THE CULTURE OF CLEAR THINKING IN GUIDING THE ORGANISATION (ENCE OUR BRIEFS HAD TO REmECT THE CULTURE OF CLEAR THOUGHT ) STILL REMEMBER VERY VIVIDLY THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY -R 3 2 .ATHAN OUR THEN 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY CURRENTLY 0RESIDENT OF 3INGAPORE TO ALL POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC OFlCERS THAT ALL BRIEFS MUST BE TO THE POINT CRISP AND STAND THE LIGHT OF DAY (E ADDED THAT HE DID NOT WANT hmUFF AND LONG SCREEDSv 4HAT WAS A TALL ORDER 7E HAD TO LEARN THE HARD AND PAINFUL WAY HOW TO MEET THE HIGH STANDARDS DEMANDED BY OUR CONSUMERS "UT WE PREVAILED 7E
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LEARNT HOW TO PUT FORTH THE -&! POINT OF VIEW AND THE CONSUMERS STARTED TO TAKE US SERIOUSLY )T WAS VERY SATISFYING WHEN WE DID NOT GET A QUERY FROM THE CONSUMERS 4HE WHOLE BRIEF TEAM INCLUDING THE SUPPORT STAFF ALWAYS CELEBRATED WITH A hTOGOHv SESSION WHEN WE DID A GOOD BRIEF BUT ALSO KEPT THE SPIRITS UP IF WE DID NOT ) HOPE THIS CULTURE IS STILL BEING PRACTISED AT TALKING POINT
'ERMAN 3INGAPORE 2ELATIONS )N THE lELD OUR MISSIONS ABROAD HAVE DONE WELL )N THE EARLY DECADES THE ROLE OF THE -&! ABROAD WAS TO PROTECT THE FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY SO THAT OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES COULD COMFORTABLY PROMOTE 3INGAPORES WIDER INTERESTS (OW WE DID IT IN THE lELD REQUIRES A COUPLE OF TOMES (OWEVER TWO EXAMPLES IN WHICH ) WAS INTIMATELY INVOLVED COME TO MIND &ROM THE BILATERAL PERSPECTIVE OUR TEAM IN 'ERMANY WHICH ) HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AS SKIPPER ON TWO SEPARATE POSTINGS LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK IN 'ERMAN 3INGAPORE RELATIONS 7HY WERE WE SUCCESSFUL &IRST THE SENIOR STAFF SPOKE THE LANGUAGE AND WERE PREPARED TO ACTIVELY LEARN ALL ABOUT THE COUNTRY NOT ONLY IN REGARD TO THE POLITICS AND ECONOMICS BUT ALSO THE CULTURE AND HISTORY 7E HAD FRIENDS FROM ALL WALKS OF 'ERMAN SOCIETY 7E WERE PEOPLE ORIENTED 3ECOND WE HAD THE TOTAL BACKING OF THE HEADQUARTERS FOR OUR WORK IN THE lELD 4HIRD WE DEVELOPED CONTACTS THAT BROUGHT US INTO THEIR VAST AND DIFFERENTIATED NETWORKS AND FOURTH WE PUSHED THE 3INGAPORE BRAND IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER 4O SAY THE LEAST WE HAD A MARKETABLE PRODUCT !ND MARKET IT WE DID IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE 4ODAY SOME OF THE OFlCERS THAT SERVED WITH ME HAVE GONE ON TO OTHER CAREERS SERVING 3INGAPORE AND OTHERS HAVE STAYED IN THE SERVICE !S DIPLOMATS WE ALWAYS TOOK AN INCLUSIVE
-ALAY FOR DRINKING -&! #LUBS RECREATION AREA
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APPROACH TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKES OUR HOST COUNTRIES hTICKv AND TO INTERPRET TO THEM OUR POLICIES WITHIN THE RIGHT CONTEXT 4HIS GAVE THE HEADQUARTERS THE CORRECT PERSPECTIVE TO DEVELOP A SOUND POLICY IN STRENGTHING OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS
#AMBODIA 4HE OTHER EXAMPLE IS MY EXPERIENCE ON THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL WITH THE h#AMBODIAN ISSUE AT THE 5.v &OR lVE YEARS ) HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH OUR 5. TEAM HEADED BY !MBASSADOR 4OMMY +OH OUR 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5. 7E MANAGED TO CONVINCE OVER TIME 5. MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE !3%!. POLICY ON #AMBODIA TO THE EXTENT THAT AT EVERY 5. SESSION WE INCREASED OUR SUPPORT FOR THE !3%!. POSITION ON #AMBODIA 7E ALL LEARNT THE hlNE ART OF LOBBYINGv SOME WILL CALL IT THE BLACK ART OF LOBBYING 4HE APPROACH WAS INDEED SIMPLE &IRST !3%!. WAS A CREDIBLE ORGANISATION BOTH IN THE WEST AND IN THE .ON !LIGNED -OVEMENT 3ECOND WE HAD A SOUND AND CREDIBLE POLICY THAT WAS NOT CONFRONTATIONAL 4HIRD WE HAD A lNE 5. TEAM THAT HAD BUILT UP A LOT OF CREDITS OVER THE YEARS AND WE WERE ABLE TO CASH IN OUR GOODWILL &OURTH OUR LOBBY APPROACH WAS INCLUSIVE IN THAT EVERY MEMBER COUNTRY OF THE 5. WAS IMPORTANT TO OUR CAUSE &IFTH WE WERE GIVEN A FREE HAND BY THE HEADQUARTERS IN THE lELD TO WORK THE GROUND 4HIS TRUST WAS VERY IMPORTANT 7E WERE NOT MICRO MANAGED 3O WE WERE hCOWBOYS ON THE LOOSEv COMPLETELY UNORTHODOX IN DOING THINGS OUT OF THE BOX BUT ALWAYS BEARING IN MIND THE POLICY AND MAKING SURE OF THE hDELIVERABLESv -Y MAIN hPARTNER IN CRIMEv IN THIS ENDEAVOUR WAS NONE OTHER THAN THE ASTUTE "ARRY $ESKER WHO WENT ON TO MAKE HIS MARK DURING HIS SUBSEQUENT POSTING TO )NDONESIA AS !MBASSADOR ,ASTLY WE ALWAYS HAD A YOUNG TEAM FROM THE HEADQUARTERS THAT WERE WILLING TO LEARN ON THE JOB hTHE BLACK ART OF LOBBYINGv COUPLED WITH A LOT OF FUN AND BUZZ 4ODAY -&! HAS SUFlCIENT KNOWLEDGE TO BE CALLED UPON BY OUR OTHER AGENCIES TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR INTERNATIONAL LOBBYING EFFORTS (OWEVER OFTEN TIMES THE hOLD FOXESv OF THE #AMBODIAN ERA
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ARE STILL CALLED TO ASSIST IN INTERNATIONAL LOBBYING EFFORTS ) CAN ONLY SAY THAT TO HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH /NE NEEDS AN ALL INCLUSIVE TEAM TO SELL THE hKOYOv IN A STREET SMART FASHION AND TO BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE SOFTWARE hTOOLSv IN THE KIT 3O SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO THINK OUT OF THE BOX AND MOVE FAST WITHOUT LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER WAITING FOR INSTRUCTIONS 4HE #AMBODIAN ISSUE AT THE 5. WAS A CASE IN POINT /UR 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5. !MBASSADOR 4OMMY +OH LED THE TEAM AND BECAUSE OUR POLICY WAS CLEAR CONSISTENT AND CREDIBLE THE TEAM COULD PULL IT OFF )N OTHER WORDS -&! HAS A BRAND NAME IN INTERNATIONAL CIRCLES 7E CAN NOW PUNCH ABOVE OUR WEIGHT (AVING SAID THAT -&! HAS BEEN SLOWLY GEARING UP OVER THE YEARS TO ALSO PROMOTE 3INGAPORES INTERESTS AS PART OF THE OVERALL 3INGAPORE 4EAM ) WOULD lNALLY LIKE TO THANK MY MENTORS -R + # ,EE MY !MBASSADOR ON MY lRST POSTING TO )NDONESIA WHO TAUGHT ME THE ROPES IN HOW TO MANAGE AND OPERATE A MISSION THE LATE -R (O 2IH (WA THEN !MBASSADOR TO %%# AND THE "ENELUX WHO GAVE ME VALUABLE LESSONS IN ECONOMIC DEFENCE AND BUSINESS DIPLOMACY -R #HIA #HEONG &OOK FORMER 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY WHO TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT COMMON SENSE AND PEOPLE AND -R 3 2 .ATHAN FORMER 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY MY MENTOR AND GUIDE THROUGHOUT MY STINT IN -&! AND POST -&! 4O MY COLLEAGUES ESPECIALLY 0ETER #HAN MY hSOUL BUDDYv FROM UNIVERSITY DAYS AND THE lRST CAREER 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY IN -&! AND MY COMRADES "ARRY $ESKER CURRENTLY $IRECTOR OF THE )NSTITUTE OF $EFENCE AND 3TRATEGIC 3TUDIES )$33 + +ESAVAPANY CURRENTLY $IRECTOR OF THE )NSTITUTE OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 3TUDIES )3%!3 -ICHAEL #HEOK A FELLOW AMBASSADOR WHO HAS NOW RETIRED ,EE #HIONG 'IAM %DWARD ,EE "ILAHARI +AUSIKAN 0ETER (O AND 4AN 3ENG #HYE ALL OF WHOM ARE CURRENTLY SERVING IN -&! ) THANK THEM FOR THEIR hFAITHv IN ME AND FOR THEIR ADVICE AND SUPPORT
#OLLOQUIAL (OKKIEN DIALECT TO MEAN hMEDICINEv
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4O ALL OFlCERS AND SUPPORT STAFF AT HOME AND ABROAD WHOM ) HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH OVER THE YEARS ) WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT ) HAVE LEARNT A LOT FROM THOSE SHARED EXPERIENCES BOTH IN GOOD TIMES AS WELL AS IN TOUGH TIMES $IPLOMACY IS ALSO THE ART OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE BROADER SENSE )T IS THE ART OF SETTING UP '' FRAMEWORKS TO FACILITATE "" DEALS )N SUCH A CONTEXT ) HAVE TO SAY THAT ) LEARNT A LOT FROM 0HILIP 9EO FORMER #HAIRMAN OF THE %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARD %$" AND HIS COLLEAGUES DURING THEIR STINT IN -).$%& ESPECIALLY ,IEW -UN ,EONG CURRENTLY THE #%/ OF #APITA,AND 1UEK 0OH (UAT CURRENTLY THE #%/ OF 3ING0OWER AND !MBASSADOR TO 3WEDEN AND THE LATE 7ONG +OK 3IEW #%/ OF 3EMB#ORP )NDUSTRIES ON HOW TO MARKET 3INGAPORE IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR SECOND WING ECONOMY DRIVE IN THE EARLY S )T WAS NOT EASY BUT AS PIONEERS WE PREVAILED AS A TEAM DESPITE ALL THE DIFlCULTIES AND TODAY THE BENElTS HAVE COME TO ROOST ) CAN SAY THIS THAT WE DID HAVE A LOT OF FUN AND BUZZ IN THE PROCESS -Y ALMA MATER !#3 MOTTO hTHE BEST IS YET TO BEv IS MOST APPROPRIATE FOR -&! -OVE ON AND PERSEVERE "E hINCLUSIVEv AND WE WILL PREVAIL
'OVERNMENT TO 'OVERNMENT "USINESS TO "USINESS !NGLO #HINESE 3CHOOL IN 3INGAPORE
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4HE )MPORTANCE OF 0ROTOCOL IN $IPLOMACY -R 4!. +ENG *IN IS CURRENTLY (EAD 0UBLIC !FFAIRS AT )3%!3 (IS EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA OF PROTOCOL CAME FROM HIS YEARS AS THE &OREIGN -INISTRYS $IRECTOR OF 0ROTOCOL#HIEF OF 0ROTOCOL (E ALSO SERVED AS $IRECTOR OF )NFORMATION -ANAGEMENT AND 2ESEARCH 4ECHNICAL #OOPERATION AND THE !3%!. $IRECTORATE (E WAS ALSO (ON 3ECRETARY TO THE 4WO (UNDRED '- OF THE ,EE +UAN 9EW %XCHANGE &ELLOWSHIP AND #HAIRMAN OF THE #IVIL 3ERVICE #LUBS SUBCOMMITTEE (E RETURNED FROM 7ELLINGTON AS 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER IN .EW :EALAND (E ALSO SERVED AT THE (IGH #OMMISSION IN ,ONDON AT THE 0ERMANENT -ISSION IN 'ENEVA WHICH HE OPENED AS !MBASSADOR IN #AIRO WITH CONCURRENT ACCREDITATION TO 9UGOSLAVIA 0AKISTAN AND *ORDAN AND AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO "RUNEI (E IS CURRENTLY 6ICE #HAIRMAN OF THE $OVER 0ARK (OSPICE #OUNCIL AND #HAIRMAN OF ITS &UND 2AISING #OMMITTEE
HE SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF DIPLOMACY DEPENDS TO A GREAT EXTENT ON GETTING THE PROTOCOL RIGHT 4HE MANNER IN WHICH FOREIGN DIGNITARIES ARE TREATED WILL HAVE A LARGE INmUENCE ON THEIR IMPRESSION AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS 3INGAPORE AND ITS INTERESTS $ETAILED PREPARATION IS VITAL IN MAKING SURE THAT VISITS AND EVENTS TAKE PLACE WITHOUT HITCHES (OWEVER EVEN WITH THE MOST THOROUGH PREPARATIONS WELL LAID PLANS CAN SOMETIMES STILL GO AWRY
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&IRST )MPRESSIONS 4HE lRST FUNCTION EXPERIENCED BY 6)0 VISITORS TO 3INGAPORE IS THE 7ELCOME #EREMONY #URRENTLY THIS CEREMONY IS HELD IN TWO PARTS AT THE AIRPORT AND THE OFlCIAL WELCOME AT THE )STANA (OWEVER IN THE LATE S BEFORE #HANGI )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT WAS OPERATIONAL THE TWO WERE COMBINED INTO ONE CEREMONY WHICH WAS HELD AT THE AIRPORT AT THE 0AYA ,EBAR )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT 4HOSE WERE THE
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DAYS BEFORE AERO BRIDGES WERE INVENTED )NSTEAD TO DISEMBARK FROM THE AIRCRAFT WE USED MOTORIZED STAIRS 4HIS WAS A STAIRCASE MOUNTED ON TOP OF A VEHICLE /NE UNFORGETTABLE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IN AT SUCH A CEREMONY )T WAS A WORKING VISIT OF 'ENERAL +RIANGSAK 0RIME -INISTER OF 4HAILAND ) REMEMBER THE DAY WELL 0- 'ENERAL +RIANGSAK WAS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE IN HIS PRIVATE PLANE AT PM ON A BRIGHT AND BREEZY BEAUTIFUL DAY ) ARRIVED AT THE 6)0 #OMPLEX AT PM AND PROCEEDED TO DO THE NORMAL CHECKS 'ENERAL +RIANGSAK WAS ARRIVING IN HIS OWN PLANE #HECKED 4HE %4! WAS STILL PM #HECKED 4HE 6)0 BAY WAS BOOKED #HECKED 4HE WAITERS IN THE 6)0 LOUNGE WERE READY #HECKED !IRPORT GROUND STAFF WERE ALERTED #HECKED 4HE MOTOR VEHICLES WERE LINED UP #HECKED 4HE AIRCRAFTS STEPS OR MOTORIZED STAIRS WERE READY /OPS 7(%2% 7%2% 4(% 34!)23 4HEY WERE NOWHERE TO BE SEEN 4URNING TO MY SENIOR 0ROTOCOL OFlCER ,EE %NG #HONG ) SAID h&IND OUT WHERE ARE THE STAIRS AND ALERT THE AIRPORT GROUND HANDLING CREWv "Y THEN IT WAS PM "Y PM ) WAS GETTING EDGY !T PM ) WAS PANICKY 4HEN 0RIME -INISTER ,EE ARRIVED AT 0AYA ,EBAR AT PM h)S EVERYTHING READY +ENG *IN v HE INQUIRED h9ES 0RIME -INISTERv WAS MY REPLY &RANTICALLY ) SIGNALLED %NG #HONG TO CALL FOR THE AIRCRAFT STAIRS MOTORIZED OR OTHERWISE !T PM SHARP 'ENERAL +RIANGSAKS AIRCRAFT LANDED )T WAS A PROPELLER DRIVEN MILITARY PLANE AND TAXIED SMARTLY TO THE 6)0 BAY 0- ,EE AND ) WALKED OUT TO THE 6)0 BAY AND SAW THE AIRCRAFT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP !S THE PROPELLERS STOPPED WE APPROACHED THE FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT *UST AS WE APPROACHED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT A VERY LARGE SLIDING DOOR OPENED WITH A LOUD BANG AND A CREWMAN DRESSED IN DIRTY BROWN OVERALLS APPEARED AND PROCEEDED TO LOWER BY HAND A SIMPLE LADDER TO THE GROUND /UT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE ) COULD SEE 0RIME -INISTERS MOUTH OPEN PRESUMABLY TO ASK ME WHAT ON EARTH WAS HAPPENING "EFORE
%STIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL
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HE COULD SAY ANYTHING ) INTERJECTED h0RIME -INISTER THE 6)0 EXIT IS AT THE REAR OF THE PLANE v PRAYING HARD THAT IT WAS INDEED SO 7HEN ) OPENED MY EYES LO AND BEHOLD THE REAR DOOR OPENED AND A BUILT IN STAIRCASE UNFURLED AND WAS LOWERED TO THE GROUND ) WAS SAVED 7E PROCEEDED TO THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE REST OF THE WELCOME CEREMONY FOLLOWED AS NORMAL ) MUST ADMIT THAT ) FOR ONE COMPLETED THE CEREMONY ACUTELY AWARE OF MY WEAK KNEES
! 2IVER #RUISE /NE OF THE MOST PLEASANT TOURS THAT WE NORMALLY ARRANGE FOR 6)0S IS THE (ARBOUR #RUISE 3INCE THE S THE 0ORT OF 3INGAPORE !UTHORITY OPERATED A 6)0 LAUNCH THE lRST WAS CALLED THE "ERKAS 4HIS WAS REPLACED IN THE S BY THE DAUGHTER SHIP THE (ARBOUR 1UEEN 4HIS WAS A SPACIOUS DOUBLE DECKER WITH THE LOWER DECK FULLY AIR CONDITIONED 4HE LAST 6)0 TO BE GIVEN THE CRUISE ON THE (ARBOUR 1UEEN WAS THE 2IGHT (ONORABLE *EAN #HRETIEN 0RIME -INISTER OF #ANADA WHO MADE AN OFlCIAL VISIT TO 3INGAPORE ON n .OVEMBER 4HAT VISIT WAS TRULY MEMORABLE AS 0REMIER #HRETIEN WAS THE lRST 6)0 TO VISIT TWO PARTS OF 3INGAPORE WATERS THE 3INGAPORE 2IVER AND THE 3INGAPORE 7ATERFRONT 3UNDAY MORNING .OVEMBER WAS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL 7E GOT EVERYBODY IN THE MOTORCADE EARLY AND AT AM SHARP WE ARRIVED AT THE "OAT 1UAY WHERE THE 0REMIER WAS SCHEDULED TO WITNESS THE ANNUAL $RAGON "OAT 2ACE ON THE 3INGAPORE 2IVER (E HAD ARRIVED SLIGHTLY EARLY TO MEET THE #ANADIAN BOAT CREW COMPETING IN THE 3INGAPORE $RAGON "OAT 2ACE 4HE EVER GREGARIOUS 0REMIER MET AND MINGLED WITH THE #ANADIAN CREW AND THEIR FAMILIES ON THE RIVERBANK AMIDST A GREAT DEAL OF EXCITEMENT NOISE AND BUSTLE &LASH BULBS WERE GOING OFF CONSTANTLY AND THERE WERE HORNS BLOWN AND WHISTLES SHRILLING 4HE 3ECURITY AND 0ROTOCOL PERSONNEL STOOD SLIGHTLY APART GIVING THE 0REMIER SPACE TO SHARE THE MOMENT WITH HIS FELLOW #ANADIANS
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3UDDENLY ) SPOTTED 0REMIER #HRETIEN IN THE #ANADIAN $RAGON "OAT WHICH WAS HEADING TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER HE AND THE CREW WERE GOING ON A TRIAL RUN /F COURSE THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WERE GOING TO TOWN SNAPPING FURIOUSLY 4HEN AT THEIR BIDDING AND TO THE 3ECURITY AND 0ROTOCOLS HORROR 0REMIER #HRETIEN STOOD UP IN THE CANOE WAVING VIGOROUSLY AND GRINNING BROADLY PRESUMABLY SO THAT ALL COULD HAVE A BETTER PICTURE (E WAS HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME /UR HEARTS WERE IN OUR MOUTHS AND VERY QUICKLY A LAUNCH WAS COMMANDEERED AND lLLED WITH 3ECURITY AND 0ROTOCOL PERSONNEL WHICH FOLLOWED THE 0REMIERS BOAT ON THE 3INGAPORE 2IVER !S SOON AS HE RETURNED TO DRY LAND WE QUICKLY DIRECTED THE 0REMIER AND PARTY TO THEIR PROPER 6)0 SEATS TO VIEW THE FORMAL SERIES OF RACES !FTER AN HOUR WE HAD TO LEAVE FOR THE SECOND PART OF OUR CRUISE ON 3INGAPORES WATERS THE (ARBOUR #RUISE 4HIS WAS A MORE MEASURED AND CALMER SEGMENT OF THE PROGRAMME AND THE 03! OFlCIALS COOL AND COLLECTED HAD EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL ! MINUTE AFTER OUR ARRIVAL AT THE 7ORLD 4RADE #ENTRE THE (ARBOUR 1UEEN SET SAIL ON HER LAST 6)0 CRUISE 4HE VESSEL HAD BEEN SOLD TO COMMERCIAL OWNERS AND THIS WOULD BE THE lNAL AND FAREWELL CRUISE !S USUAL EVERYTHING WENT ACCORDING TO CLOCKWORK 7E LEFT THE 03! TERMINAL AT THE 7ORLD 4RADE #ENTRE AND AS WE SAILED AROUND 3ENTOSA )SLAND TO THE MAIN CONTAINER TERMINAL AT THE 03! WHARVES THE USUAL BRIElNG OF THE HISTORY AND GROWTH OF THE PORT WAS MADE 4HE TRIP AS USUAL WAS VERY PLEASANT AND THE ONLY INCIDENT OF NOTE WAS THE FACT THAT THIS WAS THE FAREWELL CRUISE )N THE FUTURE ALL OTHER CRUISES WOULD HAVE TO BE CHARTERED FROM COMMERCIAL OPERATORS 4HIS WAS A SAD MOMENT FOR ME AS ) NOSTALGICALLY RECALLED THE HOST OF PAST DIGNITARIES WHO ENJOYED SUCH A TRIP
"ILATERAL #ALLS AND $ELEGATION -EETINGS )T WOULD SEEM A SIMPLE EXERCISE TO RECEIVE GUESTS AT THE OFlCE %VERYBODY DOES IT FREQUENTLY AND REGULARLY 7HAT CAN GO WRONG
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0LENTY !S THIS CAN BE THE MOST IMPORTANT SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE PROGRAMME EXTRA CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE VISIT PROCEEDS WITHOUT A HITCH )T IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE 0ROTOCOL OFlCER TO ENSURE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS AND ATMOSPHERICS ARE AS PLEASANT QUIET AND TRANQUIL AS POSSIBLE TO PRODUCE A BACKGROUND CONDITION THAT FACILITATES A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE DISCUSSION OR MEETING -Y CHECK LIST HAS SOME POINTS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF ALTHOUGH THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE PLACE TO DISCUSS THESE POINTS IN DETAIL (OWEVER THEY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING (AVE THE DATE TIME VENUE AND DRESS CODE FOR THE CALL BEEN ESTABLISHED -OST IMPORTANTLY HAVE ALL BOTH GUESTS AND HOSTS INVOLVED IN THE CALL BEEN INFORMED OF SUCH DETAILS (AVE THE NUMBER OF GUESTS AIM OF MEETING AND PRESENCE OF TRANSLATORS INTERPRETERS OR NOTE TAKERS BEEN DETERMINED )S THERE A NEED TO INTERRUPT OR END THE CALL 7ILL THERE BE A GIFT EXCHANGE !ND IF SO WHEN WILL THE EXCHANGE BE DONE 4HESE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE ROUTINELY ADDRESSED /NCE THE ABOVE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN SETTLED RECEIVING GUESTS AT THE OFlCE IS NOT DIFlCULT BUT IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL THINGS CAN STILL AND OFTEN DO GO WRONG (OW OFTEN DO GUESTS TURN UP AT THE WRONG TIME PLACE AND DATE /FTEN THE HOST IS WORRIED AND ASKS FOR REASSURANCE THAT ALL PREPARATORY WORK HAS BEEN DONE )N ADDITION THE ARRIVAL POINT NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED WITH CERTAINTY 4HIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IF THERE ARE MORE THAN ONE ENTRANCE $ESPITE ALL OUR EXPERIENCE THERE WAS ONE OCCASION THAT OUR 0ROTOCOL hFELL mAT ON ITS FACEv $URING THE PERIOD n THE &OREIGN -INISTRY WAS SITUATED IN THE 2AFmES #ITY 4OWERS ALONG .ORTH "RIDGE 2OAD !LL WHO KNOW THE BUILDING ARE AWARE THAT IT HAS mOORS AND THAT WHILE THE &OREIGN -INISTRY LEASED A NUMBER OF mOORS INCLUDING THE TH mOOR WHERE THE &OREIGN -INISTER HAS HIS OFlCE OTHER MINISTRIES lRMS AND ORGANISATIONS OCCUPIED THE OTHER mOORS /NE MORNING WE HAD A VISITING MINISTER FROM 'HANA WHO WAS TO CALL ON OUR &OREIGN -INISTER 3O THE INSTRUCTIONS WENT OUT TO ONE OF OUR 0ROTOCOL OFlCERS WHOM ) SHALL CALL h8v (E WAS ASKED TO GO
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TO THE OFlCE ENTRANCE OF THE 2AFmES #ITY 4OWERS AND RECEIVE OUR -INISTERS GUEST THE &OREIGN -INISTER OF 'HANA AT AM !LL ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE THE GUEST KNEW THE DATE TIME AND PLACE OF THE CALL 7E INVOLVED TWO 0ROTOCOL OFlCERS 8 AT THE BUILDINGS ENTRANCE TO RECEIVE THE GUEST AND ACCOMPANY HIM INTO THE LIFT TO THE TH mOOR WITH ANOTHER 0ROTOCOL OFlCER ON THE TH mOOR TO ALERT THE &OREIGN -INISTER AND TO ACCOMPANY HIM TO RECEIVE HIS GUEST AT THE LIFT LOBBY !T AM PRECISELY UP DRIVES A WHITE -ERCEDES AND OUT STEPS A DISTINGUISHED OBVIOUSLY !FRICAN GENTLEMAN 8 SPRINGS INTO ACTION HE STEPS SMARTLY UP TO THE GUEST AND GREETS HIM h'OOD MORNING -R -INISTER v SAID 8 SMARTLY h-AY ) ESCORT YOU TO MY -INISTERS OFlCE v 4HE -INISTER REPLIES hGOOD MORNINGv AND ALLOWS HIMSELF TO BE ESCORTED 8 HAS ALREADY COORDINATED WITH HIS COLLEAGUE WHO HAS ALERTED OUR -INISTER 4HE COUPLE STEP INTO THE WAITING LIFT WHICH DULY ARRIVES AT THE TH mOOR AND THE LIFT DOOR OPENS /UR &OREIGN -INISTER STEPS FORWARD TO GREET HIS GUEST BUT ONCE HE SEES HIS GUEST HIS OLD FRIEND TROUBLE )NSTEAD OF HIS USUAL POLITE GREETING OUR &OREIGN -INISTER SAYS h9OU ARE NOT MY FRIEND THE &OREIGN -INISTER OF 'HANA v TO WHICH THE GUEST REPLIES h.O SIR ) AM THE 4RADE -INISTER OF +ENYA ) AM HERE TO SEE THE #HAIRMAN OF A lRMv 0OOR 8 WAS CORRECT IN ESTABLISHING THAT THE VISITOR WAS A MINISTER BUT SADLY HE DID NOT CHECK THAT HE WAS ADDRESSING THE &OREIGN -INISTER OF 'HANA AND WHETHER THE LATTER WAS VISITING 2AFmES #ITY 4OWERS TO CALL ON 3INGAPORES &OREIGN -INISTER (E TOOK IT FOR GRANTED )T SO HAPPENED THAT ANOTHER !FRICAN MINISTER WAS CALLING ON ANOTHER PERSON IN THE SAME BUILDING ON THE SAME DAY AND TIME 8 COULD EASILY HAVE GREETED THE &- OF 'HANA BY HIS NAME ANDOR DESIGNATION OR ENQUIRED IF THE VISITOR WAS INDEED GOING TO CALL ON THE &OREIGN -INISTER OF 3INGAPORE .OBODY COULD FAULT 8 IF HE DID THIS POLITELY AS THIS WAS THE lRST TIME HE WAS MEETING THE 'HANAIAN &- (IS LACK OF DOING THIS SIMPLE STEP LEFT hEGG ON OUR FACESv A FAILURE ON THE PART OF 0ROTOCOL
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$INNER WITH A +ING )N CONCLUSION LET ME DESCRIBE ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING INFORMAL DINNERS THAT HAVE BEEN ARRANGED 4HE DINNER WAS ORGANISED FOR (IS -AJESTY +ING -SWATI ))) THE +ING OF 3WAZILAND WHO WAS ON HIS STATE VISIT TO 3INGAPORE IN -AY 4HE +ING AND HIS 1UEEN HAD A RELAXING DAY TOURING 3INGAPORE VISITING THE "OTANIC 'ARDENS AND THE 3ENTOSA )SLAND (IS -AJESTY DID NOT ALLOW THE SMALL IRRITATING INCIDENTS TO MAR HIS ENJOYMENT AND ON THE WHOLE HAD A TOTALLY SATISFYING DAY (E WAS FULLY BRIEFED ON THE EVENINGS FUNCTION AND WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING OUR .IGHT 3AFARI 4HE IRRITATING INCIDENT MENTIONED EARLIER HAD TO DO WITH THE 1UEENS LUGGAGE BEING OFF LOADED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AT THE START OF THEIR JOURNEY AND THE EFFECT ON THE 1UEEN IS ANOTHER STORY +ING -SWATI WAS GREETED AT THE .IGHT 3AFARIS ENTRANCE BY THE MOST UNUSUAL WELCOME PARTY CONSISTING OF AN ELEPHANT A PYTHON A HYENA AND AN /RANG 5TAN ALL UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE OF THE ZOO -R "ERNARD (ARRISON AND HIS KEEPERS 7E TOURED THE lRST HALF OF THE .IGHT 3AFARI AND DISEMBARKED FROM OUR 6)0 TRAM AT THE %AST ,ODGE SITUATED ON THE BANKS OF THE -ANDAI RESERVOIR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ZOO 4HE ,ODGE CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF LOOKOUTS AND A LARGE COVERED AREA COMPLETE WITH COOKING AND OTHER FACILITIES 7ITH A FULL MOON AT THE SCENE THE SETTING AND AMBIENCE IS HARD TO BEAT 3URROUNDED BY DEER AND ANTELOPE OUR TRAM HAD DRIVEN PAST RHINOCEROSES ELEPHANTS GIRAFFES AND EVEN LIONS AND TIGERS ALL IN A CAGELESS ENVIRONMENT ,ET ME HASTEN TO ADD THAT THE ANIMALS WERE ALL IN SEPARATE DISTINCT AREAS THAT WERE TO US ON THE TRAM QUITE INVISIBLE 4HE KEEPERS HAD CLEVERLY ARRANGED THAT THE ANIMALS FEEDING TIME COINCIDE WITH THE TRAMS JOURNEY 4HIS BROUGHT ALL THE ANIMALS OUT INTO THE OPEN FOR US TO VIEW 4HE +ING ARRIVED HAPPY AND EXCITED (E REMARKED THAT NEVER HAD HE SEEN SO MANY ANIMALS IN SUCH CLOSE PROXIMITY AT ONE TIME 4HE SAFARIS HE WAS USED TO TOOK WEEKS IF NOT MONTHS TO SEE SUCH ANIMALS (E WAS MOST IMPRESSED
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)T WAS IN SUCH A MOOD THAT WE DISEMBARKED FROM THE TRAM TO GO TO THE WAITING BARBECUE /N MY SUGGESTION HE WENT TO WASH HIS HANDS AND CAME OUT OF THE TOILETS BEAMING AND SAID h%VEN THE TOILETS LOOK LIKE AN !FRICAN SCENEv ) BEGAN TO RELAX AND TO ENJOY WHAT MUST BE A SUCCESSFUL TOUR "EING PRE WARNED WE HAD ABUNDANT AMOUNTS OF 3ATAY GRILLED 4 BONE AND lLLET STEAKS CHICKEN THIGHS LAMB CUTLETS AND LARGE KING PRAWNS AND LOBSTERS ALL WAITING FOR US 4HE AROMA WAS SIMPLY GREAT AND VERY SOON ALL WERE HAPPILY EATING AWAY ) TOOK MY lRST BITE OF THE lLLET STEAK AND FOUND THAT IT WAS BLAND WITHOUT TASTE THERE WAS NO SPICES CONDIMENT SALT OR CHILLI 4HE CHEF MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN TO MARINATE THE MEAT ) TURNED AROUND AND CALLED THE CHEF TO COMPLAIN !S HE ARRIVED OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE ) SAW A BEAMING +ING SUMMON A WAITER TO PUT MORE PIECES OF STEAK ONTO HIS PLATE AND HE ALREADY HAD ABOUT FOUR ON HIS PLATE (E TURNED TO ME AND TO THE CHEF AND SAID h4HIS IS GREAT JUST LIKE HOME 7E EAT OUR MEAT JUST LIKE THIS WE CALL IT A "RAAIv AND SHOOK MORE SALT ONTO HIS STEAK /F COURSE ) SAID TO THE CHEF hWELL DONEv !S ) PREDICTED IT WAS A PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL EVENING
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5NDIPLOMATIC 7ANDERINGS THROUGH )NDONESIA -R "ARRY $%3+%2 IS THE $IRECTOR OF THE )NSTITUTE OF $EFENCE AND 3TRATEGIC 3TUDIES 3INGAPORE (E WAS THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FlCER OF THE 3INGAPORE 4RADE $EVELOPMENT "OARD FROM TO (E JOINED THE 3INGAPORE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE &OREIGN 3ERVICE "RANCH IN SERVING EVENTUALLY AS !MBASSADOR TO )NDONESIA FROM TO (E WAS THE $EPUTY 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN .EW 9ORK FROM TO &ROM TO HE WAS THE $IRECTOR OF THE 0OLICY 0LANNING AND !NALYSIS $IVISION OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS (E IS CONCURRENTLY THE #HAIRMAN OF THE 3INGAPORE )NTERNATIONAL &OUNDATION *URONG 0ORT 0TE ,TD AND 3INGAPORE 4ECHNOLOGIES -ARINE (E IS ALSO A $IRECTOR OF THE #ORDELL (ULL )NSTITUTE 7ASHINGTON $# AND (ONORARY !DVISER OF THE 5. !SSOCIATION OF 3INGAPORE (E IS CURRENTLY 6ICE #HAIRMAN OF THE 3INGAPORE "USINESS &EDERATION AND #HAIRMAN OF ITS )NTERNATIONAL #OMMITTEE &ROM n HE SERVED AS THE #O #HAIR OF THE #OUNCIL ON 3ECURITY #OOPERATION IN THE !SIA 0ACIlC #3#!0
#LASS OF N GRADUATION ) ENTERED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! IN IN A GROUP OF TEN WHICH INCLUDED 0ETER #HAN 4ONY 3IDDIQUE %DWARD ,EE -ICHAEL #HEOK AND ,IN #HUNG 9ING !S THEY WERE SOLITARY SURVIVORS AMONG THEIR COHORT -ARK (ONG WHO ENTERED IN AND +ISHORE -AHBUBANI A ENTRANT ALSO BECAME IDENTIlED WITH OUR COHORT "ECAUSE WE WERE A LARGE INTAKE WHO STAYED ON IN -&! AND FEW STAYED FROM SUCCEEDING COHORTS ) WOULD ARGUE THAT WE HELPED TO SHAPE THE -INISTRY ESPECIALLY IN THE S BEFORE THE RISE OF THE NEXT SIGNIlCANT INTAKE THE BATCH
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(ITTING THE 'ROUND 2UNNING ) BEGAN ON !PRIL ON THE -ALAYSIA DESK A HIVE OF ACTIVITY ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE -AY RIOTS AND THE RE ACTIVATION OF THE #OMMUNIST 0ARTY OF -ALAYA !FTER NINE MONTHS ) TOOK OVER AS !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY 3OUTH EAST !SIA WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ENTIRE REGION UNTIL ) LEFT FOR POST GRADUATE STUDIES IN 3EPTEMBER ) HAD TAKEN NO PAY LEAVE AFTER WINNING A &ORD &OUNDATION &ELLOWSHIP !FTER COMPLETING THE -! IN 3OUTH EAST !SIAN 3TUDIES AT THE 3CHOOL OF /RIENTAL AND !FRICAN 3TUDIES 5NIVERSITY OF ,ONDON IN !UGUST ) MOVED TO #ORNELL 5NIVERSITY !LTHOUGH ) WAS TORN BETWEEN PURSUING AN ACADEMIC CAREER SPECIALISING ON 3OUTH EAST !SIA ESPECIALLY )NDONESIA AND RETURNING TO -&! ) CAME BACK IN /CTOBER AT A TIME WHEN THE SITUATION IN )NDO #HINA WAS CHANGING RAPIDLY WAS HECTIC WHILE ,EE #HIONG 'IAM 0ETER #HAN AND ) WERE ON THE JOB AS COMMUNIST REGIMES EMERGED IN 6IETNAM #AMBODIA AND ,AOS ) WAS SERVING AS 0RINCIPAL !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY )NTERNATIONAL HANDLING ALL POLITICAL ISSUES EXCEPT 3OUTH EAST !SIA WHILE 0ETER #HAN WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR 3OUTH EAST !SIA 7HEN 0ETER LEFT FOR POST GRADUATE STUDIES IN !UGUST ) MOVED TO COVER 3OUTH EAST !SIA UNTIL ) WAS POSTED AS #OUNSELLOR IN THE %MBASSY IN *AKARTA IN *ULY ) RETURNED TO -&! IN !UGUST TO HEAD THE 3OUTH EAST !SIAN SECTION BEFORE TAKING OVER AS THE lRST EVER $EPUTY 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE AT OUR .EW 9ORK -ISSION IN -ARCH /UR 5. PRESENCE WAS EXPANDED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES POSED BY THE ISSUE OF #AMBODIA AT THE 5. FOLLOWING 6IETNAMS INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA IN $ECEMBER )N 3EPTEMBER ) BECAME THE $IRECTOR OF THE 0OLICY 0LANNING AND !NALYSIS $IVISION RESPONSIBLE FOR THE /%#$ COUNTRIES AND THE 4HIRD 7ORLD BEFORE TAKING OVER AS !MBASSADOR TO )NDONESIA IN .OVEMBER 7HEN MY POSTING ENDED IN $ECEMBER ) MOVED OUT OF -&! WHEN ) WAS APPOINTED AS THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FlCER OF THE 4RADE $EVELOPMENT "OARD NOW KNOWN AS )NTERNATIONAL %NTERPRISE 3INGAPORE IN *ANUARY
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6OEJQMPNBUJD 8BOEFSJOHT UISPVHI *OEPOFTJB
"ECOMING AN )NDONESIAN 3PECIALIST -&! ALLOWED ME TO FOCUS ON 3OUTH EAST !SIA ESPECIALLY )NDONESIA AND OVER TIME ) BUILT UP A NETWORK OF CONTACTS IN THE REGION AS WELL AS A FAMILIARITY WITH THE ISSUES AND PERSONALITIES USEFUL IN THE DAYS BEFORE INSTANTLY ACCESSIBLE DATABASES )N PARTICULAR ) TRAVELLED THROUGH THE REGION ON OFlCIAL DUTY AS WELL AS PERSONAL VACATIONS $URING MY STAY IN *AKARTA ) VISITED EVERY PROVINCE IN )NDONESIA ) AM SURPRISED HOW FEW 3INGAPOREANS ARE AWARE OF THE SIZE OF )NDONESIA )F YOU mY FROM "ANDA !CEH TO *AYAPURA IN 0APUA IT IS A DISTANCE SIMILAR TO mYING FROM 3INGAPORE TO 4OKYO %VEN mYING FROM *AKARTA TO -EDAN TAKES ALMOST AN HOUR LONGER THAN mYING FROM *AKARTA TO 3INGAPORE 3INGAPOREANS LOOKING AT )NDONESIA HAVE THEREFORE TO APPRECIATE THE COMPLEXITY OF GOVERNING A STATE THAT STRETCHES OVER AN AREA AS VAST AS THAT OF CONTINENTAL 53 AND HAS A POPULATION OF OVER MILLION
5NITY IN $IVERSITY "ECAUSE OF THE DIVERSITY OF ITS POPULATION THE )NDONESIAN GOVERNMENT DURING THE 3UHARTO ERA REGARDED QUESTIONS OF ETHNICITY RELIGION RACE AND CLASS AS SENSITIVE ISSUES )N FACT THE ACRONYM 3!2! WAS COINED STANDING FOR 3UKU ETHNIC GROUP !GAMA RELIGION 2AS RACE AND !NTAR GOLONGAN )NTER IDEOLOGY OR INTER CLASS 4HE APPROACH WAS ONE OF DOWNPLAYING ISSUES THAT ARE DIVISIVE 4HE BELIEF WAS THAT DEBATING THESE ISSUES AROUSES PRIMORDIAL SENTIMENTS TO THE DETRIMENT OF POLITICAL STABILITY AND NATIONAL COHESION
%THNICITY )N )NDONESIA ITSELF OUTSIDE THE URBAN ELITE MOST )NDONESIANS IDENTIFY WITH THEIR OWN ETHNIC GROUP SUKU 7HEN WE WENT BEYOND FORMAL CONTACTS THE CONVERSATION OFTEN TURNED TO HABITS AND MANNERISMS
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EXPLAINED BY ETHNIC ORIGINS 4HE REALITY IS THAT )NDONESIA IS A PLURAL SOCIETY WITH DIFFERENT ETHNIC RACIAL AND SOCIO CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS (OWEVER IN CONTEMPORARY )NDONESIA EMPHASIS IS LAID ON THE CREATION OF A COLOURFUL MOSAIC REmECTED IN THE NATIONAL MOTTO "HINNEKA 4UNGGAL )KA 5NITY IN $IVERSITY &OR US IN 3INGAPORE THE INTERESTING FACET IS THAT THE STRESS IS ON THE SHARED EXPERIENCES WHICH BIND )NDONESIANS TOGETHER WHILE CELEBRATING THE DIVERSITY THAT GIVES CONTEMPORARY )NDONESIAN CULTURE A DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER 0RIOR TO MY DEPARTURE FROM )NDONESIA IN .OVEMBER ) CALLED ON 'ENERAL 7ISMOYO !RISMUNANDAR THEN !RMY #HIEF OF 3TAFF (E INTRODUCED ME TO HIS SENIOR OFlCERS AND MENTIONED THE ETHNIC ORIGINS OF THEIR WIVES ) WAS STRUCK BY THE FACT THAT MOST HAD MARRIED WOMEN FROM OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS
2ACE !PART FROM ETHNICITY RACE IS ANOTHER SENSITIVE ISSUE IN )NDONESIA 4HE FOCUS IS ON THE PRIBUMI#HINESE RELATIONSHIP 4HE ISSUE IS SENSITIVE BECAUSE OF THE ROLE OF THE #HINESE COMMUNITY IN THE )NDONESIAN ECONOMY 4HE BUSINESS CONGLOMERATES ARE PERCEIVED AS BENElTING FROM DE REGULATION BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ADOPTION OF EXPORT ORIENTED POLICIES 0RESSURES FOR A MORE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH AND FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIBUMI ARE LIKELY TO INCREASE 7HILE THERE WAS GROWING CONlDENCE WITHIN THE #HINESE COMMUNITY DURING THE 3UHARTO ERA THERE WAS AN UNDERLYING TENSION JUST BELOW THE SURFACE ESPECIALLY IN THE URBAN AREAS -ANY #HINESE FRIENDS THEREFORE KEPT SUFlCIENT FUNDS AT HOME IN CASE THEY NEEDED TO MAKE A QUICK GETAWAY 4HE 53 BILL AND 3INGAPORE NOTE WERE THE CURRENCIES OF CHOICE ) NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD THESE DEEPLY ENTRENCHED FEELINGS UNTIL THE RIOTS AND MAYHEM SURROUNDING 0RESIDENT 3UHARTOS RESIGNATION FROM OFlCE IN -AY WHEN THE #HINESE WERE A PRIMARY TARGET OF ATTACKS RAPES AND LOOTING AND THERE WAS AN EXODUS OF #HINESE FROM )NDONESIA
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6OEJQMPNBUJD 8BOEFSJOHT UISPVHI *OEPOFTJB
$OMINANCE OF *AVANESE #ULTURE IN 0OLITICS 4HE EXISTENCE OF A *AVANESE MAJORITY WHO ARE ALSO THE PREDOMINANT FORCE IN POLITICS AND THE ARMED FORCES HAS LED TO *AVANESE CULTURAL VALUES INmUENCING THE SHAPE OF CONTEMPORARY )NDONESIAN POLITICS *AVANESE CULTURE EMPHASISES AVOIDANCE OF CONmICT 4HE STRESS IS ON CONSENSUS MUFAKAT THROUGH CONSULTATIONS MUSYAWARAH A FEATURE OF MANY CULTURES IN !SIA )N PART THIS EMPHASIS ON TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTING DIVERSITY RESULTS FROM THE INmUENCE OF WAYANG CULTURE #ULTURAL VALUES ARE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE SHADOW PLAYS OF WAYANG !UTHORITY IS SEEN AS BEING A TOTALITY 4HE NOTION OF A DIVISION OF POWER IS UNTHINKABLE .O ONE COMPETES WITH THE *AVANESE RULER FOR HIS POWER 4HE *AVANESE ASSERT NGENDI ANA SURYA KEMBAR WHERE CAN YOU lND TWIN SUNS IN THE WORLD 7HILE ) WAS BASED IN *AKARTA 3UHARTO WAS QUICK TO UNDERMINE ANY POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE CENTRE OF POWER 7E FACED RECURRENT REQUESTS FROM -&! FOR ASSESSMENTS ON 3UHARTOS PLANS FOR POLITICAL SUCCESSION AS THE TENDENCY WAS TO LOOK AT 3INGAPORES EXPERIENCE AND TO READ DEVELOPMENTS IN )NDONESIA FROM A 3INGAPORE MINDSET )T WAS DIFlCULT TO CONVINCE OBSERVERS IN 3INGAPORE THAT 3UHARTO WOULD SELECT 6ICE 0RESIDENTS WHO WOULD BE UNLIKELY SUCCESSORS ! *AVANESE LEADER LIKE 3UHARTO WHO SHARED ABANGAN NOMINAL -USLIM VALUES MAY SEEK INSPIRATION BY MEDITATING IN A CAVE OR ON A REMOTE MOUNTAIN PEAK (E MAY CONSULT A DUKUN SHAMAN AND RITES OF PASSAGE ARE CELEBRATED WITH A SELAMETAN (E WOULD SEE NO CONTRADICTION IN GOING TO A MOSQUE OR PARTICIPATING IN )SLAMIC RITUALS GIVING HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN SUPPORT FROM DEVOUT -USLIMS (OWEVER A SANTRI DEVOUT -USLIM POLITICAL LEADER FROM THE ISLANDS OUTSIDE *AVA WHO CONSULTS DUKUNS PRACTISES MYSTICISM AND FOLLOWS *AVANESE RELIGIOUS CULTURAL RITUALS KEJAWEN WILL LOSE THE SUPPORT OF HIS -USLIM POLITICAL BASE 4HIS IS ONE REASON WHY ) ARGUED THAT )SLAM BASED POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE NEVER OBTAINED MORE THAN OF THE VOTE IN )NDONESIAS ELECTIONS !T THE SAME TIME WE NEEDED TO ALERT -&! THAT CULTURAL VALUES AND PRACTICES ARE NOT TIMELESS
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#BSSZ %FTLFS
AND UNCHANGING #OMPARED TO MY lRST POSTING IN *AKARTA -USLIM RELIGIOUSITY WAS MORE CLEARLY DISCERNIBLE IN THE S DURING MY TOUR AS !MBASSADOR %VEN CHILDREN OF ABANGAN FRIENDS STARTED TO BE MORE RELIGIOUS 7HILE )SLAM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH OPPOSITION TO THE 3UHARTO REGIME IN THE S 3UHARTOS OWN TURN TOWARDS )SLAM AND THE GROWING INmUENCE OF -USLIM INTELLECTUALS GROUPED AROUND 6ICE 0RESIDENT 0ROFESSOR " * (ABIBIE WERE A FEATURE OF THE S
4HE $UKUN AND THE %MBASSY #HANCERY ) WAS REMINDED OF THE NEED TO BE CULTURALLY SENSITIVE TO THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT WHEN THE %MBASSY MOVED INTO NEW UPMARKET PREMISES IN /CTOBER 7E REALISED THAT OUR LOCAL STAFF WERE HESITANT BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DIPLOMATIC ENCLAVE HAD BEEN BRUTALLY CLEARED OF SQUATTERS IN THE S AT A FEW HOURS NOTICE AND IT WAS IN THE VICINITY OF A FORMER GRAVEYARD !WARE OF THE DEEP BELIEF IN SPIRITS AMONGST OUR LARGELY *AVANESE STAFF WE ARRANGED FOR THE WIDOW OF ,T 'EN 3UDJONO (UMARDANI TO HANDLE THE CEREMONIES PRIOR TO OUR MOVING INTO THE CHANCERY 3UDJONO (UMARDANI HAD BEEN A GOOD FRIEND OF THE %MBASSY AND WAS REPUTEDLY THE SPIRITUAL ADVISER OF 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO WHILE HE WAS ALIVE ALTHOUGH HIS OFlCIAL TITLE WAS %CONOMIC !DVISER TO THE 0RESIDENT (IS WIDOW ARRANGED FOR THE BEST KNOWN DUKUN IN #ENTRAL *AVA TO HANDLE THE SELAMETAN ! BUFFALO WAS SACRIlCED AND A HOLE WAS DUG IN THE GROUNDS OF THE CHANCERY 4HE HEAD OF THE BUFFALO WAS BURIED WITH !NTHONY #HNG OUR $EPUTY #HIEF OF -ISSION 3YED (ASHIM THE $EFENCE !TTACHE 2ENGANAIDU THE #OUNSELLOR AND MYSELF ACTING AS GRAVEDIGGERS )N THE BEAUTIFULLY MANICURED GARDEN THE DUKUN DIRECTED THAT ) CEREMONIALLY PLANT A LIME TREE NEXT TO THE mAG POST &INALLY HE INSTRUCTED THAT ) SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE OFlCE AT EIGHT MINUTES TO ELEVEN THE NEXT MORNING WHEN THE %MBASSY OFlCIALLY OPENED FOR BUSINESS /UR LOCAL STAFF WAS PRESENT THROUGH THE CEREMONY AND WE ENDED WITH A FEAST ARRANGED BY )BU 3UDJONO (UMARDANI "ECAUSE OUR STAFF KNEW THAT THE APPROPRIATE PRACTICES HAD BEEN FOLLOWED AND WERE AWARE OF THE REPUTATION OF
"ARRY $ESKERINDD
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6OEJQMPNBUJD 8BOEFSJOHT UISPVHI *OEPOFTJB
3UDJONO (UMARDANI AND THE DUKUN WE DID NOT HAVE THE ANTICIPATED COMPLAINTS OF SPIRITS AND DISTRESSING EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF MY STAY IN *AKARTA
3HARED #ULTURES 4HE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE AND TRADITIONS IN )NDONESIA WAS BROUGHT HOME CLEARLY TO ME IN A COMMENT BY 4UNKU !BU "AKAR OF *OHOR WHO MARRIED A PRINCESS FROM 3OLO IN #ENTRAL *AVA IN 3PEAKING OF HIS WEDDING RITES HE SAID h4HE ADAT TRADITION IN )NDONESIA IS STRONG WHEREAS IN -ALAYSIA THE FOCUS IS ON RELIGIONv )N THE S BEGINNING WITH ,EE +HOON #HOYS TENURE AS !MBASSADOR IN -&!S )NDONESIA SPECIALISTS SOUGHT TO EDUCATE POLICY MAKERS ON THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA 7E POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO STATE RELIGION AND THAT THERE WAS A TOLERANT APPROACH TO RELIGION 4HE )NDONESIANS REINFORCED THIS POINT WHEN ,T 'EN 4UK 3ETYOHADI WAS APPOINTED AS THE )NDONESIAN AMBASSADOR TO 3INGAPORE IN WHILE ) WAS IN *AKARTA ! *AVANESE -USLIM HIS WIFE WAS A #HRISTIAN 0ROTESTANT 4HEY HAD FOUR CHILDREN THREE WERE -USLIMS AND ONE WAS #ATHOLIC
$ECENTRALISATION !T THAT TIME THE %MBASSY FOCUSED ON DEVELOPMENTS IN *AKARTA BECAUSE KEY DECISIONS WERE MADE BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT )N PROMOTING THE "ATAM )NDUSTRIAL 0ARK FACILITATING THE "INTAN RESORT PROJECT AND SEEKING THE 2IAU WATER AGREEMENT WE DEVELOPED CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY )NDONESIAN DECISION MAKERS #LOSE TIES HAD TO BE FORGED WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES BUT IT WAS THE ALLIANCES MADE IN *AKARTA THAT COUNTED 4HE CURRENT MOVES TO DECENTRALISE AUTHORITY AND TO GRANT GREATER REGIONAL AUTONOMY MARK A TREND TOWARDS A MORE RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT 4HERE HAS BEEN A REACTION TO THE OVER CENTRALISATION OF THE 3UHARTO ERA 7HEREAS THE EARLIER FOCUS WAS ON
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#BSSZ %FTLFS
CREATING A STATE AND )NDONESIAS LEADERS WERE PRE OCCUPIED WITH PREVENTING THE EMERGENCE OF CENTRIFUGAL TENDENCIES THE EMPHASIS TODAY IS INCREASINGLY ON ENSURING THAT THERE IS GREATER RECOGNITION OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL VARIATIONS
3UHARTOS ,EGACY "ECAUSE )NDONESIA HAS SEEN CHANGES IN ITS SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT SINCE FROM 2EVOLUTION TO 0ARLIAMENTARY $EMOCRACY TO 'UIDED $EMOCRACY UNDER 0RESIDENT 3UKARNO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE .EW /RDER AFTER AND 2EFORMASI POST THERE HAS BEEN A STRESS ON THE CONTINUITY OF THE 3TATE 4HIS IS SYMBOLISED BY THE RECOGNITION NOW ACCORDED TO FORMER 0RESIDENT 3UKARNO AS THE FOUNDING FATHER OF THE 2EPUBLIC )NDONESIANS REMEMBER 3UKARNOS ROLE IN BRINGING INDEPENDENCE AND CREATING A SENSE OF NATIONAL UNITY 4HE APPROACH IS ONE OF BURYING THE EVIL DEEDS WITH THE DEAD AND REMEMBERING THE GOOD THAT HAS BEEN DONE ACCORDING TO THE *AVANESE SAYING MIKUL DHUWUR MENDHEM JERO 3IMILARLY EVERY -INISTERS OFlCE HAS PORTRAITS OF HIS PREDECESSORS SINCE INDEPENDENCE EVEN OF -INISTERS WHO HAD BEEN IMPRISONED OR HAVE BECOME IDENTIlED WITH THE OPPOSITION !S A VISITOR ) WAS LEFT WITH THE STRIKING REMINDER THAT THE STATE CONTINUES EVEN THOUGH SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT MAY CHANGE "ECAUSE OF THESE PERSPECTIVES IN )NDONESIA MY PREDICTION IS THAT WHEN 3UHARTO DIES THERE WILL BE A RE ASSESSMENT OF HIS CONTRIBUTION TO )NDONESIA HIGHLIGHTING )NDONESIAS AVERAGE GROWTH OF OVER YEARS THE CONSOLIDATION OF A NATIONAL IDENTITY AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OUTWARD LOOKING COUNTRY WHICH SUCCESSFULLY LED !3%!. IN MEETING A RANGE OF CHALLENGES
,ESSONS ,EARNT (AVING PROVIDED SOME OF THE SIGNPOSTS TO UNDERSTANDING CONTEMPORARY )NDONESIA WHAT CAN 3INGAPORE LEARN FROM THE )NDONESIAN EXPERIENCE !RE THERE ANY LESSONS FOR US IN 3INGAPORE
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6OEJQMPNBUJD 8BOEFSJOHT UISPVHI *OEPOFTJB
&IRSTLY THE )NDONESIAN EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS THE RISKS OF ETHNIC RELIGIOUS RACIAL OR CLASS CONmICT IN ANY PLURAL SOCIETY SUCH AS 3INGAPORE )SSUES INVOLVING 3!2! SHOULD BE DOWNPLAYED BECAUSE THEY COULD SPARK A CONmAGRATION 3ECONDLY IT DRAWS OUR ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF TOLERANCE AND MUTUAL RESPECT WHILE WELCOMING THE DIVERSITY PRESENT WITHIN 3INGAPORE 4HIRDLY IN ATTEMPTING TO CHART OUR FUTURE CONSENSUS BUILDING IS ESSENTIAL AND IT IS A PROCESS THAT TAKES TIME 4HIS INVOLVES REACHING OUT NOT MERELY TO SELL A POINT OF VIEW BUT TO BUILD ON THE VALUES REPRESENTED IN THE COMMUNITY &OURTHLY THE )NDONESIAN APPROACH SHOWS THE BENElTS OF AN INCLUSIVE RATHER THAN EXCLUSIVE DElNITION OF WHO BELONGS TO THE NATIONSTATE $ESPITE OUR DIVERSE ORIGINS OUR CITIZENS WOULD BE DRAWN INTO THE PROCESS OF NATION BUILDING 4HIS WOULD FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF CREATING A 3INGAPORE IDENTITY &IFTHLY IT HIGHLIGHTS THE ADVANTAGE OF AN ESSENTIALLY SECULAR APPROACH TO POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN 3INGAPORE 4HERE IS A NEED FOR RESTRAINT IN PRESSING THE CLAIMS OF RELIGION IN A MULTI RELIGIOUS SOCIETY
#ONCLUSION 'IVEN THE DIFFERENCES IN OUR POLITICAL CULTURES WE ARE UNLIKELY TO AVOID THE EMERGENCE OF ISSUES IN THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN )NDONESIA AND 3INGAPORE 4HE FUNDAMENTAL INTERESTS OF )NDONESIA AND 3INGAPORE OVERRIDE THESE PERIODIC DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTION )T IS NECESSARY TO TAKE AN EVEN TEMPERED APPROACH TO OUR BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP SO THAT COMMON SENSE AND MUTUAL GOODWILL PREVAIL 4HE MANAGEMENT OF OUR BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP WILL THEREFORE ASSUME GREATER IMPORTANCE IN THE YEARS AHEAD
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!N %NRICHING ,EARNING %XPERIENCE IN 4HAILAND -R #ALVIN %5 IS 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO THE 2EPUBLIC OF +OREA WITH CONCURRENT ACCREDITATION TO -ONGOLIA (E JOINED THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE IN (E SERVED AS &IRST 3ECRETARY IN THE 3INGAPORE %MBASSY IN *AKARTA FROM TO AND AS &IRST 3ECRETARY AND LATER AS #OUNSELLOR IN THE 3INGAPORE %MBASSY IN "ANGKOK FROM TO (E RETURNED TO THE -INISTRY AS $IRECTOR 3OUTH EAST !SIA BEFORE ASSUMING DUTY AS #HARGE D!FFAIRES IN THE 3INGAPORE %MBASSY IN 9ANGON IN &EBRUARY 3UBSEQUENTLY HE WAS APPOINTED AS THE lRST RESIDENT !MBASSADOR OF THE 2EPUBLIC OF 3INGAPORE TO -YANMAR FROM *UNE TO 3EPTEMBER 5PON HIS RETURN TO THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS (EADQUARTERS HE SERVED AS $IRECTOR %AST !SIA AND THE 0ACIlC AND AS $IRECTOR 3OUTH %AST !SIA AND 2EGIONAL 0OLICY (E SERVED AS !MBASSADOR IN "ANGKOK FROM *ANUARY TO $ECEMBER (E WAS AWARDED THE &ULBRIGHT 3CHOLARSHIP IN
HAD SERVED IN "ANGKOK ON TWO SEPARATE STINTS n AND n "OTH STINTS WERE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES FOR A STUDENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE $URING MY lRST TERM IN "ANGKOK ) WITNESSED THE CYCLE OF A MILITARY BUREAUCRATIC REGIME GIVING WAY TO A POPULARLY ELECTED COALITION GOVERNMENT THAT WAS LATER PREMATURELY OUSTED BY A COUP IN WITH THE GENERALS APPOINTING AN INTERIM CIVILIAN TECHNOCRATIC REGIME TO REDRAFT THE CONSTITUTION !NOTHER GENERAL ELECTION TOOK PLACE SOON AFTER IN -ARCH BUT THERE WERE WIDESPREAD OPPOSITION AGAINST THE APPOINTMENT OF A COUP LEADER AS THE UNELECTED 0RIME -INISTER 4HE FRACTIOUS AND ACRIMONIOUS DOMESTIC DISSENT CULMINATED IN MASSIVE STREET PROTESTS LEADING TO A BLOODY CRACKDOWN 4HE DECISIVE MILITARY VERSUS PEOPLES POWER CONTEST WAS AVERTED WITH THE INTERVENTION OF THE 4HAI +ING WHO IS ABOVE POLITICS 4HE HIGHLY REVERED MONARCHY REMAINS THE lNAL ARBITER IN 4HAI DOMESTIC
)
#ALVIN %UINDD
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$BMWJO &V
POLITICS ! PERIOD OF RELATIVE CALM ENSUED WHEN THE +ING APPOINTED A CIVILIAN TECHNOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION IN *UNE 4HE OUTCOME OF THE NEXT ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN 3EPTEMBER SAW THE MILITARY RECEDING FROM THE POLITICS $URING THE RELATIVELY SHORT BUT TUMULTUOUS PERIOD OF TO THE ONLY MISSING PHENOMENON WHICH COULD BE FOUND IN A BASIC POLITICAL SCIENCE TEXTBOOK WAS A COUNTER COUP
4HE #HATICHAI !DMINISTRATION 7HEN ) lRST ARRIVED IN "ANGKOK IN THE POPULARLY ELECTED #HATICHAI #HOONHAVAN GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN OVER FROM THE MILITARY TECHNOCRATIC 0REM 4INSULANONDA !DMINISTRATION FOR ABOUT MORE THAN A YEAR (OWEVER THE NEW FOUND POLITICAL FREEDOM AND PLURALITY TOGETHER WITH A VIBRANT ECONOMY HAD APPARENTLY GIVEN RISE TO WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION 4HE MEDIA DESCRIBED THE PRO BIG BUSINESS #HATICHAI !DMINISTRATION AS A hBUFFETv AND LATER AS A hFAST FOODv CABINET WHERE POLITICAL LEADERS COULD CHERRY PICK PROJECTS FOR THEIR OWN KICKBACKS !PART FROM THIS #HATICHAI ADVOCATED A POLICY OF TURNING THE BATTLElELDS IN )NDOCHINA INTO MARKET PLACES !S SUCH HE WAS PREPARED TO ACCOMMODATE 6IETNAMS ANNEXATION AND OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA 4HAT ORIENTATION WAS OUT OF SYNC WITH THE PREVAILING !3%!. POLICY ON THE #AMBODIAN PROBLEM AND EFFORTS TO THWART THE SOUTHWARD EXPANSION OF 6IETNAM -OST DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS WERE THROWN OFF GUARD AS THEY SEARCHED FOR AN APPROPRIATE MODUS VIVENDI VIS Ë VIS THE UNCONVENTIONAL AND PROGRESSIVE STYLE OF THE #HATICHAI GOVERNMENT (OWEVER THAT SEARCH WAS SHORT LIVED WITH THE OUSTER OF #HATICHAI
-ILITARY #OUP !GAINST #ORRUPT 'OVERNMENT 4HE REPORTED RAMPANT CORRUPTION AND PERCEIVED ATTEMPT OF #HATICHAI TO KEEP THE MILITARY IN CHECK LED TO A SWIFT COUP ORCHESTRATED BY 'ENERAL 3UCHINDA +RAPRAYOON AND HIS h#LASS v COHORTS ON
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"O &OSJDIJOH -FBSOJOH &YQFSJFODF JO 5IBJMBOE
&EBRUARY )T DID NOT COME AS A COMPLETE SURPRISE FOR TALKS OF A COUP HAD BEEN CIRCULATING AROUND AND THERE WAS GENERAL UNHAPPINESS TOWARDS THE REPORTED EXCESSES OF THE #HATICHAI !DMINISTRATION ) WAS HAVING A ,UNAR .EW 9EAR LUNCH GATHERING WITH OUR HOME BASED OFlCERS AT MY HOME WHEN NEWS OF THE COUP BROKE OUT 4HE COINCIDENCE HAD ENABLED US TO MOVE OUT IMMEDIATELY AND REPORT ON THE GROUND SITUATION &ORTUNATELY IT WAS A BLOODLESS COUP BACKED BY POPULAR SUPPORT 7ITHIN THE NEXT HOURS WE WERE AMONG THE lRST FEW COUNTRIES THAT RECOGNISED THE JUNTA AND CALLED ON THE COUP LEADERS AS WELL AS THE 3UPREME #OMMANDER 'ENERAL 3OONTHORN +ONGSOMPONG WHO BECAME THE #HAIRMAN OF THE .ATIONAL 0EACE +EEPING #OUNCIL .0+# 4HE GENERALS MOVED SWIFTLY AND ON -ARCH APPOINTED A RESPECTED DIPLOMAT !NAND 0ANYARACHUN AS THE 0- WHO THEN FORMED A CABINET OF CAPABLE TECHNOCRATS 4HE COUP LEADERS ALSO APPOINTED A NEW LEGISLATURE TO DRAFT A NEW CONSTITUTION 4HE !NAND ) !DMINISTRATION OPERATED WITH THE KEY HALLMARKS OF THE 0REM !DMIN NAMELY EFlCIENCY COMBINED WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF COORDINATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
3UCHINDA 5NACCEPTABLE 04HE -ARCH GENERAL ELECTION WAS A TIGHT CONTEST AND AS EXPECTED THE PRO .0+# ALLIANCE WON &OLLOWING A SERIES OF POST ELECTION BICKERING AND MANOEUVRES 'ENERAL 3UCHINDA WAS APPOINTED AS THE TH 0- )T WAS AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT AND DEEMED AS AN IMPRUDENT MOVE BY 3UCHINDA WHO HAD BECOME A RESPECTED AND POPULAR lGURE IN OUSTING A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT 4HE APPOINTMENT OF 3UCHINDA TRIGGERED WIDESPREAD UNHAPPINESS FANNED PARTICULARLY BY THE POLITICAL PARTIES 4HEY OPPOSED 3UCHINDA FOR BEING A NON ELECTED INDIVIDUAL AND HIS PREMIERSHIP WAS PROJECTED AS A hSILENT COUPv TO ENABLE THE MILITARY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE 'OVERNMENT THROUGH THE BACKDOOR
#ALVIN %UINDD
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$BMWJO &V
#HALARD 6ORACHARTS (UNGER 3TRIKE 7HEN #HALARD 6ORACHART A POLITICAL ACTIVIST STARTED A HUNGER STRIKE ON !PRIL THE 3UCHINDA GOVERNMENT READILY DISMISSED IT (OWEVER IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS OTHER ANTI 3UCHINDA ELEMENTS STARTED TO JOIN THE HUNGER STRIKE AND LAUNCH MORE PROTESTS !LMOST EVERY EVENING IN EARLY -AY THE SCENE AT THE $EMOCRACY -ONUMENT WAS THE FOCAL POINT FOR NUMEROUS WELL DRESSED YOUNG MIDDLE AND UPPER MIDDLE CLASS 4HAIS ARMED WITH MOBILE TELEPHONES TO CONGREGATE AND LISTEN TO lERY ANTI 3UCHINDA SPEECHES 3OON THE WHOLE DEMONSTRATION WAS POPULARLY TERMED AS THE MOBILE PHONE DRIVEN PROTEST AND THE DEMONSTRATION SITE BECAME A PLACE FOR THESE 4HAIS TO SEE AND BE SEEN 4HE ATMOSPHERE WAS A MIXTURE OF VIBRANT STREET BAZAAR COMBINED WITH INTENSE POLITICAL TAUNTING AND AGITATION (OWEVER AS THE CROWD BUILT UP OVER TIME IT SOON TRANSFORMED INTO A BATTLE OF NERVE AND TOLERANCE BETWEEN THE WEARY TROOPS AND THE UNRULY AND TAUNTING PROTESTORS 4HE PRESENCE OF A LARGE CROWD OF CURIOUS BYSTANDERS BLURRED AND FURTHER COMPLICATED THE INTENSE DIVIDE /N ONE OF MY RETURN TRIPS FROM THE DEMONSTRATION SITE THERE WERE GANGS OF MOTORCYCLISTS SMASHING TRAFlC LIGHTS WITH POLICEMEN lRING THEIR WEAPONS ON OPEN TOP PICKUP TRUCKS IN PURSUIT ALONG THE MAIN BOULEVARD /N -AY A 3TATE OF %MERGENCY WAS DECLARED AFTER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE 'OVERNMENT AND PROTESTORS COLLAPSED 4HE ANTI 3UCHINDA ELEMENTS RAISED THE ANTE WITH GREATER DElANCE AND THE TELEVISION BROADCASTED FOOTAGE OF BURNING VEHICLES AND BLOODY CLASHES BETWEEN THE PROTESTORS AND THE TROOPS "ANGKOKIANS WHO WERE ACCUSTOMED TO COUPS AND COUNTER COUPS WERE GRIPPED WITH FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY ESPECIALLY WITH WIDESPREAD RUMOURS THAT THE ND !RMY BASED IN .AKHON 2ACHASIMA AND THE RD !RMY BASED IN 0HITSANULOK WERE MOVING THEIR TROOPS TO THE CITY FOR A FREE FOR ALL POWER CONTEST .O ONE THEN REALLY KNEW WHO WOULD BE ON WHOSE SIDE
#ALVIN %UINDD
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"O &OSJDIJOH -FBSOJOH &YQFSJFODF JO 5IBJMBOE
h"LACK -AYv ) WAS WITH A COUPLE OF OUR OFlCERS AT THE $EMOCRACY -ONUMENT WHEN THE TROOPS STARTED TO OPEN lRE ON THE PROTESTERS .UMEROUS VOLLEYS WERE lRED AND THERE WERE MASSIVE CHAOS AND CASUALTIES 4HE 4HAI MILITARY HAD IN FACT EARLIER IN THE EVENING ADVISED ME NOT TO VISIT THE SITE AS THE DEMONSTRATIONS WERE GETTING OUT OF HAND AND THE AUTHORITIES HAD PLANNED TO QUELL IT )T WAS FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE CHAOTIC SCENE UNSCATHED (OWEVER THE PROTESTERS REMAINED DElANT AND MORE SHOTS WERE lRED )T WAS SAID THAT FATALITIES WERE RESULTED FROM THE h"LACK -AYv INCIDENTS
2ETURN OF !NAND AS 04HE DECISIVE BATTLE BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND PEOPLES POWER WAS AVERTED WITH THE TIMELY INTERVENTION OF +ING "HUMIBOL ON -AY "OTH 3UCHINDA AND #HAMLONG 3RIMUANG LEADER OF THE PROTESTERS HAD AN AUDIENCE WITH THE +ING WHO CENSURED WHAT HAPPENED AND INSTRUCTED THEM TO STOP THE FEUD IMMEDIATELY 4HAT EVENT WAS TELECAST LIVE NATION WIDE /N -AY 3UCHINDA RESIGNED AND THE PROTESTERS DISBANDED 4HE SEARCH FOR AN INTERIM 0- WAS DIFlCULT AND INCONCLUSIVE UNTIL THE +ING STEPPED IN AND APPOINTED !NAND )N HIS SECOND TERM !NAND TOOK STEPS TO DISMANTLE THE MILITARY CONTROL OF THE KEY ENTERPRISES AS WELL AS EXPEDITE THE DRAFTING OF A NEW CONSTITUTION TO FURTHER DILUTE THE POLITICAL ROLE OF THE MILITARY 4HE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION WAS HELD ON 3EPTEMBER AND IT SAW A NARROW VICTORY BY THE PRO DEMOCRACY POLITICAL PARTIES 4HAT WAS THE PRELUDE FOR THE EVENTUAL RETURN OF THE 4HAI MILITARY TO THE BARRACKS FOLLOWING THE h"LACK -AYv INCIDENTS )NTERESTINGLY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING HIS RESIGNATION 3UCHINDA WAS SAID TO HAVE hDISAPPEAREDv 4HIS PROMPTED AN ENDLESS BARRAGE OF TELEPHONE CALLS TO ME ENQUIRING WHETHER 3UCHINDA WAS SEEKING REFUGE IN OUR CHANCERY OR ONE OF OUR OFlCIAL RESIDENCES 3OME EVEN
#ALVIN %UINDD
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$BMWJO &V
CLAIMED THAT WE HAD QUIETLY TRANSPORTED HIM TO 3INGAPORE WITH A LIGHT AIRCRAFT THAT WE HAD ON STANDBY AT AN UNDERGROUND HANGER IN ONE OF OUR OFlCIAL PROPERTIES 4HIS FANTASY STEMMED FROM THE SPURIOUS BELIEF THAT WE HAD DONE SO PREVIOUSLY WHEN 3INGAPORE PROVIDED POLITICAL ASYLUM TO &IELD -ARSHAL 4HANOM +ITTIKACHORN IN THE S
#ONCLUSION -Y lRST FOUR YEAR POSTING HAD OFFERED REMARKABLE AND VALUABLE SCOPE FOR ME TO FURTHER DEVELOP AS AN ANALYST ON 4HAILAND AS WELL AS A POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENT 4HE CYCLE OF CHANGE AND THE VARIED RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT 4HAILAND HAD PRESENTED DURING THAT PERIOD WERE UNIQUE ) WAS FORTUNATE TO BE THERE TO WITNESS THE MAJOR PHASES OF POLITICAL TRANSITION ) HAVE THREE OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE 4HAIS THAT WE SHOULD BEAR IN MIND AS WE GET TO KNOW THEM &IRST FOR THE 4HAIS "UDDHISM IS A VITAL FACTOR IN MANY KEY ASPECTS OF THEIR LIFE 4HEIR STRONG BELIEF IN THEIR OWN KARMA HAS SHAPED THEIR WORLD VIEW AND LIFE !S SUCH 4HAIS TEND TO BE MORE TOLERANT PATIENT COURTEOUS AND CHARITABLE 4HEY WOULD ALWAYS SEEK TO AVOID DIRECT CONFRONTATION AND ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE CONmICTS AND DISPUTES AMICABLY 0HYSICAL AND MILITANT ACTION IS THEIR LAST RESORT 3ECOND THE 4HAIS LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THEIR MONARCHY IS AS ENDURING AS 4HAI HISTORY ITSELF 4HE MONARCHY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE LONG ESTABLISHED RALLYING POINT IN TIME OF NATIONAL DIFlCULTIES AS WELL AS THE KEY STABILISING FORCE WITHIN THE COUNTRY 4HAIS WILL LOOK TO THE MONARCHY AS THE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND COURAGE 4HIRD GIVEN ITS LONG HISTORY COMBINED WITH A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL AND SPONTANEOUS CULTURAL ASSIMILATION AND ACCOMMODATING PRACTICES 4HAILAND HAS EVOLVED INTO A HIGHLY INTRICATE AND STRATIlED COUNTRY 4HE ONSET OF MODERNISATION AND GLOBALISATION HAS LED TO SOME EROSION OF THE HIERARCHY (OWEVER THE COMPLEX WEB OF INTERLOCKING FAMILY AS WELL AS PATRON CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS
#ALVIN %UINDD
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"O &OSJDIJOH -FBSOJOH &YQFSJFODF JO 5IBJMBOE
IS STILL VERY MUCH INTACT #OSMOPOLITANISM AND CONSERVATISM HAVE CO EXISTED WITH MINIMAL STRAIN FOR CENTURIES 4HIS UNIQUE CHARACTERISTIC HAS CONTINUOUSLY REINFORCED THE FOUNDATIONS OF A MODERN NATION AND BUILT A DYNAMIC AND COMPETITIVE ECONOMY TO MEET THE RAPID GLOBAL CHANGES AND CHALLENGES
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0ERSONAL 2ELATIONS AND $IPLOMACY -R *ACKY &// WAS APPOINTED 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO THE 0HILIPPINES IN (E JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS IN (IS lRST OVERSEAS POSTING WAS AT THE 3INGAPORES #OMMERCIAL 2EPRESENTATIVES /FlCE IN "EIJING IN (E WAS PART OF THE TEAM WHICH NEGOTIATED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND #HINA (E SUBSEQUENTLY SERVED AS &IRST 3ECRETARY AT THE 3INGAPORE %MBASSY IN "EIJING FROM TO (E HEADED THE -INISTRYS 0OLICY 0LANNING AND !NALYSIS $IRECTORATE ))) WHICH COVERS %AST !SIA AND !USTRALASIA IN )N ADDITION HE ALSO SERVED AS THE $IRECTOR OF THE 4ECHNICAL #OOPERATION $IRECTORATE OVERSEEING THE 3INGAPORE #OOPERATION 0ROGRAMME IN (E WAS THE $IRECTOR OF !DMINISTRATION AND SUBSEQUENTLY #ORPORATE !FFAIRS IN &ROM HE HAS SERVED AS THE $IRECTOR OF )NTERNATIONAL %CONOMICS IN THE -INISTRYS HEADQUARTERS IN 3INGAPORE (E WAS AWARDED 3INGAPORES 0UBLIC !DMINISTRATION -EDAL 3ILVER IN
JOINED THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE IN AND WAS APPOINTED !MBASSADOR TO THE 0HILIPPINES IN )N MY YEARS IN THE SERVICE ) HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE MANY KEY GLOBAL AND LOCAL EVENTS THAT HAVE IMPACTED THE WORLD AND THOSE AROUND ME &ROM BEING SHOT AT WHEN ) WAS IN "EIJING DURING THE 4IANANMEN INCIDENT TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND #HINA FROM SPEARHEADING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE NEW HOME IN 4ANGLIN TO INTRODUCING EMAIL ON WHAT WAS THEN MAINFRAME COMPUTERS TO THE -INISTRY FROM RUNNING THE .'/ #ENTRE AT THE INAUGURAL 74/ -INISTERIAL -EETING IN 3INGAPORE TO WITNESSING THE 0HILIPPINES %$3! )) REVOLUTION ) HAVE HAD ONE INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE AFTER ANOTHER 4HROUGH ALL THESE EXPERIENCES ) BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS ONE KEY PRINCIPLE THAT HAD ALLOWED ME TO SURVIVE AND TO THRIVE IN BOTH
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4HE SECOND 0EOPLES 0OWER 2EVOLUTION IN THE 0HILIPPINES 4HIS REVOLUTION REMOVED 0RESIDENT *OSEPH %STRADA FROM OFlCE
*ACKY &OOINDD
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THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE AND IN MY PERSONAL LIFE THAT PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY TO MAKING THINGS WORK
!CCESS AND &RIENDSHIPS ,ET ME MAKE AN OBSERVATION OF OUR PIONEER BATCH OF AMBASSADORS IN POST INDEPENDENCE 3INGAPORE "ACK THEN WHEN 3INGAPORE WAS BUT A mEDGLING STATE OUR AMBASSADORS HAD LITTLE TO RELY ON TO SUPPORT THEIR WORK 4HEY DID NOT HAVE THE lNANCIAL RESOURCES OR TODAYS EVER SO EFlCIENT CIVIL SERVICE AT HOME TO PROVIDE CONTACTS AND BRIElNGS !LL THEY COULD RELY ON WAS THEIR WIT CHARM AND POWERS OF PERSUASION WHICH OPENED DOORS AND ULTIMATELY ALLOWED THEM TO BUILD UP CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY INDIVIDUALS THAT HELPED PUT 3INGAPORE ON THE WORLD MAP %VEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE LUXURY OF EVERY CONCEIVABLE TECHNOLOGY AND A lRST CLASS PUBLIC SERVICE BEHIND US TODAY SUCH CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS CONTINUE TO BE KEY &OR EXAMPLE WHEN ) WAS #HIEF .EGOTIATOR OF THE 3INGAPORE *ORDAN &4! ) BELIEVE IT WAS IN PART MY EXCELLENT RAPPORT WITH MY *ORDANIAN COUNTERPART WHICH HELPED SEAL THE &4! IN RECORD TIME !ND BY NOW IT HAS GONE DOWN IN THE ANNALS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE THAT IT WAS THE PERSONAL CHEMISTRY AND A MIDNIGHT GOLF GAME BETWEEN 0- 'OH AND 53 0RESIDENT "ILL #LINTON WHICH LAUNCHED THE 533&4! )F PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE SO IMPORTANT 3INGAPORES AMBASSADORS TODAY WOULD HAVE A FAR EASIER TIME 4HE lRST THING THAT STRUCK ME IN THE WEEKS AFTER PRESENTING CREDENTIALS IN THE 0HILIPPINES WAS THE ACCESS GIVEN TO THE 3INGAPORE AMBASSADOR ) WAS NEW )T WAS NOT ME BUT THE OFlCE )T WAS THE BLUE CHIP REPUTATION OF 3INGAPORE 7HILE MY PREDECESSORS WOULD HAVE STRUGGLED TO MEET PEOPLE PEOPLE WANTED TO MEET ME AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF A COUNTRY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR STUNNING ECONOMIC SUCCESS STERLING GOVERNANCE AND REFRESHING IDEAS
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%CONOMIC $IPLOMACY !CCESS CONTACTS AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS ARE EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IN ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS DIPLOMACY !ND ONCE AGAIN ) FEEL ) WAS REALLY FORTUNATE /UR NATIONAL POLICY TO BUILD AN EXTERNAL ECONOMIC WING HAS PROVIDED OUR AMBASSADORS NEW TOOLS FOR THE TRADE 3INGAPORE HAS BECOME A SIGNIlCANT FOREIGN INVESTOR )T WAS CLEAR TO ME FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THAT ECONOMIC WORK IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES )N THE EARLY YEARS THE FOREIGN SERVICE WAS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH SECURITY AND POLITICAL ISSUES SAVE FOR A FEW KEY POSTS AS SOURCES OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS AND MARKET ACCESS 4ODAY WITH OUR COMPANIES GOING OVERSEAS THE !MBASSADOR CAN BE A VERY BUSY MAN !N EFFECTIVE AMBASSADOR CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ASSISTING OUR COMPANIES AS THEY REGIONALISE )N THE 0HILIPPINES ) FOUND MYSELF CONSTANTLY SOUGHT OUT TO SHARE MY READING OF THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT OFlCIATE AT BUSINESS EVENTS PROVIDE ADVICE ON JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS NOMINATE BOARD MEMBERS AND TO HELP CLARIFY GOVERNMENT REGULATORY REGIMES &ROM TIME TO TIME WHEN THERE ARE BUSINESS DISPUTES THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILL SEEK MY HELP TO PUT THEM IN CONTACT WITH KEY GOVERNMENT OFlCIALS WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP /N THE mIPSIDE ) WAS FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT 3INGAPORE COMPANIES )T IS ALSO NOT UNCOMMON FOR &ILIPINO BUSINESSMEN TO SEEK MY HELP TO ATTRACT POTENTIAL 3INGAPORE INVESTMENTS ) TRULY RELISH THIS ASPECT OF THE AMBASSADORS DUTIES AND QUICKLY DIVED INTO IT 4HIS CREATES A NETWORK OF BUSINESS CONTACTS AND ALLOWS ME TO DEVELOP CLOSE PERSONAL TIES WITH MEMBERS OF THE INmUENTIAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THE 0HILIPPINES
4HREE 0RINCIPLES 4O ME EFFECTIVE DIPLOMACY IS ABOUT COMMUNICATING IDEAS AND DESIRES TO A THIRD PARTY WITH THE GOAL OF CONVINCING THEM TO BUY INTO YOUR IDEA 4HROUGH MY YEARS IN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE ) STOOD GUIDED
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BY THREE KEY PRINCIPLES &IRST ON MANY ISSUES THAT ) DEAL WITH BOTH IN MY OFlCIAL CAPACITY AND ALSO MY PERSONAL CAPACITY ) SEEK OUT MUTUAL INTERESTS AND WORK TOWARDS WIN WIN OUTCOMES )N THE REAL WORLD OPPORTUNITY CURVES ARE FAR FROM TANGENTIAL 4HUS WHILE VIGOROUSLY PURSUING A NEW AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT ) TOOK GREAT EFFORT TO EXPLAIN TO A CROSS SECTION OF &ILIPINO INTERESTS HOW AN EXPANDED AIR AGREEMENT WILL BENElT THE 0HILIPPINES 4HIS HELPED -ALACANANG 0ALACE TAKE THE DIFlCULT DECISION TO SIGN A NEW AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH 3INGAPORE 3ECOND ) SEEK TO LOOK OUT FOR THE PERSONAL ELEMENT 4HE ART OF DIPLOMACY IS NEVER JUST ABOUT CUT AND DRY LOGIC 7HILE SOUND IDEAS MATTER PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP IS A CRUCIAL ELEMENT )T CAN MAKE OR BREAK DEALS (ENCE WHILE IN THE 0HILIPPINES NO MATTER HOW TIRESOME NO MATTER HOW UNIMPORTANT IT SEEMED ) ALWAYS MADE IT A POINT TO ACCEPT AS MANY INVITATIONS AS POSSIBLE JUST TO MAKE FRIENDS ) HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT THERE MUST BE SOMETHING TO LEARN FROM THE PEOPLE ) MEET AND MAKE IT A POINT TO SEEK THESE OUT 4HIRD ) SEE THE NEED TO EMPATHISE WITH OTHERS IN THE WORK ) DID )N THE 0HILIPPINES ) WORKED TO UNDERSTAND THE LOCAL CULTURE AND TO IMPRESS UPON MY COUNTERPARTS THAT ) APPRECIATED AND WAS DOING MY BEST TO UNDERSTAND THEM )N #HINA ) MARRIED MY #HINESE WIFE 4ODAY SLIGHTLY MORE SEASONED ) HAVE BEEN ASKED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS TO SPEAK TO NEW RECRUITS ABOUT THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE 7ITHOUT FAIL ) HAVE TOLD THEM THAT THEY COULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN A MORE INTERESTING PROFESSION 'RANTED THAT IT IS HARD WORK BUT THE LEARNING IS ONE EXHILARATING RIDE !ND THE CURIOUS THING IS THE MORE ) AM AWAY FROM 3INGAPORE THE MORE ) GROW TO LOVE AND APPRECIATE OUR COUNTRY
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,EARNING FROM /THERS -R -ARK (/.' 4AT 3OON IS CURRENTLY A 6ICE #HAIRMAN OF THE )NTERNATIONAL #OMMITTEE OF THE 3INGAPORE "USINESS &EDERATION 3"& AN )NTERNATIONAL !DVISER TO THE 0ORT OF 3INGAPORE !UTHORITY 03! AND A 6ISITING 2ESEARCH &ELLOW AT THE )NSTITUTE OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 3TUDIES )3%!3 FROM &EBRUARY (E JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! IN /CTOBER AND SERVED AT THE 3INGAPORE %MBASSY IN 0HNOM 0ENH FROM TO AT THE 3INGAPORE #OMMISSION IN (ONG +ONG TO AT THE 3INGAPORE %MBASSY IN 0ARIS FROM TO AND AT THE 3INGAPORE 0ERMANENT -ISSION TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN .EW 9ORK AS $EPUTY 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE FROM TO )N THE -&! (EADQUARTERS HE HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS SENIOR CAPACITIES (IS LAST POSTING WAS AS 3INGAPORE !MBASSADOR TO 2USSIA AND 5KRAINE FROM .OVEMBER TO -ARCH &ROM -AY TO *ANUARY HE WORKED AT THE )NSTITUTE OF $EFENCE AND 3TRATEGIC 3TUDIES 3INGAPORE AS 6ISITING 3ENIOR &ELLOW (E WAS AWARDED FOUR SCHOLARSHIPS 0RESIDENT (UMANITIES &ULBRIGHT AND "EST %NTRANT IN THE 3INGAPORE 5NIVERSITY NOW KNOWN AS THE .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE
! -ODEL $IPLOMAT Y YEARS IN THE 3INGAPORE &OREIGN 3ERVICE HAVE TAUGHT ME THAT THE ESSENTIALS OF SMALL STATE DIPLOMACY ARE TO BEFRIEND ALL TO TRY TO INmUENCE AS MANY BY HUMILITY ABILITY AND INTEGRITY AND TO EXERCISE SOFT POWER BUT TO KNOW WHEN TO BE TOUGH MINDED AND STAND lRM AGAINST PRESSURES !N EXEMPLARY DIPLOMAT WAS OUR FORMER 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY 03 3 2 .ATHAN NOW 0RESIDENT OF THE 2EPUBLIC OF 3INGAPORE ) HAD THE INTERESTING AND EDIFYING EXPERIENCE OF BEING THE ONLY DESK OFlCER WHEN ) WAS THEN COVERING THE -ALAYSIA $ESK OF UNDERGOING AN /RAL %XAM ON WHAT ) KNEW AND DID NOT KNOW ABOUT -ALAYSIA (E OF COURSE KNEW SO MUCH MORE ABOUT THIS SUBJECT ) LEARNT ABOUT MENTAL TOUGHNESS FROM HIM (E WAS THE POINT MAN WHEN THINGS GOT
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ROUGH HE RODE IN THE PLANE WITH THE *APANESE 2ED !RMY HIJACKERS WHEN THEY WERE mOWN OUT OF 3INGAPORE AFTER THEY HAD HIJACKED A FERRY CALLED THE ,AJU ,ATER ON HE WOULD BE SENT INTO VARIOUS SENSITIVE POSTS TO SORT THINGS OUT AS A SAFE PAIR OF HANDS ) LEARNT THE NEED TO BE SURE OF FACTS TO COVER DETAILS AND TO BE PAINSTAKING IN WORK AND DOCUMENTS -ANY WERE THE DRAFT #ABINET MEMOS THAT WERE SENT BACK FROM THE 03 OFlCE TO THE DESK FOR FURTHER POLISHING 3 2 .ATHAN AND A FEW OTHER SENIOR OFlCERS CARRIED THE HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EARLY -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! WHEN MANY OF THE YOUNGER ONES DID NOT QUITE KNOW THE PROPER WAY OF CONDUCTING DIPLOMACY )T WAS THE PERSONAL QUALITIES AND INTEGRITY OF THE SENIOR OFlCIALS WHICH CARRIED -&! THROUGH OUR EARLY LIFE 4HESE OFlCERS SHOWED COMMON TRAITS OF STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND CAPABILITIES AND COOLNESS UNDER PRESSURE !LL COUNTRIES NEED SUCH CAPABLE PEOPLE WHO CAN BE CALLED CRISIS HANDLERS )N MY VIEW -&! SHOULD NURTURE CONSTANTLY A CORE GROUP OF YOUNG CAPABLE OFlCERS AND EXPOSE THEM TO CRISIS HANDLING AS -&! IS THE FRONTLINE AGENCY )N MY TIME ) HAD HANDLED EXCITING CHALLENGES SUCH AS THE -ICHAEL &AY AND #ONTEMPLACION CASES AND LEARNT THE IMPORTANCE OF TOUGH MINDEDNESS lRST HAND 4HE ABILITY TO READ CHARACTER NOTING GOOD TRAITS IN YOUNG OFlCERS IN NURTURING THEM AND STANDING BY THEM WAS ALSO A COMMON TRAIT FOR THESE EXEMPLARY SENIORS WHO COULD FORGIVE SMALL MISTAKES MADE BY YOUNG OFlCERS AND NOT HOLD GRUDGES FOR DECADES /N THEIR PART YOUNG &OREIGN 3ERVICE /FlCERS &3/S SHOULD NOTE THE GOOD QUALITIES OF SENIOR OFlCERS AND TRY TO EMULATE THEM
,ESSONS ,EARNT FROM 0OSTINGS #AMBODIA &ROM MY lRST POSTING IN 0HNOM 0ENH DURING THE LAST DAYS OF THE ,ON .OL REGIME IN n WHERE ) WAS ASSIGNED RIGHT UP TO THE LAST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE FALL OF THE CAPITAL TO THE +HMER 2OUGE +2
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IN -ARCH ) LEARNT ABOUT THE USELESSNESS OF DEFENDING A CORRUPT REGIME 4HE ,ON .OL SOLDIERS WERE OFTEN NOT PAID AND THEY WOULD SHOW THEIR DISPLEASURE BY THROWING HAND GRENADES INTO CINEMAS )F OUR 3INGAPORE !RMED &ORCES MEN DO NOT BELIEVE IN THEIR CAUSE AND COUNTRY NO MATTER HOW SOPHISTICATED THEIR WEAPONRY THEY WILL NOT DEFEND AND lGHT TO THE LAST 4HE +2 NUMBERED ABOUT AND HAD INFERIOR WEAPONS WHICH THEY HAD RECEIVED FROM 6IETNAMESE SOURCES YET THEY DEFEATED THE ,ON .OL ARMY WHICH WAS EQUIPPED WITH 53 WEAPONS -Y #AMBODIA POSTING TAUGHT ME THE LESSONS OF NATIONAL DISINTEGRATION WHICH OCCURS WHEN THE ORDINARY CITIZENS AND SOLDIERS LOSE FAITH IN THE GOVERNMENT AND NATIONAL CAUSES 4HE 53 HAD USED "S TO BOMBARD BOTH THE +2 AND THE 6IETCONG BUT IT WAS GOVERNMENTAL CORRUPTION AND SELF INTERESTS THAT ENABLED THE +2 AND 6IETCONG TO WIN THE WAR
(ONG +ONG &ROM #AMBODIA ) WAS NEXT POSTED TO (ONG +ONG IN WHERE ) DID #HINA WATCHING DURING THE YEARS WHEN BOTH 0REMIER :HOU %NLAI AND #HAIRMAN -AO :EDONG WERE LIVING THEIR LAST MONTHS 4HESE SHOWED ME THE LESSONS OF THE NEED FOR POLITICAL STABILITY AND SMOOTH LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS )N (ONG +ONG AND IN #HINA PEOPLE WERE WORRIED ABOUT WHO WOULD DIE lRST :HOU OR -AO AS THEY FELT THAT POLITICAL STABILITY WOULD BE BETTER IF 0REMIER :HOU LIVED LONGER )T WAS LUCKY FOR #HINA THAT IT HAD SUCH A WEALTH OF TALENTS AND THAT THE GREAT $ENG 8IAOPING HAD BEEN SPARED BY #HAIRMAN -AO AND WAS THUS AVAILABLE TO RESCUE #HINA FROM THE PLOTS OF THE 'ANG OF &OUR TO SEIZE POWER AFTER -AO HAD DIED 7HEN 0REMIER :HOU DIED MORE THAN ONE BILLION PEOPLE MOURNED HIS PASSING AND ) WONDERED HOW HE HAD BECOME SO BELOVED BY SO MANY (IS HUMILITY WAS SHOWN EVEN IN DEATH WHEN 0REMIER :HOU ASKED THAT HE BE CREMATED AND HIS ASHES BE STREWN SO THAT HIS GRAVE WOULD NOT BECOME A
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SHRINE :HOU HAD BEEN WISE IN NEVER WANTING TO BE .UMBER 4WO TO -AO BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD THAT GREAT LEADERS WERE SOMETIMES INSECURE AND POTENTIAL SUCCESSORS WOULD BE REMOVED AS HAPPENED TO ,IU 3HAOCHI AND ,IN 0IAO $ENG EVENTUALLY TURNED #HINA INTO AN ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND THERE ARE MANY LESSONS THEREIN WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE SPACE TO DISCUSS
&RANCE &ROM (ONG +ONG ) WAS THEN POSTED TO 0ARIS FROM n ) MARVELLED AT THE WEALTH OF &RANCE AND THE RICHNESS OF &RENCH CULTURE 4HERE ARE ONLY A FEW COUNTRIES THAT ARE ALL ROUNDED AND SELF SUFlCIENT IN CULTURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMIC CAPABILITIES &RANCE IS ONE OF THE FEW ) LEARNT THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT BEING FOCUSED ON %NGLISH SPEAKING CULTURES AND COUNTRIES AND THAT THERE ARE WHOLE NEW WORLDS AND CIVILISATIONS BASED ON DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND CULTURES 3O FOR YOUNG &3/S THE POINT IS TO LEARN NEW LANGUAGES AND BE WILLING TO ACCEPT POSTINGS TO HARD BUT CHALLENGING COUNTRIES LIKE )NDIA AND #HINA 0ARIS ITSELF OFFERED MANY NEW LESSONS SUCH AS HOW AND WHY IT BECAME THE #ITY OF ,IGHT AND "EAUTY "ECAUSE EACH &RENCH 0RESIDENT WANTED TO BE REMEMBERED FOR THE 'RAND 0ROJECTS BUILT DURING HIS TENURE THE CITY IS ENRICHED
5NITED .ATIONS -Y NEXT POSTING WAS TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS 5. IN .EW 9ORK FROM TO WHERE ) SPENT lVE YEARS IN THE UNOFlCIAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD (ERE ) WITNESSED lRST HAND THE DIPLOMATIC BATTLES FOR 5.INTERNATIONAL BACKING FOR THE lRST 'ULF 7AR OR THE ,IBERATION OF +UWAIT (ERE THE LESSON WAS HOW EASY IT IS FOR A POWERFUL NEIGHBOUR TO INVADE AND OCCUPY A SMALL AND VULNERABLE COUNTRY LIKE +UWAIT OR FOR THAT MATTER 3INGAPORE !LL ITS PETRO DOLLARS COULD NOT SAVE
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+UWAIT ONLY 5NCLE 3AM COULD 3O THE LESSON WAS IT PAYS TO HAVE THE 53 ON YOUR SIDE AND IT HELPS TO HAVE MANY POWERFUL FRIENDS !T THE 5. ) ALSO LEARNT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING FRIENDS AND CONTACTS IN EVERY MISSION NO MATTER HOW SMALL 4HESE WERE THE YEARS OF THE DIPLOMATIC "ATTLE FOR #AMBODIA AND WE LEARNT THE LESSONS OF LOBBYING AND WRITING SPEECHES AND HOW TO MOBILISE VOTES 7E SOMETIMES HAD TO GO TO THE EXTENT OF lNDING OTHER DELEGATES IN RESTROOMS WHERE THEY WOULD GO TO BE CONVENIENTLY ABSENT DURING CRUCIAL VOTES
2USSIA -Y lNAL POSTING WAS -OSCOW WHERE ) SPENT SIX YEARS FROM TO WITH A RING SIDE VIEW AGAIN OF NATIONAL DISINTEGRATION CAUSED BY THE HOST COUNTRY MAKING THE WRONG SYSTEMIC CHOICE IN THIS CASE OF SOCIALISM ) MARVELLED AT HOW 2USSIA THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SO WELL ENDOWED IN BOTH NATURAL AND INTELLECTUAL RESOURCES COULD BECOME SO POOR THAT THE COMMANDER OF A NUCLEAR SUBMARINE WOULD BE PAID ABOUT 53 PER MONTH AND HAVE UNDER HIS CONTROL THE POWER TO BLOW UP THE WORLD ) UNDERSTOOD THE VALUE OF HAVING WELL PAID LEADERS AND OFlCIALS AS ) WITNESSED THE INDIGNITIES SUFFERED BY THE ORDINARY PEOPLE TRYING TO SELL A COMB OR CIGARETTES TO EARN A MEAGER LIVING #OUNTRIES WHICH MAKE THE WRONG SYSTEMIC CHOICES SUFFER EXTREMELY THEY lND IT VERY DIFlCULT TO JETTISON OBSOLETE IDEOLOGIES AND NON FUNCTIONING POLICIES PAID FOR IN BLOOD WAR AND REVOLUTION AND THE PRESTIGE OF GREAT LEADERS )N 3INGAPORE WE ARE LUCKY THAT OUR lRST GENERATION OF LEADERS MADE THE CORRECT SYSTEMIC CHOICES FOUGHT CORRUPTION EMBARKED ON THE FRUITFUL ECONOMIC POLICIES AND BUILT EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS 4O THOSE WHO WOULD DISPUTE THIS ASSERTION MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO GO AND LIVE AND WORK IN DYSFUNCTIONAL COUNTRIES FOR A FEW YEARS AND PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE CONDITIONS IN THE MIRROR IMAGE OF 3INGAPORE
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#ONCLUSION 4HERE ARE MANY LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM EVERY POSTING 4HE LESSONS ARE BOTH NEGATIVE AS WELL AS POSITIVE -ANY COUNTRIES HAVE GOOD LESSONS TO TEACH US !S LONG AS WE ARE WILLING TO LEARN "EST 0RACTICES FROM OTHERS WE SHALL CONTINUE TO PROGRESS 9OUNG &3/S SHOULD KEEP THEIR MINDS AND HEARTS OPEN AND BE WILLING TO SHARE AS WELL AS TO LEARN (UMILITY GRACE UNDER PRESSURE GREATNESS OF SOUL AND BREADTH OF INTELLECT ARE VIRTUES ALL OF US SHOULD CULTIVATE
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,EARNING ,ESSONS -R 4 *!35$!3%. IS CURRENTLY 3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO THE 5NION OF -YANMAR 7HEN HE lRST JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS SINCE TILL HE SERVED TOURS OF DUTY IN 3INGAPORE .EW 9ORK -ANILA AND +UALA ,UMPUR (E WAS THE lRST 3INGAPORE SCHOLAR TO STUDY AT THE %COLE .ATIONALE D!DMINISTRATION 0ARIS IN (IS lRST AMBASSADORSHIP WAS TO &RANCE FOR SEVEN YEARS FROM TO (E WAS ALSO CONCURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO 0ORTUGAL 3PAIN AND )SRAEL (E WAS AWARDED THE 0UBLIC !DMINISTRATION -EDAL 3ILVER IN AND THE ,ONG 3ERVICE -EDAL IN 4HE &RENCH 'OVERNMENT DECORATED HIM TWICE lRST AS #OMMANDER OF THE h0ALMES !CADÒMIQUESv AND LATER AS AN /FlCER OF THE h,EGION D(ONEURv IN
RESH OUT OF THE 5NIVERSITY ) WAS WAYLAID ON THE WAY TO A LUCRATIVE CAREER IN ,AW AND THIS WAS THE OLD DAYS WHEN THE GOOD AND NOT SO GOOD LAWYERS MADE TOP MONEY ) HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OR MISFORTUNE OF HAVING TWO OF 3INGAPORES GREATEST DIPLOMATS AS MY 0ROFESSORS AT ,AW 3CHOOL NAMELY $0- 0ROF 3 *AYAKUMAR AND 0ROF 4OMMY +OH 4HIS TAG TEAM TOOK TURNS AS 3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVES TO THE 5. IN BETWEEN DEANSHIPS OF THE ,AW &ACULTY "OTH RECOGNISED MY KEEN INTEREST IN )NTERNATIONAL ,AW AND URGED A CAREER IN THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! /VER THE YEARS ) CONlRMED THAT -&! WAS UNLIKELY TO CREATE AN )NTERNATIONAL ,AW4REATY SECTION BUT BY THEN IT WAS TOO LATE (APPILY YOUNG RECRUITS HAD LITTLE TIME TO REmECT AND MAKE A QUICK EXIT -Y WORKLOAD KEPT ME BURIED IN MOUNTAINS OF lLES BRIEFS AND .OTES OF #ONVERSATIONS ./#S ! SUITABLE INTERVAL PASSED AND ) WAS IN .EW 9ORK 4HERE ) WAS HOOKED WHEN ) FOUND THAT ) WAS ACTUALLY BEING PAID ALBEIT NOT WELL TO INTERACT WITH THE WORLDS lNEST DIPLOMATS POLITICAL LEADERS AND INTELLECTUALS $IPLOMACY REMAINS ONE
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OF THE FEW PROFESSIONS WHERE YOU INTERACT WITH THE lNEST !S YOUR MIND IS CONSTANTLY CHALLENGED THERE IS NEVER A DULL DAY
-Y &IRST ,ESSONS -UCH OF WHAT ) LEARNED OF BASIC TRADE CRAFT WAS IN .EW 9ORK FROM !MBASSADOR 4OMMY +OH (E WAS REPORTED TO KNOW THE NAME OF EVERY SECURITY GUARD IN THE 5. 4HUS MY lRST LESSON WAS TO COLLECT NAME CARDS AND MEMORISE THEM ) REVISED THEM EVERY NIGHT BECAUSE NO AMOUNT OF SOPHISTICATED mATTERY CAN TOUCH SOMEONE LIKE GETTING HIS OR HER NAME RIGHT EVERY TIME
4REATING 5NEQUALS %QUALLY -Y SECOND LESSON WAS TO TREAT -INISTERS LIKE -INISTERS AND CHAUFFEURS AND SECURITY GUARDS AND ALL OTHERS IN BETWEEN LIKE -INISTERS TOO /FTEN THE INVESTMENT WAS MINIMAL ! WAVE AND A GREETING WAS ALL THAT WAS REQUIRED "UT CHAUFFEURS WERE ALWAYS THE lRST TO KNOW WHO WAS MEETING WHOM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE 5. HALLS 4HEY OVERHEARD CONVERSATIONS IN THEIR CARS 7HILE ) WOULD HAVE NEVER WANTED THEM TO BETRAY THEIR BOSSES TIP OFFS TRIGGERED MANY A GOOD REPORT TO (1 3ECURITY GUARDS AND JUNIOR OFlCIALS ALWAYS FOUND SEATS FOR YOUR -INISTER WHEN OTHERS WERE BEING TURNED AWAY 7AITERS FOUND A GOOD TABLE WHEN THE RESTAURANT WAS FULL 7HEN ALL THE USUAL CHANNELS FAILED SEEMINGLY INCONSEQUENTIAL OFlCIALS OFTEN SAVED ME FROM A TIGHT SPOT AND EARNED BROWNIE POINTS WITH MY DEMANDING BOSSES 5. ORGANISATIONS ARE THE ONLY POSTS WHERE UNEQUAL COUNTRIES ARE TREATED ALMOST EQUALLY 7HAT WAS A CRITICAL ISSUE TO ONE COUNTRY WAS INCONSEQUENTIAL TO ANOTHER ) DISCOVERED THAT WITHIN A BROAD SET OF PRINCIPLES LAID OUT BY -&! THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE AND HORSE TRADING 5NEXPECTED PROCEDURAL VOTES AND EVEN VOTES THAT WERE KEY OBJECTIVE FOR ONE COUNTRY AND WHERE -&!
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DID NOT CARE AND MOSTLY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT HELPED ACCUMULATE CREDITS TO BE TRADED LATER FOR SOMETHING WE WANTED
3MALL +INDNESSES ) WAS ALSO TAUGHT THAT SMALL KINDNESSES WERE ALWAYS REPAID HANDSOMELY PERHAPS MONTHS YEARS OR EVEN DECADES LATER /NE IGNORED AND PENNILESS MEMBER OF A FORGOTTEN LIBERATION MOVEMENT WITH WHOM ) SHARED MY SANDWICHES WENT ON TO BECOME A HOUSEHOLD NAME AND LATER ASSUMED IMPORTANT POSTS WHEN HIS COUNTRY BECAME INDEPENDENT (E DID NOT FORGET AND IT WAS A PLUS FOR 3INGAPORE !T ONE OF MY POSTINGS A FRIEND OF A FRIEND AND HIS YOUNG BRIDE ON A HONEYMOON KNOCKED ON MY DOOR AS NO HOTELS ROOMS WERE AVAILABLE ) WAS OUT OF TOWN BUT MY WIFE TOOK THEM IN ) NEVER MET THEM 4WENTY YEARS LATER WHEN PLANNING A 3TATE 6ISIT BY OUR 0RESIDENT A PRIVATE ROADWAY HAD TO BE QUICKLY REPAIRED OR THAT COMPONENT OF THE VISIT HAD TO BE CANCELLED (OST COUNTRY OFlCIALS GOT NOWHERE PERSUADING THE 6)0 OWNER 5RGENTLY ) JUMPED ON THE PLANE TO SEE WHAT ) COULD DO 4HE 6)0 OWNER RECOGNISED ME FROM A PHOTOGRAPH IN MY mAT AND THANKED ME FOR HOSTING HIM AND HIS YOUNG BRIDE TWO DECADES EARLIER .EEDLESS TO SAY THE 0RESIDENTS VISIT WENT OFF EXTREMELY WELL 0LUS A BONUS ) HAD A VERY VALUABLE hINSIDERv CONTACT FOR THE REST OF MY POSTING
,EARNING THE ,ANGUAGE -AKING THE EFFORT TO LEARN THE PRINCIPAL LOCAL LANGUAGE OF A HOST COUNTRY GENERATES MILEAGE -ASTERY OF THE LANGUAGE IS NOT AT ALL A REQUIREMENT -AKING THE EFFORT HAS HOST COUNTRY OFlCIALS REGARDING YOU DIFFERENTLY SHARING CONlDENCES AND EXTENDING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OVER OTHER DIPLOMATS WHO DID NOT 4HUS THE RATIO OF EFFORT TO REWARD IS DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH -AKING THE EFFORT BROUGHT YOU
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CLOSER TO THE INNER CIRCLES OF POWER AND INmUENCE AS YOU WERE SEEN TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT THE COUNTRY 4HOUGH ) AM TONE DEAF AND CONSEQUENTLY POOR WITH LANGUAGES AND SINGING ) STRUGGLED TO ACQUIRE 4AGALOG TILL MY LAST DAYS AT THE POST %NOUGH BASICS AND A LARGE PASSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE LANGUAGE TOOK ME MUCH FURTHER THAN MY OTHER DIPLOMATIC COLLEAGUES %QUALLY IN +UALA ,UMPUR ) WORKED ON MY PASAR -ALAY EVENTUALLY READING THE PRESS WATCHING 46 AND LISTENING TO PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES )N -YANMAR ) AM LEARNING THE "URMESE SCRIPT AND LANGUAGE )T IS A STRUGGLE AT AGE "UT IF -- ,EE +UAN 9EW AT CONTINUES WITH -ANDARIN LESSONS ) HAVE NO VALID EXCUSE NOT TO DO SO &ROM THE LACK OF USE AND REVISION MY 4AGALOG IS NEAR NON EXISTENT -Y "AHASA -ELAYU IS ONLY HALF AS GOOD AND MY &RENCH SHARPLY DETERIORATING BUT ALL THREE LANGUAGES SERVED ME WELL AT THE POST ) PERFORMED BETTER AT EACH POST BECAUSE OF IT
,OCAL 4RAVEL 0AYS (ANDSOMELY 4HOUGH ) SPENT SEVEN YEARS IN 0ARIS ) DID NOT VISIT "ERLIN 'ENEVA OR 2OME AND MOST OTHER NEARBY DESTINATIONS ) FOCUSED ALL MY PERSONAL TRAVEL IN MY COUNTRY OF POSTING OR ACCREDITATION &URTHER AT ALL POSTS ) READILY ACCEPTED OFlCIAL TRAVEL WITH LOCAL OFlCIALS ON MISSIONS ON GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT OFTEN RICKETY AND WELL PAST THE USE BY DATE 4HERE WERE SOME HAIR RAISING MOMENTS BUT TRAVEL GIVES INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF A COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE )T MAKES YOU A SHARPER ANALYST )T ALLOWS YOU TO BREAK INTO CIRCLES YOU NEVER WILL OTHERWISE &OR EXAMPLE A -INISTER WHETHER %UROPEAN OR !SIAN WHOSE REMOTE HOME REGION OR TOWN YOU HAVE VISITED REGARDS YOU QUITE DIFFERENTLY AND POSITIVELY FROM SOMEONE WHO DID NOT
)NFORMAL OR COLLOQUIAL
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4WO %ARS AND /NE -OUTH FOR A 2EASON 3OMETIMES ATTRIBUTED TO #ONFUCIUS BUT ) HAVE NEVER VERIlED IT THERE IS A SAYING THAT DIPLOMATS MUST LISTEN TWICE AS MUCH AS TALKING BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF UNDERSTANDING AND COLLECTING INFORMATION AND NOT GIVING IT AWAY 3ILENCES IN A CONVERSATION ESPECIALLY IN A ONE ON ONE SITUATION PUT GREAT PRESSURE ON BOTH PARTIES TO BREAK THE EMBARRASSING SILENCE ) HAVE LEARNT OVER TIME TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE THE OTHER )T LED TO MANY INTERESTING CONVERSATIONS
#ONCLUSION 4HOUGH ) WAS WAYLAID INTO -&! THE WORK STILL GETS ME UP EVERY MORNING )F YOU DO NOT ENJOY IT IT WILL BE TOO DEMANDING A JOB FOR THE PAY 4HE DAY IT NO LONGER THRILLS ) WILL QUIT
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Four Days in May Mr. Edward LEE has been Singapore’s Ambassador to Indonesia since 1994. Prior to Jakarta, he was High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, 1984 to1990 and Ambassador to the Philippines, 1990 to 1993. His earlier diplomatic postings were in Canberra, 1971 to 1974 and in Jakarta, 1974 to 1977 and 1980 to1982. He was conferred the Public Administration Medal (Gold) by the Singapore Government in 1998 and the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu (Grand Cross) by the Philippines Government in 1993. He joined the Foreign Service in 1970.
The Beginning of the End
A
s the sun beat down on Jakarta, bellows of smoke threatened to darken the cloudless horizon. Riots, arson and looting had broken out in this vast metropolis of twelve million. It was 13 May 1998. A day earlier, security forces had shot dead four students of the Trisakti University. Many others were seriously injured in the melee on the campus grounds. The students were pursued by security forces after they had gone to the nearby Parliament building to call for the resignation of President Suharto. He was away in Cairo for a meeting of the Group of 15. It was the beginning of regime change in Indonesia. President Suharto had ruled the country with a strong hand for 32 years. He restored order and stability after the tumultuous events of 1965. For the next three decades, the President was instrumental in promoting regional peace and cooperation. He changed Indonesia’s policy towards her neighbours and propelled Asean into a credible and successful regional organisation. Indonesia witnessed strong economic growth and development. Living standards improved and Indonesia earned the praise of international organisations like the World Bank. 319
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Asian Financial Crisis The Asian financial crisis contributed to Suharto’s fall. Beginning in Thailand in July 1997, the contagion spread quickly to other parts of Asia. Indonesia was not immune and by October, its financial and banking system became shaky under the strain. In a crisis of confidence, the rupiah continued to melt down and efforts to shore it up failed. Reluctantly, Suharto invited the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the rescue. The IMF prescription required the Suharto government to abandon policies which had benefited his family and friends. Having been in power for so long, he was convinced of his own invincibility and paid scant attention to the sound advice of his trusted ministers and aides. The Clinton administration’s policy of forcing “discontinuity” and democratic reforms in Indonesia removed the safety net from Suharto. He was left in the lurch. The crisis had been brewing for months. At the Embassy, we were following the events intensely. Suharto’s supporters were confident that he would prevail as he did in the past when he confronted strong opposition. His opponents, the students, the Non-government Organisations (NGOs) and later the middle-class believed he was finally cornered and they intensified the pressure to topple him.
Descent into Chaos Initially, the riots were concentrated in Glodok, Jakarta’s Chinatown and Pluit, where there was a large Chinese population but they quickly spread to other areas. In their rampage, the mobs left in their path of destruction scores of burning shop-houses, office buildings, shopping malls, gas stations, private homes and motor vehicles. Over one thousand people were killed in the next three days. Women were raped, many of them still unaccounted for today. As the capital descended into violence and turmoil, the Embassy in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Singapore activated our contingency plans. MFA set up a 24-hour
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operations centre to give advice to Singaporeans who had family members in Indonesia. The conference room in the Embassy was converted into an operations room equipped with maps, computers, fax machines and a battery of telephones. Reinforcements were brought in from Singapore. The wives of Embassy officials, who were given the option of going home, gallantly volunteered to stay behind to help us work round the clock. We activated our warden system which grouped Singaporeans in Jakarta into smaller and more manageable geographical clusters.
Evacuating Singaporeans Our immediate objective was to get our citizens home safely to Singapore. We considered several options and decided on our “Assisted Departure” plans using Singapore Airlines (SIA). The Sukarno-Hatta Airport in the northern part of the city remained open but getting there was hazardous. Taking the toll road to the airport was fraught with danger. With the police nowhere in sight, law and order had broken down. The toll booths were deserted. Groups of hoodlums were attacking the fleeing families. Jakarta’s TV reported brutal robberies and killings on the highway. The two main routes leading to the airport toll road were equally risky. One of them ran alongside the Parliament, the scene of violent demonstrations and the Trisakti University. The other went through Jalan Gunung Sahari and Mangga Dua, a mainly Chinese-populated district. As Suharto prepared to return from Cairo, the political elite including factions from the Armed Forces began to jostle for power. Rumours were rife that they had planned and instigated the riots to destabilize the situation in an attempt to grab power. While they engaged each other in a tangled web of conspiracies, the dysfunctional government security machinery collapsed. The only politically neutral forces as far as we could make out in the fog of conflict were the Marines. We turned to them for help.
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Help from the Marines We chose the Hilton Hotel as the assembly point for our citizens. It was strategically located at the Semanggi intersection of the toll road to the international airport. The ballroom could accommodate a large number of people, and our hired buses could stand by in the spacious car park. Anxious Singaporeans, who had earlier been told to stay indoors, were now advised to go to the Hilton. Taking into account the escalating violence, we staggered their movements to ensure maximum safety. The dependable Marines escorted our buses to the airport. Accompanied by a heavily armed Marine officer, I went to the airport to supervise the operations. The international departure hall was a scene of total pandemonium as the airline counters came under siege with the sudden exodus of terrified people. We negotiated with the civil aviation authorities for an assembly area in the domestic arrival hall. Singaporeans arrived at the airport, relieved that they were almost at the end of their ordeal. Distressed parents with children in arms knew that they were in safe hands. Their national carrier will take them home. My wife joined me in comforting them. I went on Singapore Television to inform Singaporeans back home about our evacuation plans and to reassure them that we were on top of the situation. With the help of additional staff from MFA and SIA, the Embassy issued tickets and cleared our citizens through immigration. In the rush, many did not have cash or their passports with them. We lent them money and emergency travel documents. Singapore permanent residents and people of various other nationalities, who had in desperation gone to our Embassy for help, came in our Marinesescorted buses. A prevailing sense of international solidarity gave them solace and fortitude. We got all of them on our flights. Today, when they meet us in Jakarta they would often recall memories of those days of vivere pericoloso and thank us profusely for rescuing them from the terror.
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Passing the Test In three days, we flew home 4,500 people. It was the biggest airlift in Singapore’s history. The successful evacuation demonstrated the efficiency and organisational ability of the Singapore government. Our ministries worked in close coordination with Singapore Airlines. The Embassy’s well-oiled warden system provided speedy communications with our citizens. The 1998 crisis was a formidable test for the Foreign Service. My colleagues, some of the best and the brightest in the Service, rose to the challenge. Quintessential professionals, they were able to distinguish the reality from the shadows of Indonesian politics. Many of them, on their first overseas assignment, had never gone through such a combustible and dicey situation. Their valour and resilience in overcoming the adversities of a tipping point in Indonesia’s political transformation were exemplary. These dedicated Foreign Service Officers have the right stuff. With the cooperation of their friends in Indonesia and the support of their wives, they worked tirelessly as a cohesive team in a baptism of fire. Even when they were stretched to the limits of their endurance, they drew strength and stamina from their deep concern for their fellow Singaporeans.
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-&! IN THE S -R ,). #HUNG 9ING JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! IN (E SERVED SIXTEEN YEARS IN -&! WHERE HE SPECIALISED IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA AND !3%!. MATTERS )N HE WAS SECONDED TO THE )NTERNAL 3ECURITY $EPARTMENT )3$ AS THE (EAD OF 2ESEARCH UNTIL -ARCH &ROM !PRIL TO /CTOBER HE WORKED IN THE &IELD $IVISION OF THE 0EOPLES !SSOCIATION 0! )N .OVEMBER HE RE JOINED THE )3$ (E CURRENTLY HOLDS THE POSITION OF $IRECTOR 3ECURITY %DUCATION IN THE $EPARTMENT (E HAS AN INTEREST IN TEACHING FROM TO HE WAS !DJUNCT 3ENIOR ,ECTURER AT THE (ISTORY $EPARTMENT .ATIONAL )NSTITUTE OF %DUCATION .ANYANG 4ECHNOLOGICAL 5NIVERSITY ! STRONG ANTI DRUG ADVOCATE HE HAS BEEN A VOLUNTEER IN THE 3INGAPORE !NTI .ARCOTICS !SSOCIATION 3!.! SINCE AND CURRENTLY HOLDS THE POSITION OF 6ICE 0RESIDENT IN 3!.!S "OARD OF -ANAGEMENT
S A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD MY AMBITION WAS TO WORK FOR THE 'OVERNMENT AS A DIPLOMAT )N ) WAS IN THE lRST YEAR OF MY PRE UNIVERSITY STUDIES 4HE -AC$ONALD (OUSE BOMBING BY )NDONESIAN SABOTEURS IN -ARCH THAT YEAR AND THE )NDONESIAN GOVERNMENTS CAMPAIGN OF KONFRONTASI AGAINST -ALAYSIA OF WHICH 3INGAPORE WAS A PART OF THEN HEIGHTENED MY INTEREST IN A CAREER IN THE $IPLOMATIC 3ERVICE ON COMPLETION OF MY STUDIES
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*OINING THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE ) JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! IN !PRIL 4RAINING THEN WAS CONDUCTED BY ' ' 4HOMSON MUCH BETTER KNOWN FOR HIS WORK BEFORE HE JOINED -&! AS THE $IRECTOR OF THE 0OLITICAL 3TUDY #ENTRE /NE SUCH -&! TRAINING SESSION WAS AT THE 3INGAPORE 3WIMMING #LUB WHERE THE YOUNG TRAINEE DIPLOMATS HAD LUNCH WITH -R 4HOMSON SO THAT HE COULD AMONG OTHER THINGS ASSESS HOW
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WE HANDLED OURSELVES SOCIALLY "UT THIS VERY BASIC TRAINING DID NOT PREPARE ME ADEQUATELY FOR THE TASKS AHEAD ) HAD TO IMPROVISE AND MUCH OF THE TIME USE COMMON SENSE TO MAKE JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS WHENEVER A NEW SITUATION AROSE
3 2 .ATHANS #ONTRIBUTION TO -&! 0RESIDENT .ATHAN HAS HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON MY SIXTEEN YEAR CAREER AS A &OREIGN 3ERVICE OFlCER (E WAS $EPUTY 3ECRETARY 0OLITICAL WHEN ) JOINED -&! !MONG OTHER THINGS HE TAUGHT ME THE IMPORTANCE OF DETERMINATION AND RESOLUTENESS 7HEN -R .ATHAN RETURNED IN AS THE &IRST 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY &OREIGN !FFAIRS ) WORKED AS HIS STAFF OFlCER FOR TWO YEARS )T WAS ALSO DURING -R .ATHANS TERM AS 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY THAT THERE WAS A SEA CHANGE IN -&! 4HE QUALITY OF -&!S WORK IMPROVED BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS -ANY OF THE THINGS THAT -&! OFlCERS TAKE FOR GRANTED TODAY STARTED WHEN -R .ATHAN BECAME THE 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY &OR EXAMPLE HE ESTABLISHED THE $UTY 2OOM THE PRACTICE OF hMORNING PRAYERSv THE FORMAT OF BRIEFS AND THE lRST HEADS OF MISSION MEETING OR RETREAT AMONG OTHER THINGS
+UALA ,UMPUR -Y POSTING TO +UALA ,UMPUR BETWEEN AND AS #OUNSELLOR WAS A MOST EVENTFUL ONE ) RECALL HAVING LUNCH IN !MPANG AND RECEIVING A CALL FROM MY PERSONAL ASISTANT TO REQUEST ME TO RETURN URGENTLY AS THERE WAS A DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE THE (IGH #OMMISSION BUILDING ) RUSHED BACK THROUGH THE STAFF QUARTERS TO TAKE CHARGE 4HE DEMONSTRATION WAS STAGED BECAUSE IN 3INGAPORE WE HAD ARRESTED 4AN +OON 3WAN ONE OF THE LEADING -ALAYSIAN #HINESE !SSOCIATIONS -#! LEADERS FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE 0AN %LECTRIC lNANCIAL SCANDAL "ESIDES THE DEMONSTRATION THE -ALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH 7ISMA 0UTRA MADE A DEMARCHE 4HEY WANTED TO SUMMON THE
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(IGH #OMMISSIONER "UT AS THE .UMBER 4WO ) RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS THAT ) SHOULD REPRESENT THE (IGH #OMMISSIONER AND PROCEED TO 7ISMA 0UTRA TO MEET THE $EPUTY &OREIGN -INISTER !BDUL +ADIR 3HEIKH &ADZIL WHO PRESENTED ME WITH A VERY STRONG NOTE )T WAS A SOMEWHAT INTIMIDATING EXPERIENCE 4HE -ALAYSIANS HAD PACKED MORE THAN TWENTY PERSONS INTO THE SMALL MEETING ROOM AND ) HAD TO WALK THROUGH LITERALLY A ROOMFUL OF HOSTILE LOOKING PEOPLE TO FACE A VERY STERN LOOKING !BDUL +ADIR 3HEIKH &ADZIL !FTER ) HAD SAT DOWN HE READ THE NOTE ) REPLIED THAT ) WOULD CONVEY THE NOTE AND ITS CONTENTS TO MY 'OVERNMENT )T WAS THE SHORTEST MEETING ) EVER HAD IN 7ISMA 0UTRA BUT IN MY MIND IT WAS THE LONGEST AND MOST EXCRUCIATING BECAUSE AS A CIVIL SERVANT YOU DO NOT EXPECT AND YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE IN SUCH A LIMELIGHT 4HERE WERE JOURNALISTS AND CAMERAMEN TAKING PICTURES DURING THAT SHORT ENCOUNTER 4HEY WERE PROBABLY HOPING TO GET PICTURES OF A 3INGAPORE DIPLOMAT BUCKLING UNDER PRESSURE FROM THEIR $EPUTY -INISTER 4HEY DID NOT GET THE PICTURE THEY WANTED WHAT THEY GOT WAS A PICTURE OF A CALM AND COMPOSED 3INGAPORE DIPLOMAT BEING HECTORED BY A -ALAYSIAN $EPUTY -INISTER /N A PERSONAL NOTE THIS PICTURE LED TO A PHONE CALL FROM A -ALAYSIAN TO THE (IGH #OMMISSION ASKING FOR ME (E HAD SEEN THE PICTURE OF THE -ALAYSIAN $EPUTY -INISTER AND ME IN THE .EW 3TRAITS 4IMES (E ASKED h!RE YOU !H #HUNG v WHEN ) RECEIVED THE CALL (E WAS MY NEIGHBOUR WHO HAD LEFT FOR +UALA ,UMPUR IN TO TAKE UP A &EDERAL SCHOLARSHIP AFTER 3INGAPORE SEPARATED FROM -ALAYSIA ) HAD WONDERED FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE THAT CALL WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND
$IPLOMACY IS (ARD 7ORK $IPLOMACY IS OFTEN PERCEIVED AS SOMETHING GLAMOUROUS ) THINK IF ONE WERE TO JOIN THE &OREIGN -INISTRY WITH THIS PERCEPTION OR EXPECTATION HE WOULD BE DISILLUSIONED AND DISAPPOINTED VERY QUICKLY
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4HERE IS A LOT OF HARD WORK AND LITTLE OR NO GLAMOUR 7ORKING IN THE &OREIGN -INISTRY INVOLVES GETTING ONESELF IMMERSED IN A PARTICULAR ISSUE BE IT BILATERAL REGIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL AND TO WORK THROUGH THAT ISSUE IN A THOROUGH AND PAINSTAKING MANNER !ND MOST OF THE WORK IS DONE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND AWAY FROM THE GLARE OF PUBLICITY )F THE INSTRUCTION TO YOU IS TO GO INTO THE MEETING ROOM TO STALL THE DISCUSSIONS OR NEGOTIATIONS WITH ANOTHER COUNTRY OR COUNTRIES UNTIL A MORE SENIOR DIPLOMAT COMES TO TAKE OVER YOU HAVE TO DO JUST THAT AND RESIST THE NATURAL TEMPTATION OF DOING THINGS ONES OWN WAY 4HERE IS NO ROOM FOR PRIMA DONNAS OR NON TEAM PLAYERS IN THE &OREIGN -INISTRY )F WE DO NOT WORK AS A TEAM WITH OUR OTHER -&! COLLEAGUES INCLUDING COLLEAGUES FROM OTHER -INISTRIES PARTICULARLY IN REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN OUR NEGOTIATIONS
1UALITIES OF A 'OOD /FlCER (ENCE THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH OTHERS HUMILITY PATIENCE DETERMINATION AND FORBEARANCE ARE AMONG SOME OF THE QUALITIES WHICH A GOOD &OREIGN 3ERVICE /FlCER SHOULD HAVE ! GOOD DIPLOMAT IS ONE WHO IS NOT ONLY INTELLIGENT BUT WHO ALSO HAS BALANCE AND THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE ON ISSUES "UT THERE IS ONE QUALITY THAT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED OR IGNORED IN OUR RUSH TO GET TALENT AND THAT IS INTEGRITY 7ITHOUT INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY TO THE COUNTRY ONE CANNOT BE A GOOD DIPLOMAT OR FOR THAT MATTER A GOOD CIVIL SERVANT
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4HE /THER ,EGENDS -R /.' +ENG 9ONG HAS BEEN THE 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL OF !3%!. BASED IN *AKARTA )NDONESIA SINCE *ANUARY (E JOINED THE 3INGAPORE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS ON *UNE 3INCE THEN HE SERVED AS THE #HARGE D!FFAIRES OF THE 3INGAPORE %MBASSY IN 3AUDI !RABIA THE #OUNSELLOR AND $EPUTY #HIEF OF -ISSION IN THE 3INGAPORE (IGH #OMMISSION IN -ALAYSIA THE -INISTER #OUNSELLOR AND $EPUTY #HIEF OF -ISSION IN THE 3INGAPORE %MBASSY IN THE 53 AND 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO )NDIA AND CONCURRENTLY !MBASSADOR TO .EPAL &ROM 3EPTEMBER TO $ECEMBER HE WAS 0RESS 3ECRETARY TO THEN 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND CONCURRENTLY $EPUTY 3ECRETARY IN THE -INISTRY OF )NFORMATION #OMMUNICATIONS AND THE !RTS "ETWEEN AND HE WAS ALSO THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR OF THE 0EOPLES !SSOCIATION IN 3INGAPORE (E SERVED AS A NON EXECUTIVE MEMBER OF THE BOARDS OF 3ING0OST 4HE %SPLANADE .ATIONAL (ERITAGE "OARD (OUSING $EVELOPMENT "OARD AND 3INGAPORE -ANAGEMENT 5NIVERSITY
JOINED THE 3INGAPORE &OREIGN 3ERVICE IN *UNE /VER THE YEARS ) HAVE SERVED IN DIPLOMATIC POSTINGS IN 3AUDI !RABIA -ALAYSIA THE 53 AND )NDIA 3OME SAID ) HAD EXPERIENCED DESERT SOLITUDE NEIGHBOURLY LOVE SUPERPOWER HOSPITALITY AND CIVILISATIONAL EMBRACE )NDEED IT WAS MORE THAN YEARS OF EXHILARATING TRAVELS AND IMMERSION IN DISTINCT CULTURES AWAY FROM HOME ) ADMIRE MY COLLEAGUES ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH BIGGER FAMILIES AS THEY JOURNEY THROUGH SUCH A NOMADIC EXISTENCE PACKING AND UNPACKING SAYING ENDLESS hGOODBYESv AND hHELLOSv MAKING SURE THE CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED ON TIME FOR SCHOOL AND KEEPING THE SPOUSES AND KIDS TUNED TO THE 3INGAPORE BEAT
)
4HE 5NSUNG (EROES 4HE SIGHTS SOUND AND SCENT OF ALL THE PLACES ) HAVE VISITED HAVE BEEN IMPLANTED DEEPLY IN MY SENSES "UT THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE
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EXPERIENCES ARE MY INTERACTIONS WITH THE WORK HORSES OF THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS OR WHAT WE FONDLY CALL h-&!v 4HESE INDIVIDUALS ARE THE CLERICAL CONSULAR SECRETARIAL AND TECHNICAL STAFF OF 3INGAPORES DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS OVERSEAS 7ITHOUT THEIR UNSTINTING SUPPORT AND DEVOTION THE 3INGAPORE $IPLOMATIC 3ERVICE MIGHT NOT BE SO WELL OILED ORGANISED AND EFFECTIVE )N MANY WAYS THE SWEET SUCCESSES ENJOYED BY OUR DIPLOMACY MUST BE ATTRIBUTED TO THEIR QUIET SOLID TOIL BEHIND THE SCENE 4HESE COLLEAGUES WORK WITHOUT FUSS CONNECT THE VARIOUS FAR mUNG OUTPOSTS OF 3INGAPORE WITH (1 AND ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE CHAIN IS NOT BROKEN 4HEY ARE THE CONTINUITY FACTORS BETWEEN ONE AMBASSADOR AND ANOTHER 4HEIR EFFORTS HELP THE OTHER DIPLOMATIC STAFF IN THE MISSION SETTLE DOWN QUICKLY AND PLUG IN FOR BUSINESS EXPEDITIOUSLY /FTEN THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE ALSO EASED IN BY THEM TO THOSE OF US WITHOUT A KEEN TOUCH AT THE COMPUTERS ) ALWAYS WONDER HOW THEY BUILD UP THEIR ENDURANCE PRESERVE THEIR STRENGTH AND SANITY IN A NUMBER OF EXTREME CASES AND RE CHARGE THEIR ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM
-ALE !SSISTANTS 4HE -&! HAS A UNIQUE DISTINCTION AMONG GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IT HAS THE MOST NUMBER OF MALE 0ERSONAL !SSISTANTS AND 3ECRETARIES IN SHORT THE 0!S /BVIOUSLY THE MOTIVE BEHIND THEIR RECRUITMENT IS TO HAVE A BODY WHO CAN MULTI TASK IN A DIFlCULT FOREIGN ENVIRONMENT &OR EXAMPLE THE 0! HAS TO GO TO THE CHAOTIC AIR FREIGHT WAREHOUSE TO COLLECT THE DIPLOMATIC BAGS AT ODD HOURS (OSPITAL VISITS DISASTER RELIEF WORK AND BUTLER DUTIES ARE QUITE NORMAL IN THE SCHEDULE OF THE 0! 4HE USUALLY ENJOYABLE TASK OF TOURISTIC OUTINGS HAS BECOME A CHORE BECAUSE OF THE FREQUENT REQUESTS TO SHOW VISITORS AROUND IN A FOREIGN CAPITAL CITY 4HE MALE 0!S ARE COLOURFUL CHARACTERS THEY LIKE FANCIFUL FASHION AND HAIRSTYLE 3OME SPORT PONYTAILS -ANY OF THEM WEAR HIGH
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HEELED FOOTWEAR AND SUSTAIN THE MALE COSMETIC COUNTERS IN THE LOCAL DEPARTMENTAL STORES /UR MALE 0!S ARE GREAT SHOPPERS TOO 4HEY KNOW THE BEST BARGAINS IN TOWN -ORE IMPORTANTLY THE 0!S MALE OR FEMALE ARE EXPERTS IN 46 DINNERS FRIED RICE SERVINGS AND ECONOMICAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE SPREAD 4HE OCCASIONAL EXCELLENT CHEFS AMONG THEM HAVE SAVED MANY OFlCIAL MEALS AT OUR %MBASSIES AND AMBASSADORIAL RESIDENCES /FTEN TIMES THE SLIGHTEST EXCUSES ARE OFFERED TO GET THESE CULINARY EXPERTS TO DISPLAY THEIR TALENT FOR THE BENElT OF THOSE STARVING OF LAKSA CHAR KWAY TEOW HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE OR POPIAH 0ERIODICALLY THE PROBLEM IS ONE OF OVER EXPOSURE TO EACH OTHERS COMPANY 3O SOME CLEVER CLOAK AND DAGGER LIKE OPERATIONS HAVE TO BE CARRIED OUT TO EXCLUDE THE UNWELCOMED
-ULTI TALENTED -ISSION 3TAFF !S 3INGAPORE IS A SMALL COUNTRY WITH LIMITED HUMAN RESOURCES ITS DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS ARE NOT LUXURIOUSLY STAFFED /UR 0!S AND ADMINISTRATIONTECHNICAL PERSONNEL FREQUENTLY DOUBLE UP AS PROTOCOL OFlCERS 4HE THRILL IS BEING ABLE TO CHECK OUT PALACES AND BEDROOMS OF 6)0S 4HE BONUS IS TESTING lNE FOOD AND WINE TO BE SERVED 4HE HARD PART IS TO REHEARSE MOTORCADE ARRANGEMENTS AND FORMAL RECEPTION PROCEDURES 4HE NIGHTMARE IS A BROKEN MOTORCADE DURING A 6)0 VISIT /NCE HALF THE MOTORCADE SAW %IFFEL 4OWER A FEW TIMES AS WE COULD NOT lND THE EXIT TO AN AIRlELD FROM THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE 6)0 AND HIS IMMEDIATE AIDES WERE ALREADY HAVING AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE FANTASTIC LANDMARK AS THEIR PLANE TOOK OFF %VENTUALLY WE HAD TO BUCKLE UP LIKE PARATROOPERS ON A COMMANDO OPERATION IN A MILITARY USED PLANE TO CATCH UP WITH THE REST OF THE OFlCIAL DELEGATION /N ANOTHER OCCASION THE 0! TURNED PROTOCOL OFlCER BECAME THE OFlCIAL NOTE TAKER IN A MEETING OF RANKING PRINCIPALS BECAUSE THE DESIGNATED PERSONS CAR WAS NOT ALLOWED INTO THE PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUND
0OPULAR FOOD ITEMS IN 3INGAPORE
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-ISSIONS h'ATEKEEPERSv 4URNING TO THE CONSULAR PERSONNEL THEY HAVE THE MOST INTERESTING JOB DESCRIPTION INTER ALIA AS A GATEKEEPER TO RANKING DIPLOMATS %VERY VISA APPLICANT TOUTS HIMSELF OR HERSELF TO BE A BIG SHOT WHO SHOULD SEE THE AMBASSADOR OR DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION 4HE VISA OFlCE IN THE #ONSULATE OR %MBASSY IS USUALLY THE SITE OF LIES MORE LIES AND EVEN MORE LIES /UR CONSULAR OFlCER IS AN ON THE JOB TRAINED LIE DETECTOR AND PSYCHOLOGIST !T THE SAME TIME HE OR SHE IS A DAILY WITNESS TO THE INGENUITY OF THE HUMAN MIND %VERY CONCEIVABLE IDEA IS RENDERED TO GET A QUICK MULTIPLE RE ENTRY VISA OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENT TO AN APPLICATION FOR A 3INGAPORE PASSPORT OR 02 STATUS 4HE RESOURCEFULNESS OF THESE APPLICANTS IS AMAZING 4HE COLDNESS AND CLINICAL RESPONSE OF OUR CONSULAR STAFF IS SIMILARLY REMARKABLE 3OME OF THEM SHED TEARS FROM TIME TO TIME AS THEY IMPLEMENT HEARTLESS DECISIONS AND SOULLESS RULES
6ISITING $UTIES $EALING WITH DEMANDING DISTRESSED CITIZENS TO EGO STROKING JAIL WARDENS WHERE 3INGAPOREANS ARE SERVING TIME HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY APPRECIATED BY THOSE OUTSIDE SUCH ASSIGNMENTS 6ERY OFTEN THE CONSULAR STAFFERS HAVE USED THEIR PERSONAL FUNDS TO BUY GOODIES FOR THE INCARCERATED AND THEIR HELPLESS RELATIVES +HONG 'UAN BISCUITS -AGGIE INSTANT NOODLES AND 3UPERMIX IN KOPITEH ARE TAKEN FOR GRANTED BY MOST OF US AT HOME "UT THESE SIMPLE BASICS BRING SO MUCH JOY TO 3INGAPOREANS IN JAIL THAT ) AM REMINDED OFTEN TO CARRY SOME OF THESE ITEMS IN MY RETURN TRIPS BACK TO POST "EYOND THE GRUBS AND lNANCIAL ASSISTANCE OUT OF POCKET ONE FEMALE COLLEAGUE TOLD ME THAT HER REGULAR VISITS TO THE JAIL ARE EGO BOOSTING FOR HER PERSONALLY SHE WAS RECEIVED EVERY TIME BY THOSE IN JAIL WITH APPLAUSE AND CHEERS 3HE REQUESTED ME FOR ADDITIONAL OUTlT ALLOWANCE 6ERY OFTEN THE CONSULAR STAFF RETURNED TO OFlCE TRAUMATISED AFTER SEEING
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THE CONDITIONS OF THE DETENTION CENTRES OPEN COMPOUND WITH ZINC CORRUGATED SHEET ROOF IN DEGREES #ELSIUS AND HEAT OR OVERCROWDED CELL BLOCKS WHERE INMATES JUMPED ON EVERY VISITOR TO PLEAD FOR HELP
3PECIAL %SCORTS /CCASIONALLY IT IS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR DECEASED 3INGAPOREANS ABROAD 4RANSPORTING CASKETS AND REMAINS ACROSS INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES IS A HERCULEAN EXERCISE 3OME OF OUR STAFF WOULD TRADE ALMOST ANYTHING TO AVOID HANDLING SUCH MATTERS 4HE AIRLINE RULES CUSTOMS PROCEDURES RELIGIOUS DICTATES AND THE EMOTIONAL STRESS ARE UNIMAGINABLE TO THOSE OF US WINING AND DINING IN LOUNGE SUITS AND lVE STAR HOTELS 4HERE WAS A CASE WHERE AN AUTOPSY CARRIED OUT LEFT A CERTAIN BODY PART IN A FORENSIC LABORATORY OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL CITY AND IT TOOK MORE THAN A YEAR OF BUREAUCRATIC TOING AND FROING PLUS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN AIRFARES AND PER DIEM ALLOWANCES FOR OUR %MBASSY BEFORE THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES CERTIlED THE LOSS OF THAT BODY PART MUCH TO THE ANNOYANCE AND DISTRESS OF THE BEREAVED FAMILY IN 3INGAPORE
%XTRAORDINARY 0EOPLE !NOTHER GROUP OF EXCEPTIONAL COLLEAGUES IN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE ARE THE hCOMMS OFlCERSv 4HEY DO NOT SOCIALISE VERY MUCH AS THEIR JOB OF MAINTAINING GOOD COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE (1 AND THE %MBASSIES MEANS THAT THEY KNOW MUCH BUT CANNOT TALK OPENLY ON ANYTHING 4HEY HAVE A ASSIGNMENT AND SLEEP WITH THE HANDPHONES IN THEIR PYJAMAS !LMOST COMPLETELY IDENTICAL IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL WAY THEY ARE INTERESTING PERSONALITIES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT /NE WAS SO RESOURCEFUL THAT NO OBSTACLE THROWN UP BY THE DEMANDING SENIORS AND UNCOOPERATIVE HOST OFlCIALS COULD STOP HIM "UT ALL THE COMMS OFlCERS ARE EXPERTS IN THINGS WHICH THE (EADS OF -ISSION HAVE NO
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ASSIGNED BODY TO DELEGATE TO &OR EXAMPLE ONE CHAP BECAME THE LEADING AUTHORITY ON LOCAL DELICACIES TO BUY FOR VISITING 6)0S !NOTHER PERSON IS WELL KNOWN FOR SOURCING GOOD SEAFOOD ESPECIALLY lSH HEADS FOR THE -ISSIONS STAFF !ND EVERY GENERATION OF 3INGAPORE DIPLOMATS ATTENDING THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY DEEPLY APPRECIATES THE .EW 9ORK #HINATOWN EXPERTISE OF OUR COMMS OFlCERS PARTICULARLY ON WHERE TO BUY INEXPENSIVE WINTER WEAR 4HE STAMINA AND RESILIENCE OF OUR 0!S CONSULAR COMMS AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL REMINDED ME OF MY DAYS IN 3AUDI !RABIA ) USED TO WITNESS AND MARVEL AT THE INCREDIBLE WAY THE CAMELS STORE AWAY WATER AND CARRY ON FOR DAYS WITHOUT RElLLING 4HESE OFlCERS COULD GO ON AND ON 4HEY MOVE FROM ONE POST TO ANOTHER AND BECOME DESENSITISED FROM ALL THOSE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS AND HEART WRENCHING HAPPENINGS -ANY OF THEM HAVE INSTINCTIVE IMPULSES IN HANDLING CONSULAR PROBLEMS 7HEN THEY ARE TOLD TO GO AND IDENTIFY ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR DEAD COUNTRYMEN THEY ARE ON THEIR HANDPHONES LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE HOLY MAN TO DO APPROPRIATE RELIGIOUS RITES )T IS MOST UNFAIR TO BLAME THE CONSULAR COLLEAGUES FOR DELAYS WHENEVER THE RELEVANT RULES AND PROCEDURES HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED THROUGH
! 3ALUTE TO -Y #OMRADE IN !RMS 4HE hWAR STORIESv AND EXPLOITS OF OUR 0!S CONSULAR AND SUPPORT STAFF WILL BE THE ALTERNATIVE LEGENDS OF THE -&! AND 3INGAPORES DIPLOMATIC HISTORY !S TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT BROUGHT THE "LACKBERRYS CELLULAR PHONES LAPTOPS AND OTHER CONVENIENT COMMUNICATION GADGETS INTO THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE MORE AND MORE OF OUR DIPLOMATS ARE SELF RELIANT AND /-/S ONE MAN OPERATIONS 4HEY ARE NO LONGER CLOCKING IN THE USUAL WAY AT THE OFlCE AND THEY MIGHT NOT SEE OR NEED THE 0!S AND OTHER PERSONNEL FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME 4HE ELECTRONIC GREETING CARDS AND BAR CODING OF lLES HAVE FOR EXAMPLE FURTHER REDUCED THE CHORES OF THE 0!S AND CLERKS 9ET THEY AND OTHER BEHIND THE SCENE PERSONNEL WILL CONTINUE TO BE A MAINSTAY OF THE
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DIPLOMATIC BUSINESS AND ESSENTIAL INTERFACE WITH 3INGAPORES CITIZENS TRAVELLING AROUND THE GLOBE 0ERSONALLY ) HAVE GAINED A LOT FROM MY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE INDISPENSABLE MEMBERS OF THE -&! AND MY IMPRESSIONS OF THEM ARE INDELIBLY ETCHED IN MY MIND &OR THOSE WHO HAVE TOUCHED MY LIFE IN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE ) WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR WONDERFUL FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT "RAVO
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#HAMPIONING 3INGAPORE -R 2AYMOND 7/.' (ENG 4EM HAS BEEN WITH THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE SINCE (E STARTED HIS CAREER IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IN IN THE -INISTRY OF &INANCE (E JOINED THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! IN (IS lRST POSTING WAS TO THE 0ERMANENT -ISSION TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN .EW 9ORK &IVE YEARS LATER HE LEFT FOR -OSCOW IN )N HE ATTENDED A -ASTERS DEGREE COURSE PROGRAMME AT 3!)3 OF *OHNS (OPKINS 5NIVERSITY ON A &ULBRIGHT (AYS 3CHOLARSHIP !FTER RETURNING TO -&! (1 IN 3INGAPORE IN HE HELD VARIOUS POSTS THERE UNTIL WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED AS !MBASSADOR TO 3OUTH +OREA (E WAS $EPUTY 3ECRETARY )NTERNATIONAL AND $IRECTOR OF 00! $IRECTORATE ))) WHEN HE RETURNED FROM 3EOUL IN (E WAS CONFERRED THE /RDER OF $IPLOMATIC 3ERVICE -ERIT 'WANGHWA -EDAL BY THE 0RESIDENT OF THE 2EPUBLIC OF +OREA IN
#HANGING #AREERS T WAS BY COINCIDENCE THAT ) JOINED THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE )N THE EARLY S WITH POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE JUST A FEW YEARS OLD OUR &OREIGN 3ERVICE WAS ONLY JUST BEGINNING TO BUILD UP ITS CORPS OF OFlCERS ) HAD JUST RETURNED TO 3INGAPORE AFTER SOME YEARS OF ENGINEERING STUDIES IN #ANADA UNDER THE #OLOMBO 0LAN 3CHOLARSHIP AND WAS POSTED BY THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE #OMMISSION 03# TO THE &INANCE -INISTRY /NE DAY ) CHANCED UPON AN ADVERTISEMENT IN 4HE 3TRAITS 4IMES ON STAFF RECRUITMENT FOR THE &OREIGN -INISTRY 4HE IDEA OF CHAMPIONING 3INGAPORES INTERESTS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD HAD A CERTAIN APPEAL AND ) PROMPTLY PUT IN AN APPLICATION 5NFORTUNATELY FOR ME ) DID NOT THEN REALISE THAT THERE WERE CERTAIN PROCEDURES FOR SUCH CIVIL SERVICE TRANSFERS (OWEVER ) FOUND OUT SOON ENOUGH WHEN ) WAS HAULED UP AND ASKED ABOUT MY APPLICATION ) THOUGHT THAT WAS THE END OF THE EPISODE BUT SOME TIME LATER ) WAS SUMMONED TO SEE -R 'EORGE "OGAARS WHO WAS THEN 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY AT THE &OREIGN -INISTRY
)
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AS WELL AS (EAD OF #IVIL 3ERVICE )T TURNED OUT TO BE AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW THAT CHANGED THE COURSE OF MY CIVIL SERVICE CAREER ) STILL REMEMBER TO THIS DAY THE KIND ADVICE HE GAVE ME (E MUSED THAT THE YOUNG ALWAYS THINK THAT THEY KNOW EVERYTHING BUT REAL WISDOM WOULD COME ONLY WITH AGE AND LONG EXPERIENCE (E WAS RIGHT OF COURSE ) REMAIN GRATEFUL TO HIM FOR GIVING ME THE CHANCE TO JOIN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE &OR A WHILE ) WORKED AS A $ESK /FlCER COVERING SOME 3OUTH EAST !SIAN COUNTRIES 4HOSE WERE INTERESTING TIMES 4HERE WAS THE COUP IN 4HAILAND THAT OUSTED THE 4HANOM +ITTIKACHORN GOVERNMENT )N 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW MADE HIS lRST OFlCIAL VISIT TO THE 0HILIPPINES AT THE INVITATION OF 0RESIDENT &ERDINAND -ARCOS ,ATER THAT YEAR ) WAS ASSIGNED TO OUR .EW 9ORK -ISSION WHERE ) HAD THE GREAT FORTUNE OF SERVING UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF !MBASSADOR 4OMMY +OH WHO WAS THEN OUR 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS 5.
!T THE 5. .EW 9ORK AND THE 5. IN THE S WERE A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY ARE TODAY )T WAS STILL THE DECOLONISATION ERA AND THE RHETORIC AND POLITICS OF THE h.EW )NTERNATIONAL %CONOMIC /RDERv AND THE h.ORTH 3OUTH $IALOGUEv WERE AMONG THE PRE OCCUPATIONS OF THE DAY 7ITH THE #OLD 7AR STILL AT ITS HEIGHT THE DOCTRINE OF -UTUAL !SSURED $ESTRUCTION -!$ AND THE PROPAGANDA OF hDISARMAMENTv WERE VERY MUCH PART OF THE GAME BEING PLAYED OUT BETWEEN THE TWO SUPERPOWER CAMPS /F COURSE THE -IDDLE %AST SITUATION WAS AND STILL IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT POLITICAL ITEM ON THE 5. AGENDA 4HE IMAGE OF 9ASSER !RAFAT ADDRESSING THE 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY IN WITH A GUN HOLSTER REPORTEDLY EMPTY AT HIS HIP WAS AMONG THE ENDURING MEMORIES OF THOSE TIMES
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)N -OSCOW !T THE END OF MY TERM IN .EW 9ORK ) WAS CROSS POSTED TO OUR %MBASSY IN -OSCOW IN -OSCOW WAS THEN A CALM QUIET PLACE WHERE A FAVOURITE PASTIME AMONG DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES WAS SPECULATING ON WHEN WE WOULD SEE THE PASSING OF THE "REZHNEV ERA AND WHAT WOULD BE THE RESULT OF IT &OR ME IT WAS A VALUABLE LEARNING EXPERIENCE TO LIVE AND WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE LIFE UNDER COMMUNIST RULE WENT BY A PACE AND RHYTHM DIFFERENT FROM WHAT ) WAS USED TO IN 3INGAPORE AND HAD SEEN IN .ORTH !MERICA %VEN UNDER THE OLD 3OVIET REGIME IT WAS MANIFESTLY EVIDENT THAT 2USSIAN CREATIVE ENERGIES HAD NOT BEEN STImED AS COULD BE SEEN IN THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES -Y SHORT SOJOURN OF SLIGHTLY OVER A YEAR THERE WAS AN ENRICHING EXPERIENCE ) WAS PRIVILEGED TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF OBSERVING LIFE BEHIND THE METAPHORICAL hIRON CURTAINv BEFORE IT EVENTUALLY CAME DOWN IN LIKE THE "ERLIN 7ALL TWO YEARS EARLIER &ROM -OSCOW IT WAS BACK AGAIN TO THE 53 THIS TIME FOR A -ASTERS DEGREE AT THE 3CHOOL OF !DVANCED )NTERNATIONAL 3TUDIES 3!)3 OF *OHNS (OPKINS 5NIVERSITY ) MET SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING AND CLEVER PEOPLE THERE AMONG BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ,OCATED IN 7ASHINGTON RATHER THAN ON THE MAIN CAMPUS IN "ALTIMORE IT ATTRACTED A FAIR NUMBER OF 53 POLICY PRACTITIONERS AND ADVISORS FROM #APITOL (ILL TO TEACH VARIOUS COURSES THERE 4HIS COULD BE PARTLY THE REASON WHY ) FOUND 3!)3 TO BE FAR FROM BEING AN hIVORY TOWERv )N FACT IT GAVE ME A GOOD FORMAL EDUCATIONAL GROUNDING IN HISTORY POLITICS AND ECONOMICS
"ACK IN THE (1 2EVITALISED AND RECHARGED AFTER THE BRIEF ACADEMIC RE IMMERSION ) HAPPILY WENT HOME TO -&! HEADQUARTERS IN WHERE ) REMAINED
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FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS DOING VARIOUS JOBS FROM POLICY PLANNING COMPUTERISATION TO ADMINISTRATION )T WAS A GOOD TIME TO BE HOME TO BE PART OF ALL THE MANY FAST PACED CHANGES THAT 3INGAPORE WAS GOING THROUGH -&! ITSELF WAS MOVED FROM #ITY (ALL TO 2AFmES #ITY AT THE END OF 4HIS WAS THE DECADE WHEN WE COULD BORROW SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE 'OVERNMENT TO BUY A lRST GENERATION !PPLE )) PERSONAL COMPUTER AND -&! BROUGHT IN ITS lRST )"- hMAINFRAMESv TO AUTOMATE WORK PROCESSES $EDICATED WORD PROCESSORS HAD BEGUN REPLACING ELECTRIC TYPEWRITERS AT THE OFlCE BUT WERE THEMSELVES SOON REPLACED WITHIN THE DECADE BY INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED )"- 0#S PERSONAL COMPUTERS !LL THESE WERE NEW AND EXCITING STATE OF THE ART INVENTIONS AT THE TIME BUT HAVE SINCE BECOME RELICS OF HISTORY 4HIS WAS ALSO THE DECADE OF THE 6IETNAMESE OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA AND THE 3OVIET OCCUPATION OF !FGHANISTAN "UT AT THE PERSONAL LEVEL THE HIGHPOINT OF THESE TEN YEARS WAS MARRIAGE AND FATHERHOOD
!MBASSADOR TO 3OUTH +OREA !CCOMPANIED BY MY YOUNG FAMILY ) WENT TO 3EOUL IN TO BECOME !MBASSADOR TO 3OUTH +OREA 4HE h,AND OF -ORNING #ALMv HAD JUST ACHIEVED THE SUCCESS OF HOSTING THE 3UMMER /LYMPICS OF )TS DYNAMIC ECONOMY WAS SURGING FORWARD ALTHOUGH IT TOOK A FEW MORE YEARS BEFORE IT BECAME MORE OPEN TO FOREIGN IMPORTS 4HEN AND NOW THE SITUATION OF NEITHER WAR NOR PEACE BETWEEN THE TWO DIVIDED PARTS OF THE 0ENINSULA WAS A PERENNIAL CONCERN AND PRE OCCUPATION FOR THE 3EOUL GOVERNMENT BUT THIS DID NOT INTERFERE MUCH WITH THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF THE ORDINARY 3OUTH +OREAN PEOPLE 4HOSE +OREAN PEOPLE THAT MY WIFE AND ) MET DURING THOSE YEARS SHOWED US THEIR MANY ADMIRABLE TRAITS 7E NOTED THAT AS INDIVIDUALS THEY ARE TOUGH AND RESILIENT INDUSTRIOUS AND PERSEVERING !S A PEOPLE THEY ARE PROUD COHESIVE AND NATIONALISTIC /UR +OREAN FRIENDS HAVE EXPLAINED TO US THAT THE +OREAN PEOPLE ARE THE PRODUCT OF SURVIVAL IN A TOUGH ENVIRONMENT A MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WEDGED BETWEEN
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TWO LARGER COUNTRIES BOTH OF WHICH HAD AT VARIOUS TIMES INVADED AND OCCUPIED THE 0ENINSULA 7HEN MY FAMILY AND ) RETURNED HOME IN LATE AFTER COMPLETING OUR POSTING IN 3EOUL WE LEFT BEHIND MANY DEAR FRIENDS AND FOND MEMORIES OF FOUR WONDERFUL YEARS
#ONCLUSION ) SHALL CONCLUDE WITH SOME LESSONS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM MY TWENTY YEARS IN THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE &IRST WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT AS 3INGAPORES DIPLOMATS WE ARE OFTEN ACCORDED THE RESPECT AND REGARD THAT OUR LEADERS HAVE WON FOR 3INGAPORE FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS THAT 3INGAPORE IS SEEN TO BE 3O WE START OFF WITH THIS SMALL ADVANTAGE BUT WE MUST MAINTAIN IT 7E ALSO HAVE TO LIVE UP TO THE HIGHER STANDARDS THAT WOULD BE EXPECTED OF US 4HAT IS OUR CONSTANT CHALLENGE )T HAS BEEN SAID THAT 3INGAPORE PUNCHES ABOVE ITS WEIGHT 7E HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STRIVE FOR THE HIGHEST 7E HAVE TO STAY RELEVANT AND AHEAD OF THE RACE 3INGAPOREANS ARE WELL AWARE OF HOW MUCH THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT AND OUTSIDE WORLD AFFECT ALL ASPECTS OF OUR LIVES 7E SURVIVE AND PROSPER ONLY BECAUSE OF TRADE AND COMMERCE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD (OWEVER MANY 3INGAPOREANS lND LIVING HERE SO COMFORTABLE THAT THEY ARE RELUCTANT TO LIVE AND WORK ELSEWHERE )NCREASINGLY WITH GLOBALISATION AND 3INGAPORES QUEST FOR GREATER ECONOMIC SPACE A LARGER PART OF OUR POPULATION WILL HAVE TO BE WILLING TO lND ADVENTURE AND TAKE RISKS AWAY FROM OUR HOME COUNTRY 7HEN MY FAMILY AND ) WERE ABOUT TO RETURN HOME FROM OUR DIPLOMATIC POSTING IN 3EOUL MY ELDER SON WHO WAS THEN EIGHT YEARS OLD ASKED ME WHY DID WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO 3INGAPORE ) EXPLAINED TO HIM GENTLY THAT IT WAS BECAUSE 3INGAPORE WAS HOME AND WE WERE GOING HOME 4HEN IN HIS QUAINT "RITISH !MERICAN ACCENTED %NGLISH NO DOUBT PICKED UP FROM HIS CLASSMATES AT THE 3EOUL "RITISH 3CHOOL HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS !MERICAN AND THEREFORE hHOMEv WAS !MERICA 2ECOVERING FROM MY SLIGHT SHOCK ) THEN
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REALISED HOW DIFlCULT IT WOULD BE FOR MY WIFE AND ME IF WE HAD TO BRING UP OUR TWO SONS IN A FOREIGN ENVIRONMENT AND YET ENSURE THAT THEY GROW UP WITH A 3INGAPOREAN IDENTITY 4HAT EXEMPLIlES THE KIND OF CHALLENGE THAT 3INGAPORE WILL FACE WHEN WE BECOME MORE LIKE 3WITZERLAND BECAUSE UNLIKE 3WITZERLAND WE HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED A LONG HISTORY A STRONG TRADITION AND A SECURE NATIONAL IDENTITY TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR US TO ENSURE THAT OUR 3INGAPOREAN CHILDREN LIVING OVERSEAS WILL STILL ANCHOR THEIR ROOTS AT HOME (OWEVER HAVING SPENT LONG YEARS AWAY FROM HOME MYSELF AS BOTH A YOUNG STUDENT AND LATER AS A DIPLOMAT ) ALSO REALISE THE MANY IMPORTANT BENElTS OF BEING hEXPOSEDv TO THE REST OF THE WORLD IN ALL ITS VARIETY )T OFFERS ONE AN EDUCATION IN ITS BROADEST SENSE BEYOND JUST BOOKS AND THE CLASSROOM !ND GIVEN THE FACT OF OUR NEED TO BE PLUGGED INTO THE GLOBAL SYSTEM WHILE WE WANT OUR PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR VALUES AND IDENTITY SOLIDLY GROUNDED IN 3INGAPORE 3INGAPOREANS MUST ALSO BE ABLE AND WILLING TO LOOK BEYOND OUR COMFORTABLE SHORES )T IS THIS BALANCE THAT OUR NEXT GENERATION OF 3INGAPOREANS WILL HAVE TO lND FOR THEMSELVES
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Language, Culture and History as Tools of the Trade Professor Walter WOON is Ambassador to Belgium and concurrently to the European Communities, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Holy See and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. He was Ambassador to Germany and Greece from 1998 to 2003. Professor Woon is also a professor at the Law Faculty of the National University of Singapore. He was a Nominated Member of Parliament (1992–1996) and Legal Adviser to the President and Council of Presidential Advisers (1992–1997). He has been at various times a Director of Intraco Ltd. and Natsteel Ltd.; a Member of the Professional Affairs Committee and Publications Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law; Advisory Editor, Butterworths’ Singapore & Malaysian Company and Securities Law Reports; and a Member of the Advisory Board, Butterworths Asia. He is an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore and was Co-Counsel for the Presidency in Constitutional Reference No. 1 of 1995. He has authored several legal textbooks and one novel.
T
he Holy Roman Emperor Charles V is reputed to have said that he spoke Spanish to God, Italian to women, French to men and German to his horse. Charles V (1500–1558) was the most powerful man of his time; he ruled an empire that spanned most of the Benelux, Germany, Austria, northern Italy, Spain and the Spanish colonies of the New World. At the beginning of the 3rd millenium, it would be a surprise if the most powerful political leaders of the world spoke more than one language, let alone four. Instant communication across the globe and the economic dominance of the English-speaking countries over the past two centuries have reduced the need to learn any language other than English — or have they?
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Getting On in English It is common to hear people say, “You don’t have to learn the local language, it’s possible to get on fine with English in Amsterdam/ Athens/Berlin/Brussels/Rome” or wherever. The truth of that statement depends entirely on what one would accept as “getting on”. It is of course possible to live entirely in an Anglophone cocoon in the diplomatic world in Europe — dealing exclusively with the foreign office, reading the International Herald Tribune and Financial Times, watching the news on CNN and BBC World and buying English-language DVDs from Amazon.com. After three years or six or nine (in one case of an Ambassador in Berlin, 15 years) one may return home without knowing anything of the language or culture, having lived in the country without really experiencing it. The problem, of course, is that ambassadors have little time to dedicate to learning a difficult new language at a fairly late stage in life. It does not help that in German mice are feminine (die Maus) while maidens are neuter (das Mädchen), that Dutch sounds like the speaker has a bone stuck in his throat, or that when pronouncing a French word like hors-d’oeuvre the English-speaker finds that he seems to have half-a-dozen spare letters with no apparent function left over. However, while not underrating the difficulties, it is not impossible to pick up enough of the host country’s language to function. The aim is not fluency, but comprehension. One should make a distinction between reading, listening, speaking and writing a foreign language. Generally, it is unnecessary to learn to write; there are people to do that for you. As for speaking, it is seldom that one is called upon to make spontaneous conversation of more than the most trivial sort in the native language. When there are speeches to be made, again one can depend on one’s faithful translators. I would add here a caution against using computerassisted translations. I once ran the phrase la grande Catherine Deneuve (“the great Catherine Deneuve” — a reference to the famous French actress) through a translation programme; it came
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out as “the large Catherine Deneuve”, which may be literally correct (and possibly even true) but hardly diplomatic. This leaves us with listening and reading. It is possible to acquire the ability to read and comprehend a foreign language in a fairly short time. It is a matter of exposure and repetition. The Dutch are reputed to be so good in English because they watch American programmes in English with Dutch subtitles. The ability to read opens up the world; one sees a country unfiltered through the lens of Anglo-Saxon media, with all their prejudices, biases and stereotypes. Reading a German account of the fall of the Third Reich gives a completely different perspective of history than an American or British book. Nor can one find much about non-Anglophone Europe in the British or American press, or on CNN or BBC World. Anyone who has lived on the Continent for any length of time will find the lack of linguistic variety on American or British television disconcerting. That linguistic uniformity hides a uniformity of perspective that one does not realise until comparison is made with reports from nonEnglish language media.
To Learn or Not to Learn The big question is: So what? Why bother at all? There are several practical reasons. Firstly, there are issues of great significance to the host country that do not find any space in the Anglophone media — the linguistic politics of Belgium, for example, which might at some time in future lead to a velvet divorce between the Dutch- and French-speaking parts of the country. Secondly, many European politicians do not speak English well but may understand it. It is entirely possible to have a very interesting discussion speaking English while one’s counterpart speaks his language. Knowing the language gives access to such useful sources. Thirdly, there are many interesting and useful documents that are available only in the host country’s language. If such documents are received in confidence,
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it may not be possible to have them translated by our Mission’s interpreters. But the biggest advantage of learning the local language is the insight it gives into the local culture and history. This is not a mere academic indulgence. A knowledge of culture and history teaches one what subjects are touchy to one’s hosts — for instance, never compare a German politician to a concentration camp guard, even in jest (as the Prime Minister of Italy discovered). It allows one to put arguments in a manner which one’s hosts understand — for instance, knowing how democracy evolved in fits and starts over decades in Europe is invaluable when discussing the political evolution of Asia with a European audience. It gives one the ability to refute unfounded criticism – for instance, by pointing out the way European notions of morality and human rights have changed over the years (not always for the better) when being lectured by sanctimonious poseurs. Finally, life in a foreign country is so much more pleasant when one is able to read the menus and communicate with the natives. At the very least, it helps to avoid getting scalded if one knows that caldo on an Italian tap means “hot” and not “cold”. That, surely, must make the effort worthwhile.
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"REAKING 0ROTOCOL $R #(5! 9ONG (AI WAS WITH THE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE FROM TO SERVING AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN SEVERAL MINISTRIES (E ROSE FROM !DMINISTRATIVE /FlCER TO SUPERSCALE $EPUTY 3ECRETARY WHEN HE RESIGNED FROM THE SERVICE TO JOIN THE PRIVATE SECTOR (IS LAST POSITIONS IN THE SERVICE WERE $IRECTOR OF )NVESTMENTS IN THE -INISTRY OF &INANCE AND CONCURRENTLY 'ENERAL -ANAGER OF 4EMASEK (OLDINGS 0TE ,TD )N THE PRIVATE SECTOR HE WAS -ANAGING $IRECTOR OF 5NITED %NGINEERS ,TD 0RINCIPAL #ONSULTANT IN %GON :EHNDER )NTERNATIONAL 'ROUP 'ENERAL -ANAGER OF 3UNTEC #ITY $EVELOPMENT 0TE ,TD AND #HAIRMAN OF ,END ,EASE !SIA (OLDINGS 0TE ,TD AND !SIA 0ACIlC )NVESTMENT #OMPANY ,TD (E HAS ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY WORK FOR WHICH HE WAS AWARDED THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE -EDAL AND THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE 3TAR BY THE 0RESIDENT OF 3INGAPORE (E IS A *USTICE OF THE 0EACE (E WAS (ONORARY #ONSUL FOR 5RUGUAY TO 3INGAPORE FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE HE WAS APPOINTED 3INGAPORES .ON 2ESIDENT (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO .AMIBIA IN AND LATER CONCURRENTLY TO 3WAZILAND IN
.AMIBIAN #ELEBRATIONS N -ARCH ) ATTENDED THE TH )NDEPENDENCE !NNIVERSARY AND THE )NAUGURATION OF THE SECOND 0RESIDENT OF THE 2EPUBLIC OF .AMIBIA IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF 7INDHOEK $ESPITE NO OFlCIAL APPOINTMENTS BEING GRANTED ) WAS DETERMINED TO MEET WITH THE NEW 0RESIDENT AND HIS 0RIME -INISTER TO OFFER MY CONGRATULATIONS 4HERE WERE THREE SEPARATE FUNCTIONS TO CELEBRATE THE TWO OCCASIONS )NVITED FOREIGN GUESTS INCLUDED HEADS OF STATES OF MANY !FRICAN COUNTRIES AND DEPUTY HEADS OF STATE OF SEVERAL NON !FRICAN COUNTRIES 4HERE WERE ALSO MANY LOCAL DIGNITARIES FORMER FREEDOM lGHTERS RESIDENT AND NON RESIDENT AMBASSADORS AND IMPORTANT BUSINESSMEN FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE .AMIBIA
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! 0RESIDENTS "RAVE !DVICE ! FAREWELL DINNER WAS HELD IN THE EVENING OF 3UNDAY -ARCH IN HONOUR OF (IS %XCELLENCY $R 3AM .UJOMA THE FOUNDING AND OUTGOING 0RESIDENT OF .AMIBIA 4O AN AUDIENCE OF SOME GUESTS 0RESIDENT "ENJAMIN -KAPA OF 4ANZANIA GAVE A ROUSING SPEECH PRAISING $R .UJOMA FOR LEADING .AMIBIA TO FREEDOM STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT (OWEVER ) THOUGHT THAT HIS ADVICE THAT !FRICAN LEADERS SHOULD FOLLOW $R .UJOMAS EXAMPLE BY STEPPING ASIDE WHILE HE WAS STILL POPULAR WELL RESPECTED AND LOVED WAS MOST IMPORTANT ALTHOUGH IT MUST HAVE MADE A FEW !FRICAN LEADERS IN THE AUDIENCE FEEL EMBARRASSED 0RESIDENT 2OBERT -UGABE OF :IMBABWE ALSO SPOKE IMPROMPTU WITH A VERY STRONG VOICE AND IN STYLE TO THE LONG APPLAUSE OF THE AUDIENCE #ONSIDERED A CHAMPION BY MANY BLACK !FRICANS AND DESPITE BEING OVER HE WAS lT WITTY AND SHARP AND HAS A WIFE MUCH YOUNGER THAN HIMSELF
#ELEBRATING A 3MOOTH 4RANSITION 4HE TH )NDEPENDENCE !NNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WAS HELD IN THE MORNING OF -ARCH AT THE )NDEPENDENCE 3TADIUM DURING WHICH THE SWEARING IN OF THE SECOND 0RESIDENT (IS %XCELLENCY -R (IlKEPUNYE 0OHAMBA ALSO TOOK PLACE 4HERE WAS MUCH APLOMB AND JOY AMONGST THE CAPACITY CROWD COMPRISING THE INVITED GUESTS AND THE .AMIBIAN PUBLIC 4HE PARADE BY THE .AMIBIAN UNIFORMED GROUPS AND SEVERAL TRIBAL DANCES TO ROUSING TUNES PLAYED BY A .AMIBIAN POP MUSIC BAND WAS GREETED WITH LOUD CHEERS AND APPLAUSE /NE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE SWEARING IN OF A 0RESIDENT SHOULD BE A SOLEMN OCCASION BUT NOT THIS ONE WHICH WAS DONE WITH MUCH FANFARE AND MANY LIGHT MOMENTS 4HE $IRECTOR OF #EREMONIES WHO WAS THE OUTGOING -INISTER OF &INANCE .ANGOLO -BUMBA WAS A GREAT DELIGHT TO THE CROWD CRACKING JOKES ABOUT MANY THINGS
#HUA 9ONG (AIINDD
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AND PERSONALITIES INCLUDING THE OUTGOING AND INCOMING 0RESIDENTS 0ERHAPS THE .AMIBIANS HAD MUCH TO CELEBRATE FOR HAVING A SMOOTH AND TROUBLE FREE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION UNLIKE IN MANY OTHER !FRICAN COUNTRIES
.EW 0RESIDENTS 6ISION AND !GENDA !FTER HIS SWEARING IN THE NEW 0RESIDENT GAVE A VERY COURAGEOUS SPEECH PAYING TRIBUTE TO HIS PREDECESSOR AND OUTLINING HIS VISION AND MISSION FOR HIS COUNTRY (E TOUCHED ON ISSUES SUCH AS SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY LAND REFORMATION ()6!)$3 NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND EDUCATION "UT ONE ISSUE WHICH RESONATED WELL WITH THE AUDIENCE WAS IN THE 0RESIDENTS OWN WORDS h!S BEFORE THERE WILL BE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR WASTAGE AND CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC LIFE ) THEREFORE MAKE A SOLEMN PLEDGE TO YOU MY COMPATRIOTS AND FELLOW CITIZENS THAT ) SHALL SET A PERSONAL EXAMPLEv !GAIN THIS MUST HAVE BEEN RECEIVED WITH SOME UNEASE AMONGST SEVERAL INVITED GUESTS !LSO AT THE PROMPTING OF THE $IRECTOR OF #EREMONIES AND SUPPORTED BY THE AUDIENCE THE NEW 0RESIDENT RELUCTANTLY DISCLOSED THE NAMES OF HIS NEW 0RIME -INISTER AND $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER WHO WERE THERE AND THEN SWORN IN BY THE #HIEF *USTICE ALTHOUGH THIS WAS NOT EXPECTED UNTIL THE LATE AFTERNOON WHEN THE NEW #ABINET LINE UP WAS ANNOUNCED -ANY OF THE MINISTERS INCLUDING 0RIME -INISTER 4HEO "EN 'URIRAB IN THE PREVIOUS #ABINET WHOM ) KNEW WELL WERE NOT REAPPOINTED ) FELT RATHER SAD ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IN !FRICAN COUNTRIES IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW KEY GOVERNMENT MINISTERS AND OFlCIALS WELL TO GET THINGS DONE QUICKLY
'ATE CRASHING THE 0RESIDENTS ,UNCH AND 5NAPPOINTED -EETINGS )N THE lRST TWO FUNCTIONS ) WAS UNABLE TO MEET WITH THE OUTGOING AND INCOMING 0RESIDENTS AND 0RIME -INISTERS -Y LAST CHANCE WAS
#HUA 9ONG (AIINDD
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THE OFlCIAL LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE NEW 0RESIDENT IN THE AFTERNOON AFTER HIS SWEARING IN AND AT THE 7INDHOEK #OUNTRY #LUB ) KNEW THAT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SEE THEM AS THEY WOULD BE VERY BUSY MOVING OFlCE AND MEETING WITH HEADS AND DEPUTY HEADS OF STATE WHO REMAINED BEHIND AFTER THE CEREMONIES "UT AS A NON RESIDENT HIGH COMMISSIONER ) WAS NOT INVITED TO THE LUNCHEON (OWEVER AS ) WAS STAYING AT THE SAME PLACE WHERE THE LUNCHEON WAS BEING HELD AND IT WAS GOOD INTENTION ANYWAY ) THOUGHT THAT ) SHOULD TRY TO ATTEND THE EVENT ) TOLD THE SECURITY PEOPLE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE FUNCTION WHO MY WIFE AND ) WERE AND TO OUR DELIGHT THEY ALLOWED US IN AND EVEN SHOWED US TO THE TABLES WHERE WE COULD BE SEATED ) MUST HOWEVER CONFESS THAT MY WIFE WAS A BIT NERVOUS BEING NOT USED TO BEING A SELF INVITED GUEST "UT AS IT TURNED OUT THERE WERE VACANT SEATS AROUND MANY TABLES !TTENDED BY ABOUT GUESTS THE LUNCHEON WAS BUFFET STYLE EVEN FOR THE NEW 0RESIDENT AND THE 66)0S AND VERY RELAXED INFORMAL AND JOYOUS !S SOMEONE WHO WAS NEVER AFRAID TO APPROACH PEOPLE PERHAPS SOMETHING ) HAD LEARNT FROM MY MANY YEARS OF hGRASSROOTSv COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL WORK AND IN BUSINESS ) MANAGED TO SPEAK TO ALL THE OUTGOING AND INCOMING 0RESIDENTS AND 0RIME -INISTERS AND EVEN TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS WITH THEM ) REMINDED THE NEW 0RESIDENT OF THE CONGRATULATORY LETTER THAT 0RIME -INISTER ,EE (SIEN ,OONG HAD WRITTEN TO HIM EARLIER (E WAS APPRECIATIVE AND REMARKED THAT HE HAD NEVER VISITED 3INGAPORE BUT HAD HEARD MANY POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT IT FROM HIS COLLEAGUES /N ANOTHER DAY ) ALSO WENT UNANNOUNCED TO THE -INISTRY OF &ISHERIES AND -ARINE 2ESOURCES AND MET WITH -INISTER !BRAHAM )YAMBO AND ONE OF HIS ADVISORS ) WAS INTERESTED TO lND OUT WHAT THE .AMIBIAN lSHING INDUSTRY COULD OFFER TO 3INGAPORE
#HUA 9ONG (AIINDD
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#ONCLUSION !RRANGING APPOINTMENTS WITH !FRICAN MINISTERS BUREAUCRATS AND BUSINESSMEN CAN OFTEN BE FRUSTRATING ALTHOUGH GENERALLY SPEAKING THEY ARE FAIRLY RELAXED ABOUT PROTOCOLS !LSO UNLIKE IN 3INGAPORE PREARRANGED APPOINTMENTS ARE OFTEN RESCHEDULED OR CANCELLED AT THE LAST MOMENT )F YOU HAVE ONLY A FEW DAYS IN AN !FRICAN COUNTRY YOU NEED PERSEVERANCE A THICK SKIN AND EVEN IMAGINATION TO GET TO MEET WITH THESE PEOPLE 0OLITENESS AND PATIENCE ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT 3O AS PEOPLE SAY PERSONS WITH SUCH ATTRIBUTES FOR EXAMPLE BUSINESSMEN CAN MAKE GOOD DIPLOMATS
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-EN AND 7OMEN OF /UR &OREIGN 3ERVICE ! $EDICATION !N !CCOUNTANT BY TRAINING -R 0HILIP %.' IS 3INGAPORES (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO THE &EDERAL 2EPUBLIC OF .IGERIA (E IS $EPUTY #HAIRMAN OF -#, ,AND ,TD AND #HAIRMAN OF !CCORD #USTOMER #ARE 3OLUTIONS (E IS #OMMISSIONER IN 04 "ANK $ANAMON )NDONESIA AND $IRECTOR OF !SIA 'ENERAL (OLDINGS ,TD -41 #ORPORATION ,TD 3INGAPORE #OMPUTER 3YSTEMS ,TD #ITY 'AS 0TE ,TD AND THE #HINESE $EVELOPMENT !SSISTANCE #OUNCIL (E IS ALSO 6ICE #HAIRMAN OF .ETWORK )NDONESIA (E SERVED AS 'ROUP -ANAGING $IRECTOR OF *ARDINE #YCLE #ARRIAGE ,TD FROM TO AND HE WAS A $IRECTOR ON THE BOARD OF #YCLE #ARRIAGE "INTANG AND #OMMISSIONER IN 04 !STRA )NTERNATIONAL 4BK DURING THE SAME PERIOD
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EING A RELATIVE NEWCOMER TO THIS FRATERNITY ) EXPECT THAT MY NUMEROUS ESTEEMED COLLEAGUES HAVE MANY MORE WORDS OF WISDOM AS WELL AS ANECDOTES TO SHARE THAN ME 7HAT FOLLOWS THEN IS MY SMALL
CONTRIBUTION )N CONSIDERING WHAT ) COULD POSSIBLY SAY TO OUR NEXT GENERATION DIPLOMATS AS WELL AS LAY CITIZENRY OF 3INGAPORE WHO MAY PICK UP THIS BOOK READ AND PERHAPS VENTURE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY MY THOUGHTS TURNED TO EXPERIENCES RELATED TO THE COUNTRY TO WHICH MY 'OVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED ME &ROM THE ONSET IT MUST BE STATED THAT THESE EXPERIENCES MAY WELL NOT SYNCH WITH THOSE OF A TYPICAL DIPLOMATS AS ) AM 3INGAPORES REPRESENTATIVE IN .IGERIA OPERATING OUT OF THE COMFORT AND FAMILIARITY OF MY HOME HERE (ENCE ) IMAGINE THESE EXPERIENCES WILL DIFFER WHETHER TO A LARGE OR SMALL EXTENT FROM THOSE OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE PHYSICALLY LOCATED ELSEWHERE IN THEIR COUNTRIES OF ACCREDITATION
0HILIP %NGINDD
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+NOWLEDGE IS 0OWER )N MY MIND THE FOREMOST KNOWLEDGE A DIPLOMAT NEEDS ONCE HE OR SHE IS IN THE lELD IS OF THE LAY OF THE LAND 5NDERSTANDING THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN YOUR HOST COUNTRY AND HOW THINGS WORK AND INDEED HOW THEY GET DONE SHOULD THERE BE A NEED TO TAKE hUNOFlCIALh PATHS SOMETIMES ARE ESSENTIAL )N DEVELOPED CITIES THIS MAY BE STRAIGHTFORWARD BUT IN LESS DEVELOPED PLACES IT MAKES A CRUCIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND FAILURE )NDEED IT IMPACTS ON WHETHER YOU ARE ABLE TO ACHIEVE YOUR TASKS AT HAND !NOTHER CRUCIAL ELEMENT OF BEING ABLE TO BE A GOOD DIPLOMAT IS AWARENESS AWARENESS THAT TO BORROW THE WORDS OF ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES THERE ARE NO PERMANENT FRIENDS JUST PERMANENT INTERESTS !ND THESE INTERESTS DETERMINE THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DIPLOMAT IN THE lELD 7HEN WE ARE hOUT THEREv WE NEED TO BE AWARE THAT SOMETIMES THERE IS REALLY NOTHING VERY MUCH BEYOND THE NICETIES 3INGAPORE MAY NOT FEATURE HIGHLY IN THE AGENDA OF SOME OF OUR FRIENDS AND THAT MUST NOT BE UNEXPECTED 7E RECOGNISE IT WHEN WE ARE MET WITH BUREAUCRATIC INERTIA AND SOMETIMES FEEL WE ARE PUSHED BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF GOODWILL 4HAT IS ALL PART AND PARCEL OF WHAT WE DO 7E TAKE THESE WITHIN OUR STRIDE DO NOT LET OURSELVES BE PERTURBED AND REMAIN FRIENDLY 4HROUGHOUT WE CONTINUE TO REPRESENT 3INGAPORE AS BEST AS WE CAN 7ITH REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS AND GOOD HUMOUR WE CAN FULlLL OUR MISSION AND EVEN HAVE A GOOD TIME DOING SO
3TRUCTURE ) RETURN TO STRUCTURE 3TRUCTURE OR SOMETIMES THE LACK OF IT IS A DETERMINANT OF HOW TRYING OUR TIME AS A DIPLOMAT CAN BE 7ORKING AROUND CONSTRAINTS PRESENTED EITHER BY THE STRUCTURE OR LACK THEREOF CAN BE A SUPREME TEST OF PATIENCE BUT IF WE PREVAIL WE COME OUT THE BETTER FROM THE EXPERIENCE 3O HOW DOES ONE WORK WITH OR AROUND THESE CHALLENGES
0HILIP %NGINDD
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4EAMWORK 4HE MEN AND WOMEN YOUNG AND OLD WHO SERVE 3INGAPORE BEHIND THE SCENES HAVE BEEN OFT MENTIONED IN VARIOUS DIFFERENT SETTINGS AND OCCASIONS 4HEY CANNOT BE NEGLECTED IN THE REmECTIONS OF THIS DIPLOMAT 7E WHO ARE ACCORDED HONORIlCS SUCH AS h!MBASSADORv h%XCELLENCYv OR h(IGH #OMMISSIONERv CAN ONLY BE EFFECTIVE AS OUR NATIONS TOP REPRESENTATIVE IN OUR HOST COUNTRIES BECAUSE OF THE COLLEAGUES WITH US IN OUR COUNTRIES OF ACCREDITATION AS WELL AS THOSE AT HOME WHO SUPPORT US -OVING AROUND IN THE GLAMOUR PERCEIVED AS WELL AS REAL OF THE DIPLOMATIC CIRCUIT WE MUST BE COGNIZANT THAT THIS LIFESTYLE IS IN A SENSE ARTIlCIAL 7E MUST NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO BEGIN TO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE hEXCELLENTv AND FORGET THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ALL PARTS OF THE MACHINERY THAT ENABLES 3INGAPORE TO CONTINUE RUNNING SMOOTHLY 'RANTED THAT SOME PARTS ARE BIGGER THAN OTHERS WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL THAT ALL PARTS ARE ESSENTIAL %FlCIENT STAFF WHO READ UP AND RESEARCH PREPARE BRIEFS AND TALKING POINTS APPRISE US OF THE STATE OF PLAY AND BRING US UP TO DATE ON ISSUES WE CANNOT AS INDIVIDUALS POSSIBLY BE ON TOP OF ALL OF THE TIME /UR COLLEAGUES WHO PLAN OUR PROGRAMMES VISITS CALLS MEETINGS AND TRAVEL ITINERARIES TEND TO THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED DETAILS OF OUR PROFESSIONAL LIVES DOWN TO THE MINUTIAE 4EAM MEMBERS WHO DO THE GRUNGE WORK OF SORTING OUT DOCUMENTATION EVENT LOGISTICS lNANCIAL PLANNING AND HUMAN RESOURCE NEEDS WE HAVE ALL BENElTED FROM THEIR DEDICATION TO THEIR MISSIONS )T IS EASY TO FORGET THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS SO NECESSARY TO THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF OUR MISSIONS OVERSEAS AND THOSE LOCATED BECAUSE OF OUR SYSTEM OF NON RESIDENTIAL AMBASSADORS ON HOME GROUND SO FOR THE RECORD IN THIS ESSAY ) THANK THEM ,ADIES AND 'ENTLEMEN OF THE 3INGAPORE &OREIGN 3ERVICE THIS DIPLOMAT SALUTES YOU
0HILIP %NGINDD
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$IPLOMACY 3INGAPORE 3TYLE 0ROFESSOR "RIAN ,%% #HANG ,ENG IS .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR TO +ENYA AND +UWAIT (E JOINED THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE AS .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR IN (E SERVED AS !MBASSADOR TO /MAN RESIDENT IN 3INGAPORE FROM TO (E STARTED HIS PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING CAREER IN THE ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN !USTRALIA AND 3INGAPORE FROM UNTIL (E LEFT THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND JOINED THE .ANYANG 4ECHNOLOGICAL 5NIVERSITY .45 AS THE FOUNDING $EAN OF THE 3CHOOL OF %LECTRICAL AND %LECTRONIC %NGINEERING FROM TO BEFORE BECOMING $IRECTOR OF THE )NTERNATIONAL 2ELATIONS /FlCE FROM TO (E IS CURRENTLY AN !DJUNCT 0ROFESSOR WITH THE 3CHOOL OF %LECTRICAL AND %LECTRONIC %NGINEERING AT .45 AND #HAIRMAN OF 4AI 3IN %LECTRIC #ABLES -ANUFACTURER ,TD (E HAS ALSO SERVED AS A "OARD -EMBER IN MANY ORGANISATIONS (E HAS RECEIVED AWARDS AND DECORATIONS FROM THE 3INGAPORE AND &RENCH GOVERNMENTS
.ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADORS 3CHEME INGAPORE HAS PROGRESSED AND TRANSFORMED ITSELF FROM A 4HIRD 7ORLD TO A &IRST 7ORLD COUNTRY SINCE ITS INDEPENDENCE IN "EING A SMALL COUNTRY AND AN INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGN ISLAND CITY STATE WITH A POPULATION OF FOUR MILLION 3INGAPORE HAS LIMITED HUMAN AND lNANCIAL RESOURCES AND A SHORTAGE OF TALENT )N ORDER TO ENHANCE ITS INTERNATIONAL STANDING AND IMAGE 3INGAPORE HAS INCREASED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH MORE COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD BUT WITHOUT DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION IN THOSE COUNTRIES !S THERE IS A LIMITED POOL OF SENIOR AND EXPERIENCED CAREER DIPLOMATS 3INGAPORE HAS SET UP OVERSEAS MISSIONS IN COUNTRIES 4HE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT DECIDED IN TO ENLARGE ITS DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION BY ESTABLISHING A RATHER UNIQUE SCHEME OF 2OVING !MBASSADORS LATER RE DESIGNATED AS .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADORS .2!S 4HESE .2!S ARE CAREFULLY IDENTIlED
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NOMINATED AND APPOINTED FROM AMONGST SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMEN PROFESSIONALS EXECUTIVES AND CIVIL SERVANTS 4HIS .2! SCHEME IS TO SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING (EADS OF -ISSION WHO ARE ALSO ACCREDITED TO A FEW OTHER COUNTRIES /N AVERAGE EACH OF THE EXISTING .2!S IS ACCREDITED TO TWO COUNTRIES !N .2! IS EXPECTED TO MAKE TWO REPRESENTATIONAL VISITS TO EACH COUNTRY ANNUALLY 4HE OBJECTIVES OF THE REPRESENTATIONAL VISIT CAN BE SUMMARISED IN THE FOLLOWING s !DVANCE AND PROMOTE 3INGAPORES NATIONAL INTERESTS s !SSIST IN PROMOTING TRADE BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND s 0ROMOTE A POSITIVE IMAGE OF 3INGAPORE ) WAS APPOINTED AS THE lRST 3INGAPORE AMBASSADOR TO THE 3TATE OF +UWAIT AND THE 2EPUBLIC OF +ENYA RESIDENT IN 3INGAPORE ON 3EPTEMBER !S AN ENGINEER INDUSTRIALIST ACADEMIC AND COMMUNITY LEADER ) WAS APPOINTED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCE LIKE MOST OF THE OTHER .2!S
0RE POSTING 0REPARATION )NITIALLY THE NEWLY APPOINTED .2!S WERE BRIEFED ON THEIR ROLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A DIPLOMAT PRIOR TO PRESENTING THEIR CREDENTIALS TO THE (EADS OF 3TATE FOR ACCREDITATION AS AN %XTRAORDINARY AND 0LENIPOTENTIARY !MBASSADOR "EFORE MAKING HISHER INAUGURAL VISIT TO PRESENT THE CREDENTIALS AN .2! SHOULD READ AND LEARN ABOUT THE POLITICAL ECONOMIC EDUCATIONAL SOCIO CULTURAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL LANDSCAPES OF THE COUNTRY 4HERE IS A NEED TO LEARN ABOUT THE TRADITIONAL PRACTICES CULTURAL VALUES AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIFFER FROM ONE COUNTRY TO ANOTHER $URING EACH REPRESENTATIONAL VISIT AN .2! WILL MEET GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND OFlCIALS DIPLOMATS BUSINESSMEN MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AND 3INGAPOREANS 4HE PURPOSE IS TO ESTABLISH STRENGTHEN AND DEEPEN
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BILATERAL RELATIONS AND PROMOTE POLITICAL ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL TIES BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND EACH OF THE ACCREDITED COUNTRIES !T THE END OF EACH REPRESENTATIONAL VISIT A REPORT WILL BE PREPARED WITH A FOLLOW UP SCHEDULE FOR NECESSARY ACTION 4HE ABOVE DESCRIBES A BRAND OF DIPLOMACY OF A DISTINCTIVELY 3INGAPORE STYLE
$IPLOMATIC %XPERIENCES )T IS IMPORTANT AND CRUCIAL TO MAKE CONTACTS WITH BOTH NATIONALS AND EXPATRIATES INCLUDING 3INGAPOREANS IN THE ACCREDITED COUNTRY 7ITH EACH REPRESENTATIONAL VISIT THERE IS A REAL NEED TO DEVELOP AND INCREASE NETWORKING AND CULTIVATE GOOD RAPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP WITH KEY PEOPLE AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY -UTUAL RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER NEEDS TO BE CREATED AS A RESULT
0OLITICAL 2ELATIONS 3INGAPORES BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH +UWAIT AND +ENYA ARE WARM AND FRIENDLY 4HERE ARE NO OUTSTANDING POLITICAL ISSUES THAT REQUIRE TO BE RESOLVED WITH EACH OF THESE TWO COUNTRIES
+UWAIT )N THE CASE OF +UWAIT 3INGAPORE CAN SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN INTERNATIONAL FORA SUCH AS THE 5. .ON !LIGNED -OVEMENT .!- AND THE !SIA -IDDLE %AST $IALOGUE !-%$ +ENYA AND 3INGAPORE CAN SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN THE 5. .!- AND THE #OMMONWEALTH 3INGAPORES POLITICAL RELATIONS WITH +UWAIT ENHANCED AND DEEPENED THROUGH OUR STRONG SUPPORT OF +UWAIT ON THE )RAQI INVASION DURING THE 'ULF 7AR ) IN 3UBSEQUENTLY 3INGAPORE PARTICIPATED IN THE 5. )RAQ +UWAIT /BSERVATION -ISSION 5.)+/- BY SENDING
"RIAN ,EEINDD
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MILITARY OBSERVERS FROM UNTIL $URING OUR TERM AS A NON PERMANENT MEMBER IN THE 5. 3ECURITY #OUNCIL 3INGAPORE SUPPORTED THE POST WAR COMPENSATION AND THE RETURN OF +UWAITI 0/7S *UST PRIOR TO THE INVASION OF 53 LED COALITION FORCES INTO )RAQ IN -ARCH THE 3INGAPORE .2! TO +UWAIT MANAGED TO CONVINCE THE +UWAITI AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW 3INGAPOREAN STUDENTS STUDYING IN +UWAITI EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS TO RETURN SAFELY TO 3INGAPORE 4HESE STUDENTS RETAINED THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS AND RETURNED TO +UWAIT TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR STUDY AFTER THE WAR &OLLOWING THE DOWNFALL OF )RAQ 3INGAPORE PROVIDED SOME MILITARY LOGISTICS SUPPORT AND TRAINING OF )RAQI POLICE IN THE SUPERVISION OF ESSENTIAL INSTALLATIONS 3INCE UNTIL THERE WERE FEW EXCHANGES OF GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND OFlCIALS BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND +UWAIT )N *ULY THE 0RIME -INISTER OF THE 3TATE OF +UWAIT (IS (IGHNESS 3HEIKH 3ABAH !L !HMAD !L *ABER !L 3ABAH VISITED 3INGAPORE WITH SOME OF HIS MINISTERS AND OFlCIALS TO PROMOTE hSTRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPv WITH 3INGAPORE $URING THIS VISIT +UWAIT WAS INVITED BY 3INGAPORE THE INITIATOR OF THE !SIA -IDDLE %AST $IALOGUE !-%$ TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE !-%$ 3TEERING #OMMITTEE TO PROMOTE GREATER UNDERSTANDING ON IMPORTANT POLITICAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN THE TWO REGIONS 3INGAPORE 3ENIOR -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG RECIPROCATED BY MAKING AN OFlCIAL VISIT TO +UWAIT IN !PRIL TO FOLLOW UP ON HIS CONTACT WITH THE COUNTRYS POLITICAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS
+ENYA 3INGAPORE AND +ENYA SUPPORTED EACH OTHER AT INTERNATIONAL FORA 3INGAPORE SUPPORTED +ENYA FOR A NON PERMANENT SEAT IN THE 5. 3ECURITY #OUNCIL 5.3# FOR THE n TERM AND ITS )NTERNATIONAL #RIMINAL 4RIBUNAL FOR 2WANDA )#42 CANDIDATURE IN )N RETURN +ENYA SUPPORTED 3INGAPORE IN ITS SUCCESSFUL BID FOR
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A 5.3# NON PERMANENT SEAT FOR THE n TERM +ENYA ALSO SUPPORTED OUR SUCCESSFUL BID TO HOST THE )-&7ORLD "ANK -EETING IN 3INGAPORE IN OUR MEMBERSHIP TO THE EXPANDED )NTERNATIONAL #IVIL !VIATION /RGANISATION )#!/ 'OVERNING #OUNCIL IN !PRIL AND OUR RE ELECTION IN +ENYA HAD PREVIOUSLY PLEDGED VERBALLY TO SUPPORT OUR CANDIDATURES TO THE )NTERNATIONAL -ARITIME /RGANISATION )-/ #OUNCIL IN AND THE 5. #OMMITTEE ON THE %LIMINATION OF $ISCRIMINATION AGAINST 7OMEN #%$!7 IN +ENYA WOULD GIVE ITS WRITTEN SUPPORT FOR OUR RE ELECTION TO SERVE ON THE )-/ #OUNCIL IF 3INGAPORE WOULD DO LIKEWISE FOR +ENYAS BID TO BE AN )-/ #OUNCIL MEMBER IN /VER THE YEARS 3INGAPORE AND +ENYAN POLITICAL LEADERS HAD MADE SOME OFlCIAL VISITS 3INGAPORES THEN &OREIGN -INISTER 7ONG +AN 3ENG VISITED +ENYA IN +ENYAS THEN 0RESIDENT $ANIEL !RAP -OI VISITED 3INGAPORE IN AND MADE TWO TRANSIT VISITS IN /THER +ENYAN -INISTERS VISITED 3INGAPORE &INANCE -INISTER -USALIA -UDAVADI VISITED IN 4OURISM AND 7ILDLIFE -INISTER *OHN !NDREW /MANGO IN AND &OREIGN -INISTER 3TEPHEN +ALONZO -USYOKA IN
%CONOMIC 2ELATIONS +UWAIT )N ORDER TO IMPROVE TRADE AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND +UWAIT THE 3INGAPORE +UWAIT !IR 3ERVICES !GREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN ! 3INGAPORE TRADE DELEGATION VISITED +UWAIT IN !N !VOIDANCE OF $OUBLE 4AXATION !GREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES WAS SIGNED IN 3INGAPORE IN $URING THE VISIT OF THE +UWAITI 0RIME -INISTER TO 3INGAPORE IN AN %CONOMIC 4RADE AND 4ECHNICAL #OOPERATION !GREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY THE 4RADE -INISTERS )T WAS AGREED THAT 3INGAPORE AND +UWAIT WOULD NEGOTIATE ON THE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT &4! WHICH
"RIAN ,EEINDD
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WOULD INCLUDE THE )NVESTMENT 'UARANTEE !GREEMENT TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FRAMEWORK FOR CLOSER ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND MORE ECONOMIC INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TWO PRIVATE SECTORS )N ADDITION +UWAIT SIGNED A -EMORANDUM OF 5NDERSTANDING -/5 ON % GOVERNMENT #OOPERATION WITH 3INGAPORE +UWAIT HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO PORTS AND AIRPORTS AND IN LEARNING ABOUT 3INGAPORES EXPERIENCE IN DRAWING UP A TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY FRAMEWORK 0REFERENCE FOR GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IS DESIRABLE IN +UWAIT "OTH 4RADE -INISTERS FROM 3INGAPORE AND +UWAIT AGREED TO ESTABLISH A *OINT -INISTERIAL #OMMITTEE TO MONITOR AND FOLLOW UP ON ALL OF THESE AREAS OF COLLABORATION &OLLOWING THE VISIT OF THE +UWAITI -INISTER OF #OMMUNICATIONS 0LANNING AND !DMINISTRATIVE $EVELOPMENT 3HEIKH !HMAD !L !BDULLAH !L !HMAD !L 3ABAH IN 3EPTEMBER 3INGAPORE -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY (ENG #HEE (OW VISITED +UWAIT TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE 3INGAPORE +UWAIT *OINT -INISTERIAL #OMMITTEE IN /CTOBER ! 3INGAPORE &4! TEAM AND )$! % GOVERNMENT TEAM WENT TO MEET THEIR COUNTERPARTS DURING THIS VISIT ! BUSINESS DELEGATION ACCOMPANIED 3INGAPORE 3ENIOR -INISTER 'OH IN !PRIL
+ENYA +ENYA IS INTERESTED TO INCREASE ECONOMIC TIES WITH 3INGAPORE IN TRADE BUSINESS TOURISM AND INVESTMENT )N ORDER TO PROMOTE THESE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES +ENYA !IRWAYS AND 3INGAPORE !IRLINES HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO ESTABLISH AIR LINKS BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND +ENYA 2ECENTLY +ENYA HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO ASK +ENYA !IRWAYS TO MAKE A STOPOVER IN 3INGAPORE WITH ITS WEEKLY SERVICES BETWEEN .AIROBI AND (ONG +ONG VIA "ANGKOK )N +ENYA THERE ARE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING BIDDING FOR 7ORLD "ANK PROJECTS
"RIAN ,EEINDD
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#ULTURAL%DUCATIONAL 2ELATIONS /N CULTURAL COOPERATION THE 3INGAPORE !RT -USEUM IS INTERESTED IN EXPLORING BILATERAL EXCHANGES AND COLLABORATIONS ON CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITIONS WITH INSTITUTIONS AND MUSEUMS IN +UWAIT #URRENTLY THE !SIAN #IVILISATIONS -USEUM HAS LOANED ARTIFACTS FROM THE 4AREQ 2AJAB -USEUM A PRIVATE MUSEUM IN +UWAIT 3INGAPORE IS INTERESTED TO INVITE +UWAIT TO PARTICIPATE IN CULTURAL PERFORMANCES AND EXHIBITIONS IN THE NEW -ALAY (ERITAGE #ENTRE 4HE 3INGAPORE !VIATION !CADEMY TRAINED PARTICIPANTS FROM +UWAIT 4O DATE ONLY ONE +UWAITI OFlCIAL ATTENDED ONE OF OUR 3INGAPORE #OOPERATION 0ROGRAMME 3#0 COURSES 3INGAPORE HAS PROVIDED TRAINING TO +ENYAN OFlCIALS UNDER THE 3#0 0ROGRAMME SINCE 4HE 3#0 COURSES INCLUDE A WIDE RANGE OF lELDS SUCH AS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CIVIL AVIATION PRODUCTIVITY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRADE PROMOTION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT URBAN DEVELOPMENT CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT TOURISM AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS 3INGAPORE UNIVERSITIES HAVE TRAINED TWO OR THREE +ENYAN STUDENTS PER YEAR UNDER THEIR -ASTERS PROGRAMMES )N RETURN +ENYA IS PREPARED TO TRAIN 3INGAPORE ATHLETES PARTICULARLY IN THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNING
2EmECTIONS &ROM PERSONAL DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCES IT IS APPARENT THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF AN .2! SHOULD BE FOR AT LEAST TWO THREE YEAR TERMS BEFORE ANY SUBSTANTIVE BILATERAL RELATIONS CAN BE ACHIEVED )T IS IMPORTANT FOR AN .2! TO IDENTIFY THE NATIONAL NEEDS PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS OF MUTUAL INTEREST FOR IMPLEMENTATION &OCUS SHOULD BE MADE TO PROMOTE POLITICAL ECONOMIC SOCIO CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL RELATIONS BETWEEN COUNTRIES )T IS EXTREMELY VITAL TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN CLOSE RAPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND OFlCIALS DIPLOMATS
"RIAN ,EEINDD
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BUSINESSMEN MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AND 3INGAPOREANS RESIDING AND WORKING IN THE COUNTRIES TO WHICH THE .2! IS ACCREDITED )T IS ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT AND CRUCIAL TO GENERATE GOODWILL INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT OF TOP POLITICAL LEADERS TO MAKE OFlCIAL VISITS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES 7HEN AN .2! IS BASED IN 3INGAPORE HESHE CAN DO MORE TO COOPERATE AND ASSIST THE COUNTRY OF ACCREDITATION AS THERE IS BETTER CONTACT AND NETWORKING IN 3INGAPORE !LL .2!S SHOULD PLAY A KEY ROLE IN PLANNING AND ORGANISING THE PROGRAMME OF AN OFlCIAL VISIT FOR OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERS IN ORDER THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE VISIT CAN BE MET
#ONCLUSION 4HE 3INGAPORE .2! SCHEME HAS PROVEN TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS -UCH DIPLOMACY AND GOODWILL HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE .2!S IN MORE COUNTRIES WHERE WE NOW HAVE ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION
"RIAN ,EEINDD
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&ROM "USINESS TO $IPLOMACY -R 6ICTOR ,/( HAS BEEN 3INGAPORES .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR TO 0OLAND SINCE *ANUARY (E ALSO SERVES ON THE "OARDS OF 3-24 #ORPORATION ,TD AND SEVERAL OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES 4HAKRAL #ORPORATION ,TD AND 3EKSUN #ORPORATION ,TD (E JOINED 0HILIPS 3INGAPORE IN AND FOR VARYING PERIODS FROM TO AND WAS CONCURRENTLY THE #HAIRMAN 0RESIDENT #%/ OF 0HILIPS 'ROUP OF #OMPANIES IN 3INGAPORE #HINA AND (ONG +ONG AND OF THE GLOBAL BUSINESS UNIT OF !UDIO (E ALSO SERVED ON THE "OARD OF THE 0ORT OF 3INGAPORE !UTHORITY THE #OUNCIL OF THE .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE THE .ATIONAL 3CIENCE 4ECHNOLOGY "OARD AND THE "OARD OF 'OVERNORS OF 4HE )NSTITUTE OF 0OLICY 3TUDIES (E RECEIVED THE 3INGAPORE "USINESS !WARD AS THE /UTSTANDING #HIEF %XECUTIVE OF THE 9EAR IN FOR hHIS ENORMOUS ACHIEVEMENT IN CARVING FOR 0HILIPS 3INGAPORE A LEADING ROLE IN 0HILIPS WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS AMID THE WRENCHING CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRYv
-Y "ACKGROUND AT 0HILIPS OR A QUARTER CENTURY OF MY LIFE ) HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN AND VERY MUCH EXPOSED TO THE HARD AND HIGHLY PRESSURED WORLD OF BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY *OINING 0HILIPS IN WHEN ITS 3INGAPORE OPERATIONS WERE GENERATING A MODEST ANNUAL TURNOVER OF 3 MILLION ) BECAME ITS #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FlCER IN THE LAST DECADE OF THE MILLENNIUM AND WHEN ) RETIRED FROM 0HILIPS IN TURNOVER PEAKED AT ALMOST 3 BILLION %VEN MORE SATISFYING WAS THE FACT THAT IF THERE EVER WAS ANY COMPANY THAT COULD CLAIM TO TOUCH THE LIFE OF EVERYONE IN 3INGAPORE OR COMING IN TO 3INGAPORE CERTAINLY 0HILIPS COULD
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0OLAND /NE CAN IMAGINE MY INITIAL QUALMS AND MIXED FEELINGS WHEN ) WAS INVITED IN TO ACCEPT APPOINTMENT AS .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR TO 0OLAND ) WAS GLAD TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE MY COUNTRY BUT ) WAS NOT AT ALL SCHOOLED IN THE ART OF DIPLOMACY (AVING SPENT A LARGE PART OF MY LIFE IN THE HIGHLY CHARGED EXTREMELY STRESSFUL lERCELY COMPETITIVE IMPATIENT AND RESULT ORIENTED WORLD OF BUSINESS ) WAS NOT PREPARED FOR WHAT ) lRST THOUGHT TO BE A LIFE OF 'ERITOL PROTOCOL AND ALCOHOL AND A WORLD OF ENDLESS REPETITIVE DEBATES DISCUSSIONS AND RHETORICS ALBEIT PERFORMED WITH MUCH POMP AND lNESSE 7ITH GREAT TREPIDATION ) PLUNGED IN 3INGAPORE ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH 0OLAND IN 0OLAND LIKE OTHER #ENTRAL AND %ASTERN %UROPEAN #%% COUNTRIES IS KEEN TO ATTRACT &OREIGN $IRECT )NVESTMENT INmOWS AND PERCEIVES 3INGAPORE AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF INVESTMENTS /UR POLITICAL INTERESTS IN 0OLAND ARE TWO FOLD TO CULTIVATE AND MAINTAIN GOOD BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH 0OLAND AS A MEMBER OF THE %UROPEAN 5NION %5 AND TO WORK WITH 0OLAND TO PROMOTE A DEEPER %5 ENGAGEMENT WITH !SIA !S THE BIGGEST MEMBER OF THE NEW %5 STATES AND A DEMOGRAPHICALLY LARGE COUNTRY 0OLAND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO WIELD SOME INmUENCE IN THE %5 DECISION MAKING PROCESS /N *ANUARY ) PRESENTED MY CREDENTIALS TO 0OLISH 0RESIDENT !LEKSANDER +WASNIEWSKI $URING THE CUSTOMARY hFOUR EYESv MEETING WITH THE 0RESIDENT WHICH FOLLOWED WE BRIEmY TOUCHED ON A BROAD SWEEP OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD AND IN THE REGION 7E SUBSEQUENTLY FOCUSED ON MATTERS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIALISATION TECHNOLOGY AND AREAS OF POSSIBLE CO OPERATION 4HE FACT THAT THE 0RESIDENT PROBABLY KNEW OF MY BACKGROUND HELPED 4HE FACT THAT THE 0OLISH 0RESIDENT IS ONE WHO IS DEEPLY INTERESTED TO GET HIS COUNTRY TO PROGRESS AND INDUSTRIALISE TO DIVEST AND DIVERSIFY FROM THE LARGELY INEFlCIENT HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES AND TO EMBRACE ABSORB AND EXPLOIT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES ALSO HELPED
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(UMAN #APITAL AS THE +EY $RIVER FOR 'ROWTH ) TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUGGEST THAT CONVENTIONAL WISDOM WHICH ORDAINED THAT IN ORDER FOR COMPANIES NATIONS AND ECONOMIES TO SUCCEED THEY HAVE TO HAVE LOTS OF NATURAL RESOURCES PLENTY OF CAPITAL AND LOTS OF TECHNOLOGY AND PEOPLE WAS NO LONGER VALID ) EXPLAINED THAT WITH ADVANCES IN MATERIAL SCIENCES FOR EXAMPLE THERE CAN BE SUBSTITUTES FOR NATURAL RESOURCES ! RESOURCE RICH COUNTRY WAS NOT NECESSARILY A SUCCESSFUL ONE OR WOULD STAY SUCCESSFUL FOR THAT MATTER #APITAL mOWED TO WHEREVER GOOD WELL CONCEIVED AND WELL MANAGED BUSINESS PLANS OR VENTURES EXISTED ! BIG POPULATION HELPED AS A MARKET OR CONSUMPTION BASE BUT IT DID NOT NECESSARILY PROVIDE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES TO CREATE WEALTH BY PRODUCING GOODS AND SERVICES COST EFlCIENTLY UNLESS A CRITICAL MASS OF SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES EXISTED 4ECHNOLOGY ITSELF HAS BEEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN !LL HI TECH AND LOW TECH PRODUCTS WERE PRODUCED IN MASS VOLUMES BY HI TECH PROCESSES IN ORDER TO BE COMPETITIVE AND TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE 0ROCESSES MEAN SKILLS CUMULATIVE SKILLS AND SKILLS MEAN PEOPLE THE QUALITY OF THE PEOPLE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSCIOUSLY AND CONSISTENTLY NURTURED AND DEVELOPED TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL PEOPLE WHO ARE SKILLED NOT ONLY JUST TO EXECUTE BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY TO CREATIVELY INNOVATE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE AND PEOPLE TO CONCEIVE AND DEVELOP PRODUCTS SYSTEMS AND SERVICES AND COST EFlCIENT PROCESSES TO MANUFACTURE THESE PRODUCTS OR DEVELOP THESE SYSTEMS AND SERVICES (UMAN CAPITAL THEREFORE IS THE FUNDAMENTAL OF ALL FUNDAMENTALS AND THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE WHICH DRIVES ALL RESOURCES ) FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS WHY ) FOCUSED PASSIONATELY ON THIS STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE TO ENSURE THAT THE 0HILIPS OPERATIONS IN 3INGAPORE COULD SUCCESSFULLY AND CONTINUOUSLY MIGRATE UP THE TECHNOLOGICAL LADDER TO ATTRACT HIGHER VALUE OPERATIONS AND TO STAY AHEAD OF COMPETING ECONOMIES AND ORGANISATIONS 4HE SHORT MEETING LASTED LONGER THAN SCHEDULED 4HE 0RESIDENT EXPRESSED THE
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WISH FOR HIS MINISTERS TO VISIT 3INGAPORE AND THAT HE HIMSELF WOULD LIKE TO VISIT US WHEN HIS SCHEDULE PERMITTED
,ECTURE TO 0OLISH $IPLOMATIC !CADEMY )N A 1! SESSION FOLLOWING A LECTURE WHICH ) DELIVERED TO THE 0OLISH $IPLOMATIC !CADEMY DURING MY VISIT TO 7ARSAW IN -ARCH WE TOUCHED ON A RANGE OF SUBJECTS FROM 3INGAPORE -ALAYSIA BILATERAL RELATIONS THE STATE OF THE OPPOSITION IN 3INGAPORE #HINAS ROLE IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA REGIONAL INTEGRATION WITHIN !3%!. TO COMPLEMENTARITY BETWEEN AND AMONGST CORPORATIONS AND ECONOMIES 4HE CENTERPIECE WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE TWINNING OF THE hSISTERv OPERATIONS OF 0HILIPS IN 3INGAPORE AND 0OLAND AS AN EXAMPLE ) EXPLAINED THAT FROM 3INGAPORE WE DID THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF COLOUR TELEVISION AND DISPLAY SYSTEMS PROTOTYPING DEBUGGING INITIAL PROCESS AND PRODUCTION FAULTS BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO 0OLAND FOR MASS PRODUCTION 7E DID LIKEWISE FOR OUR #HINA OPERATIONS 4HE REASON WHY WE COULD DO ALL THESE WAS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF OUR STRATEGIC THRUST IN CONTINUOUSLY NURTURING HARNESSING AND UPDATING PROCESSES AND SKILLS TO ADAPT AND INNOVATE AND THE COMPETENCIES AND CAPACITIES NOT ONLY TO REACT BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY TO ANTICIPATE AND RESPOND TO NEW CHALLENGES AND TRENDS EVEN BEFORE THEY OCCURRED
"ILATERAL 6ISITS 4HEN 0RIME -INISTER 0- 'OH #HOK 4ONG MADE AN OFlCIAL VISIT TO 0OLAND IN -ARCH 4HIS HAS HELPED ENORMOUSLY TO RAISE THE PROlLE OF OUR ENGAGEMENT ) WAS VERY GRATEFUL FOR HIS VISIT &ORMER 3TATE 3ECRETARY OF THE -INISTRY OF %CONOMY "ERNARD "LASZCZKY LED A BUSINESS DELEGATION TO 3INGAPORE IN *ULY 4HIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE VISIT OF &OREIGN -INISTER 7LODZIMIERZ #IMOSZEWICZ IN !UGUST ,ATER #IMOSZEWICZ BECAME 3PEAKER OF 0ARLIAMENT 3EJM IN -ARCH 4HERE WERE ALSO VISITS BY FORMER 0- ,ESZEL -ILLER AND
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0OLISH 0RESIDENT !LEKSANDER +WASNIEWSKI #URRENT 0- ,EE (SIEN ,OONG MET THE NEW 0OLISH 0- -AREK "ELKA AT THE LATTERS REQUEST ON THE SIDELINES OF THE !3%- 6 3UMMIT IN (ANOI LAST /CTOBER AND "ELKA AGAIN MET 0- ,EE DURING A STOPOVER VISIT TO 3INGAPORE IN *ANUARY
4RIBUTE TO *OSEPH #ONRAD 3ENIOR -INISTER 3- 'OH #HOK 4ONG DID SOMETHING WHICH HAS TOUCHED MANY 0OLISH HEARTS (E FOUND OUT THAT THE GREAT WRITER *OSEPH #ONRAD WAS ACTUALLY 0OLISH BY ORIGIN #ONRAD HAD SPENT ABOUT lVE YEARS AS A "RITISH SEAMAN NAVIGATING THE WATERS OF )NDONESIA 3INGAPORE AND 4HAILAND 3INGAPORE WAS HIS BASE AND HE WOULD COLLECT HIS MAIL FROM THE 'ENERAL 0OST /FlCE NOW THE &ULLERTON (OTEL 3- 'OH AND FORMER 0- ,ESZEL -ILLER AGREED TO PUT UP A PLAQUE TO HONOUR *OSEPH #ONRAD 4HE PLAQUE IS SITED IN FRONT OF THE &ULLERTON (OTEL AND WAS UNVEILED BY 0RESIDENT AND -RS +WASNIEWSKI ON &EBRUARY )N *ANUARY THIS YEAR WHEN 0- -AREK "ELKA TRANSITED 3INGAPORE HE AND HIS WIFE PLACED mOWERS IN FRONT OF THE PLAQUE TO HONOUR #ONRAD
0OLISH 3UPPORT FOR 3INGAPORE (AVING STRUCK THE RIGHT CHORD WE ENJOYED THE EXTENSIVE SUPPORT OF 0OLAND IN INTERNATIONAL FORA 7E SOUGHT AND OBTAINED THEIR UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR OUR )NTERNATIONAL #IVIL !VIATION /RGANISATION )#!/ CANDIDATURE IN AND )N FACT WHEN ) MET FORMER &OREIGN -INISTER #IMOSZEWICZ LITERALLY ALONG THE CORRIDOR IN HIS -INISTRY IN 7ARSAW AS HE WAS THEN LEAVING FOR AN %5 MEETING IN "RUSSELS HE PROMISED THAT HE WOULD SPEAK TO HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE #ABINET TO SUPPORT OUR CANDIDATURE 4HEY SUPPORTED OUR BID TO HOST THE 7ORLD "ANK)-& MEETING IN 3INGAPORE IN 4HEY ALSO SUPPORTED 3INGAPORES ELECTION TO THE )NTERNATIONAL -ARITIME
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/RGANISATION )-/ #OUNCIL IN .OVEMBER 3INGAPORES CANDIDATURE TO THE #OMMITTEE ON THE %LIMINATION OF $ISCRIMINATION AGAINST 7OMEN #%$!7 IN !UGUST AS WELL AS OUR CANDIDATURE TO THE 5NIVERSAL 0OSTAL 5NION 505 0OSTAL /PERATIONS #OUNCIL IN 3EPTEMBER
#ONCLUSION 4HE LESSON ) LEARNT IS THIS WHILST IT CERTAINLY HELPS TO BE SCHOOLED IN THE ART AND PROFESSION OF DIPLOMACY THE LACK OF PRIOR EXPOSURE IS NOT AN IMPEDIMENT 7HAT IS IMPORTANT IS FOR ONE TO TAKE ADEQUATE COGNIZANCE OF THE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT THE POLITICS AND CONDITIONS OF THE COUNTRY TO WHICH ONE IS ACCREDITED UNDERSTAND THEIR WISHES AND ASPIRATIONS THEIR NATIONAL AGENDA THE BROADER PERSPECTIVES AND INJECT RELEVANCE AND VALUE TO THE DISCUSSIONS AND DIALOGUES WITH THE RELEVANT -INISTRIES AND !GENCIES ADAPTING AND APPLYING ONES KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WHEN APPROPRIATE AND CALLED FOR AS ONE GOES ALONG TO GAIN CREDIBILITY AND ACCEPTANCE -Y EXPERIENCE IS THAT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT OUR COUNTERPARTS DO ACCEPT AND APPRECIATE FORTHRIGHT AND WELL THOUGHT THROUGH VIEWS AND OPINIONS
6ICTOR ,OHINDD
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$RINKING THE 7INE OF +INGS (AVING A +ING FOR A &RIEND -R .' 3ER -IANG 3INGAPORES .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR TO THE 2EPUBLIC OF (UNGARY AND THE +INGDOM OF .ORWAY IS ALSO THE #HAIRMAN OF 4)"3 )NTERNATIONAL 0TE ,TD (E IS A -EMBER OF THE )NTERNATIONAL /LYMPIC #OMMITTEE THE )/#S "EIJING /LYMPIC 'AMES #OORDINATION #OMMISSION AND THE )/# 'AMES %VALUATION #OMMISSION 5NTIL *ANUARY HE WAS A .OMINATED -EMBER OF THE 3INGAPORE 0ARLIAMENT !MONG HIS OTHER APPOINTMENTS ARE #HAIRMAN OF THE .ATIONAL 4RADES 5NION #ONGRESS #HOICE (OMES #O OPERATIVE ,TD #HAIRMAN OF .ETWORK #HINA AND -EMBER OF THE !SIA 0ACIlC %CONOMIC #OOPERATION !0%# "USINESS !DVISORY #OUNCIL (E IS A &ELLOW OF THE #HARTERED )NSTITUTE OF 4RANSPORT &#)4 )N HE FOUNDED 4)"3 THE SECOND BUS COMPANY IN 3INGAPORE UNTIL ITS MERGER WITH 3-24 IN (E SERVES AS $IRECTOR OF SEVERAL PUBLICLY LISTED AND PRIVATE COMPANIES 4HE 3INGAPORE 'OVERNMENT CONFERRED ON HIM THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE 3TAR IN
(OW (UNGARY AND .ORWAY (AVE %NRICHED -Y ,IFE WAS APPOINTED !MBASSADOR TO THE 2EPUBLIC OF (UNGARY IN AND AS !MBASSADOR TO THE +INGDOM OF .ORWAY IN 4HEN ) HAD LITTLE EXPERIENCE AND NO TRAINING IN THE ART AND SKILL OF STATE TO STATE DIPLOMACY )T WAS LIKE BEING THROWN INTO THE DEEP END OF THE POOL AND TOLD h7E KNOW THAT YOU CAN SWIM .OW SWIMv 3WIM ) DID LIKE MANY .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADORS .2!S BEFORE ME 7E SWAM WITH CONlDENCE BECAUSE WE KNEW THERE WERE LIFEGUARDS AND BUOYANCY JACKETS SHOULD WE NEED THEM 4HEY WERE OUR -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS $IRECTORATE AND THE TALENTED AND DIPLOMATICALLY SAVVY DESK OFlCERS 4HEY GAVE ALL OF US OUTSTANDING SUPPORT 7E THE .2!S ARE A FORTUNATE BUNCH 7E ARE USUALLY ACCREDITED TO COUNTRIES THAT HAVE GOOD BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH 3INGAPORE /UR MAIN TASK IS TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN THE HARMONIOUS POLITICAL AND
)
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DIPLOMATIC RELATIONSHIP "UILDING ON SUCH A lRM BASE WE STRIVE TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC TIES BY ENCOURAGING TRADE AND INVESTMENT $EPENDING ON OUR OWN BACKGROUND AND AREA OF EXPERTISE OR INTEREST WE ENDEAVOUR TO ADD NEW DIMENSIONS AND DEPTH TO THE BILATERAL TIES &OR ME MY LIFELONG INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT IN SPORTS HAVE BEEN REALLY HELPFUL -Y SPORTING CREDENTIALS HAVE OPENED DOORS OFFERED ENGAGING TALKING POINTS AND EASED MY ENTRY INTO DIVERSE DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES 7HEN MY YEARS AS A COMPETITIVE SAILOR WERE OVER ) CHANNELLED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE SEA AND SPORT TO A LESS PHYSICAL BUT NO LESS CHALLENGING SERIES OF hREGATTASv ) SERVED AS 0RESIDENT OF THE 3INGAPORE 9ACHTING !SSOCIATION NOW RE ENERGISED AS THE 3INGAPORE 3AILING &EDERATION AND THEN #HAIRMAN OF THE 3INGAPORE 3PORTS #OUNCIL AND 6ICE 0RESIDENT OF THE 3INGAPORE .ATIONAL /LYMPIC #OMMITTEE
!S "REATHLESS AS AN !THLETE IN !CTION "EFORE LONG ) DISCOVERED QUICKLY THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION IN THE GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS 4HAT ) WAS THRILLED TO NOTE WAS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS MANAGING AND DIRECTING SPORTS AT A NATIONAL LEVEL )N THE GLOBAL ARENA IT WAS FASCINATING !ND IT CAN MAKE YOU AS BREATHLESS AS AN ATHLETE IN THE HEAT OF COMPETITION )N ) WAS ELECTED 6ICE 0RESIDENT OF THE )NTERNATIONAL 3AILING &EDERATION )3!& AND IN A MEMBER OF THE )NTERNATIONAL /LYMPIC #OMMITTEE )/# !S THE )/# MEMBER IN 3INGAPORE ) AM DE FACTO THE )/#S !MBASSADOR TO 3INGAPORE ) HAD TO QUICKLY LEARN THE CUT AND THRUST OF INTERNATIONAL SPORTS POLITICS ) LEARNT TOO THAT UNLIKE A RACE A GAME OR ONE TO ONE COMBAT AS IN FENCING WINNING WAS NOT THE ENDGAME IN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS DIPLOMACY 4HE ART OF WIN WIN COMPROMISE THE CONSIDERATION AND INCLUSION OF THE OTHER POINT OF VIEW LED US TO GREATER VICTORY AND GLORY
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4HEN ) WAS APPOINTED .2! TO TWO COUNTRIES ) MADE MORE DISCOVERIES ) LEARNT THAT SPORTS WAS NOT JUST FOR ATHLETES AND SPECTATORS )NTERNATIONAL SPORTS WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY !ND HEY ) ALSO DISCOVERED THAT ) WAS NOT SUCH A DIPLOMATIC GREENHORN AFTER ALL -Y WORK IN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ORGANISATIONS HAD GIVEN ME AT LEAST "ASIC $IPLOMATIC 4RAINING ) HAD ALREADY LEARNT THAT WHILE 3INGAPORE WAS A SMALL COUNTRY SHE WAS OFTEN FEATURED PROMINENTLY AND YIELDED CONSIDERABLE INmUENCE IN CERTAIN AREAS AND SITUATIONS 3INGAPORE ) NOW KNOW IS EQUALLY WELL ENDOWED IN RELATIONS AND INTERACTIONS WITH THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD
(IGHLIGHTS TO ,IVE &OR 4HE HIGHLIGHT OF MY TOUR SO FAR AS !MBASSADOR TO .ORWAY IS THE STATE VISIT OF (IS -AJESTY +ING (ARALD AND (ER -AJESTY 1UEEN 3ONIA TO 3INGAPORE IN .OVEMBER 4HEIR VISIT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS 7ITHOUT A DOUBT IT BROUGHT THE WARM AND CLOSE RELATIONS BETWEEN .ORWAY AND 3INGAPORE TO AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL (IS -AJESTY IS AN AVID AND SUCCESSFUL SAILOR HAVING CAMPAIGNED AT THE /LYMPIC 'AMES AND MANY OTHER PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS AND REGATTAS (IS -AJESTY IS ALSO THE (ONORARY 0RESIDENT OF )NTERNATIONAL 3AILING &EDERATION ) HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOUR OF WORKING WITH HIM AND GETTING TO KNOW HIM PERSONALLY WHEN ) WAS 6ICE 0RESIDENT OF THE 3AILING &EDERATION !S A RESULT ) WAS ABLE TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE PROGRAMME WITHIN THE OFlCIAL ITINERARY ON A hFELLOW SAILORv BASIS ) BELIEVE 4HEIR -AJESTIES ENJOYED THE PRIVATE PROGRAMME WHICH HELPED TO MAKE THEIR VISIT TO 3INGAPORE MORE MEMORABLE )N THEN 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG MADE A STATE VISIT TO (UNGARY 4HAT VISIT UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANT RELATIONS BETWEEN (UNGARY AND 3INGAPORE 7HILE WE SEE OURSELVES AS THE GATEWAY TO !SIA (UNGARY VIEWS HERSELF AS THE GATEWAY TO #ENTRAL AND %ASTERN %UROPE (UNGARY WAS ALSO ON THE VERGE OF GAINING ACCESSION TO THE %UROPEAN 5NION 4HE VISIT WAS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL AND WAS
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FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF HIGH LEVEL VISITS TO 3INGAPORE BY A NUMBER OF (UNGARIAN DELEGATIONS 7E ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE VISIT IN *ULY BY (UNGARIAN 0RIME -INISTER &ERENC 'YURCSANY
(OW .2!S $O )T ) HAVE OFTEN BEEN ASKED HOW AS AN .2! ) KEEP UP WITH THE WORK OF THE TWO EMBASSIES 4HE ANSWER IS BOTH SIMPLE AND GRATIFYING 3INGAPORE IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE OUTSTANDING (ONORARY #ONSULS 'ENERAL IN BOTH (UNGARY AND .ORWAY 4HEY ARE OUR EYES AND EARS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES -ORE THAN THAT THEY PROVIDE THE hHEARTWAREv IN PEOPLE TO PEOPLE CONTACTS ) TAKE GREAT PLEASURE IN ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF $R *OSEPH 4OTH IN (UNGARY AND -R 3VEIN !SSER AND HIS PREDECESSOR -R +ONKOLY 4HEGE IN .ORWAY 4HIS BRINGS ME TO THE SERENDIPITY THAT HAS SURROUNDED MY INDUCTION INTO DIPLOMACY IN THE SERVICE OF MY COUNTRY 4HE EXPERIENCE ) GAINED SERVING AS !MBASSADOR HAS HELPED GREATLY IN MY ROLE AS )/# MEMBER AND GIVEN ME A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPORTS POLITICS )T REALLY HELPED WHEN ) CHAIRED THE "ID #OMMITTEE TO LOBBY FOR THE HOSTING OF THE TH 3ESSION OF THE )NTERNATIONAL /LYMPIC #OMMITTEE 3INGAPORE WON THE BID .OW IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO CHAIR THE 3INGAPORE /RGANISING #OMMITTEE FOR THE 3ESSION #OME *ULY )/# MEMBERS WILL GATHER IN 3INGAPORE FOR THE SESSION THAT WILL PICK THE HOST COUNTRY FOR THE /LYMPIC 'AMES AND DECIDE ON THE SPORTS PROGRAMME &IVE OF THE GREATEST AND MOST GLAMOROUS CITIES 0ARIS .EW 9ORK -OSCOW ,ONDON AND -ADRID ARE lGHTING FOR THE HONOUR (EADS OF 3TATE AND (EADS OF 'OVERNMENT WILL BE IN 3INGAPORE TO SUPPORT THEIR CITIES
7HAT A "IRTHDAY 'IFT FOR 3INGAPORE 4HE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA WILL lELD OVER JOURNALISTS TO COVER THE EVENT -ORE THAN A BILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD ARE EXPECTED TO
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WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNER OVER A LIVE TELECAST 3INGAPORE WILL BE THE CENTRE OF THE WORLD THAT DAY 4O ME THE BENElTS FOR 3INGAPORE WILL GO BEYOND THE ECONOMICS )T WILL BE A UNIQUE AND lTTING BIRTHDAY PRESENT INDEED ON THE OCCASION OF OUR NATIONS TH !NNIVERSARY THIS !UGUST 4HE ROLE OF AN .2! IS A UNIQUE ONE 7HILE WE REPRESENT OUR COUNTRY AS !MBASSADOR WE CONTINUE OUR OWN WORK OR PROFESSION 7E CARRY OUT DIPLOMATIC WORK IN THE COUNTRY TO WHICH WE ARE ACCREDITED AS WELL AS IN 3INGAPORE AND SOMETIMES EVEN AS WE TRAVEL TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD OR WHILE PURSUING OUR OTHER WORK )T IS AN HONOUR TO SERVE AS A .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH THE EXCEPTIONAL TEAM OF MEN AND WOMEN AT THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS 4O THEM ) PROPOSE A TOAST 7HAT WITH .ATURALLY WITH (UNGARYS CHILLED 4OKAI RENOWNED AS THE h+ING OF 7INEv AND THE h7INE OF +INGSv !ND ) AM BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO CALL ON A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND TO JOIN IN THE TOAST (IS -AJESTY THE +ING OF .ORWAY 3KOL
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2UMINATIONS OF A .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR -S 0!.' #HENG ,IAN IS 3PECIAL !SSISTANT TO THE #HAIRMAN OF 5NITED /VERSEAS "ANK ! 0OLITICAL 3CIENCE GRADUATE OF 3INGAPORE 5NIVERSITY NOW KNOWN AS THE .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE SHE HAS WORKED AS A 2ESEARCH /FlCER FOR THE FORMER -INISTRY OF )NTERIOR $EFENCE A #OLUMNIST ,EADER 7RITER FOR THE .EW .ATION AND AS !SSISTANT $IRECTOR 3INGAPORE -ANUFACTURERS !SSOCIATION 3HE HAS BEEN THE #HAIRMAN OF &ILMS !PPEALS #OMMITTEE SINCE AND SERVES ON THE "OARDS OF ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING 3INGAPORE ,AND SINCE 5NITED )NDUSTRIAL #ORPORATION SINCE 3INGAPORE )NTERNATIONAL &OUNDATION SINCE AND #HINESE (ERITAGE #ENTRE SINCE 3HE JOINED THE &OREIGN 3ERVICE AS .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR TO )TALY ON -ARCH &ROM &EBRUARY TO *ANUARY SHE WAS CONCURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO 3WITZERLAND
HE #HINESE SAYING hKE YU BU KE QIUv ৄℇϢৄ∗ TEACHES THAT MUCH OF LIFES LONG JOURNEY OCCURS THROUGH HAPPENSTANCE AND NOT BECAUSE OF PERSONAL CHOICE -Y ASSOCIATION WITH THE &OREIGN -INISTRY WOULD SEEM TO BEAR THIS OUT 7AY BACK IN WHEN ) GRADUATED FROM THE 3INGAPORE 5NIVERSITY AND HAD TO START SERVING MY BURSARY BOND WITH THE 'OVERNMENT ) INFORMED THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE #OMMISSION 03# THAT MY lRST CHOICE WAS THE &OREIGN -INISTRY 4HE 03# IN ITS INlNITE WISDOM DECIDED ) WAS NOT CUT OUT FOR THE FOREIGN SERVICE AND POSTED ME TO THE THEN -INISTRY OF #ULTURE #OINCIDENTALLY A FELLOW 0OLITICAL 3CIENCE GRADUATE WHO HAD ASKED FOR THE #ULTURE -INISTRY WAS POSTED TO THE &OREIGN -INISTRY INSTEAD
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4HIRD 4IME ,UCKY 4HREE MONTHS LATER ) DECIDED TO RETURN TO UNIVERSITY TO DO MY -ASTERS IN 0OLITICAL 3CIENCE 7HEN ) COMPLETED MY BASIC RESEARCH A YEAR
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LATER ) AGAIN APPLIED TO JOIN THE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS 4HIS TIME ) WAS ACCEPTED "UT ONE WEEK BEFORE ) WAS DUE TO START WORK ) WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CHANGE OF PLANS AND ) WOULD BE POSTED TO THE -INISTRY OF THE )NTERIOR AND $EFENCE INSTEAD 3O FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS ) FAILED TO JOIN THE FOREIGN SERVICE !S FATE WOULD HAVE IT YEARS AND FOUR JOBS LATER ) lNALLY GOT MY FOOT THROUGH THE DOOR WHEN ) WAS INVITED TO SERVE AS A h2OVING !MBASSADORv ) SHOULD ADD THAT THERE WAS GENERAL RELIEF WHEN THE TITLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED TO .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR .2! -Y FELLOW .2!S HAD ALL FELT THAT THE TERM hROVINGv CONJURED IMAGES OF HOMELESS AMBASSADORS WANDERING ALL OVER THE WORLD 4HE APPOINTMENTS WERE ALL THE SWEETER BECAUSE ) WAS GIVEN )TALY AND 3WITZERLAND !T A RECEPTION SHORTLY AFTER -INISTER "' 'EORGE 9EO THEN IN THE -INISTRY OF )NFORMATION THE !RTS WAS ASKED WHY ) HAD BEEN GIVEN SUCH hNICEv COUNTRIES (IS IMMEDIATE RESPONSE THAT hSHE IS A NICE PERSONv WAS MUSIC TO MY EARS ALTHOUGH ) SUSPECT THAT FOR ONCE MY GENDER HAD WORKED IN MY FAVOUR 4HE FUN PART ABOUT BEING AN .2! IS THE ARRAY OF HONORIlCS THAT FRIENDS MEET YOU WITH ) HAVE HAD PEOPLE ADDRESSING ME AS h9OUR (ONOURv h9OUR (IGHNESSv AND ONCE AS h9OUR -AJESTYv
2ATIONALE FOR 0ART TIME !MBASSADORS 4HE MORE DIFlCULT PART WAS EXPLAINING TO PEOPLE IN MY ACCREDITED COUNTRIES WHY AFmUENT 3INGAPORE DOES NOT HAVE A MISSION IN 2OME OR "ERNE AND WHY 3INGAPORE HAS PART TIME AMBASSADORS 4HE )TALIANS AND 3WISS ARE GENERALLY EMPATHETIC WHEN IT IS EXPLAINED THAT 3INGAPORES SMALL POPULATION BASE PREVENTS IT FROM HAVING THE LUXURY OF KEEPING A LARGE FOREIGN SERVICE 3OME HAVE EVEN CONlDED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO REDUCE THEIR OVERSEAS MISSIONS AND ADOPT THE 3INGAPORE SYSTEM IF THEY COULD !ND ) WAS VISITING 2OME SO OFTEN IN MY lRST TWO YEARS AS .2! THAT THE HEAD OF THE !SIAN
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DESK IN THE )TALIAN &OREIGN -INISTRY REMARKED THAT HE WAS SEEING MORE OF ME THAN SOME OF THE OTHER RESIDENT AMBASSADORS 4HE DIPLOMATS ARE TOO POLITE TO ASK BUT SOME OF MY GOOD FRIENDS ARE MORE FORTHRIGHT (OW DOES 3INGAPORE PRODUCE hINSTANTv AMBASSADORS WHO CONTINUE TO HOLD THEIR OTHER FULL TIME PROFESSIONS
h)NSTANT !MBASSADORSv )N MY CASE CREDIT MUST GO TO TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE &IRST ) HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO HAVE THE DOYEN OF .2!S !MBASSADOR ,EE #HIONG 'IAM FOR &IJI AS MENTOR AND TEACHER #HIONG 'IAM WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO INDUCT THE lVE .2!S MYSELF THE LATE #HARLIE 0HUA "RIAN ,EE 4AN +AH (OE AND ,EE 9ING #HUEN WHEN WE WERE APPOINTED IN 4O INTRODUCE US TO THE WORLD OF DIPLOMACY HE PRESENTED EACH OF US WITH A BOOK ON INTERNATIONAL LAW )N HIS INIMITABLE STYLE AND PROSE 3INGAPORES lRST .2! TOOK THE TROUBLE TO PROVIDE PRIVATE TUITION ON DIPLOMACY )N BETWEEN DISCOURSES ON CONDUCT APPROPRIATE TO AMBASSADORS #HIONG 'IAM WOULD REGALE US WITH HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN THE SERVICE 7HENEVER WE SUFFERED FROM COLD FEET #HIONG 'IAM WOULD ASSURE US h.OT TO WORRY 4HE DIFlCULT PART IS GETTING APPOINTED $OING THE JOB IS THE EASY PARTv
4RIBUTE TO $ESK /FlCERS 4HE SECOND GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ENSURE THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE .2!S ARE THE YOUNG BRIGHT AND ENERGETIC DESK OFlCERS WHO COMBINE THE ROLES OF RESOURCE PERSONS NOTE TAKERS TRAVEL AGENTS ACCOUNTANTS AND SECRETARIES 7AY BEFORE THE .2! MAKES A REPRESENTATIONAL VISIT THE DESK OFlCER STARTS PREPARING THE WORKING lLE 4HEN THERE ARE mIGHTS AND HOTELS TO BE CONlRMED AND MEETINGS TO BE ARRANGED 5PON ARRIVAL
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THEY HAVE TO RECONlRM MEETINGS AND TAKE NOTES OF DISCUSSIONS /N OUR RETURN THEY HAVE TO PUT UP THE REPORTS OF THE VISIT AND WORK OUT THE REIMBURSEMENTS FOR THE TRIP 4HESE ARE TRULY THE UNSUNG HEROES AND HEROINES OF THE .2! SYSTEM %VERY TRAVELLING COMPANION HAS A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY ) REMEMBER ONE OFlCER WITH A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF SECURITY WHO DECIDED TO KEEP HER PASSPORT IN A WAIST POUCH HIDDEN BENEATH HER PANTS 7E HAD TO URGENTLY LOOK FOR A LADIES ROOM WHEN THE SECURITY GUARD AT THE )TALIAN -INISTRY INSISTED ON CHECKING ON OUR PASSPORTS 4HEN THERE WAS THE lLIAL OFlCER WHO BOUGHT SOUVENIRS NOT ONLY FOR HIS MOTHER AND AUNTS BUT ALSO FOR HIS FUTURE MOTHER IN LAW "UT WITHOUT EXCEPTION ALL DESK OFlCERS HAVE HIGH EMOTIONAL QUOTIENTS %1S AND HAVE MADE MY REPRESENTATIONAL VISITS ALL THE MORE INTERESTING )T IS SAID THAT TRAVEL BROADENS THE MIND ) WOULD ADD THAT TRAVEL AS AN .2! ADDS IMMEASURABLE DEPTH TO ONES KNOWLEDGE OF A COUNTRY 7E ARE NOT EXPECTED IN THE WORDS OF POET 7 ( $AVIES hTO SEE WHEN WOODS WE PASS WHERE SQUIRRELS HIDE THEIR NUTS IN GRASSv BUT .2!S ARE EXPECTED TO SEE BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS AND MUSEUMS OF THEIR COUNTRIES OF ACCREDITATION "ESIDES MAKING OUR SMALL CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS BILATERAL TIES AND COOPERATIVE EFFORTS .2!S ARE EXPECTED TO FEEL THE PULSE OF THESE COUNTRIES AND TO SEE HOW 3INGAPORE CAN LEARN FROM THEIR SUCCESS
3WITZERLAND 4HE ECONOMIC SUCCESS OF 3WITZERLAND AND THE HIGH LIVING STANDARDS OF THE 3WISS HAVE LONG BEEN MODELS OF EMULATION FOR 3INGAPORE ) BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALSO VALUABLE LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM THE 3WISS IN OUR CURRENT SEARCH FOR EFFECTIVE WAYS TO MAINTAIN OUR BONDS WITH 3INGAPOREANS LIVING OVERSEAS AS WELL AS TO EMPOWER OUR YOUNGER 3INGAPOREANS TO SHOULDER MORE CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES 7HILE THE 3WISS ALLOW DUAL CITIZENSHIPS FOR THEIR PEOPLE THEY ALSO WORK VERY HARD TO STRENGTHEN THEIR BONDS WITH THE 3WISS
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OVERSEAS 4HERE IS AN /RGANISATION OF THE 3WISS !BROAD /3! IN "ERNE WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN TO HELP 3WISS LIVING OVERSEAS TO MAINTAIN THEIR LINKS WITH THEIR HOMELAND 3UPPORTED BY ABOUT 3WISS EXPATRIATE ASSOCIATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD /3! IS GOVERNED BY A #OUNCIL COMPRISING 3WISS LIVING IN THE COUNTRY AND OVERSEAS 4HE #OUNCIL MEETS TWICE A YEAR WHILE AN /3! CONGRESS IS HELD ONCE A YEAR HOSTED BY DIFFERENT CANTONS )N VIEW OF OUR EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE THE MANY 3INGAPOREANS ABROAD TO KEEP THEIR LINKS WITH THE NATION PERHAPS WE SHOULD CONSIDER HAVING OUR OWN /3! /RGANISATION OF THE 3INGAPOREANS !BROAD
3T 'ALLENS )NTERNATIONAL 3YMPOSIUM 4HE 3WISS IN THE UNIVERSITY TOWN OF 3T 'ALLEN ) HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED HAVE FOUND AN UNUSUAL WAY TO TRAIN THEIR YOUTHS &OR THREE DAYS IN -AY EVERY YEAR THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3T 'ALLEN ORGANISES A SYMPOSIUM FOR UNDERGRADUATES INVITED FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD "UT WHAT DISTINGUISHES THE 3T 'ALLEN 3YMPOSIUM IS THE FACT THAT IT IS VIRTUALLY ORGANISED BY THE STUDENT BODY !N ORGANISING COMMITTEE MADE UP MOSTLY OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS MAKE EXPLORATORY VISITS TO THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE GLOBE TO SECURE SPEAKERS SPONSORS AND STUDENT PARTICIPATION -ANY OF THEM TAKE A SABBATICAL FROM THEIR STUDIES TO ORGANISE THE EVENT %VERY YEAR THESE EARNEST YOUNG 3WISS MANAGE TO INVITE DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS RANGING FROM MINISTERS TO CHAIRMEN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFlCERS OF MAJOR CORPORATIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD /THER STUDENTS VOLUNTEER AS CHAUFFEURS TO PICK UP AND SEND OFF THE 6)0S FROM THE NEAREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT :URICH ABOUT AN HOURS DRIVE AWAY 3TILL OTHER STUDENTS OFFER THEIR HOMES FOR THE TO OVERSEAS PARTICIPANTS OR HELP TO MAN THE RECEPTION AND DINING HALLS
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)N SHORT THE 3T 'ALLEN )NTERNATIONAL 3YMPOSIUM IS AN EVENT ORGANISED BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS !N )3# &OUNDATION PROVIDES SEED MONEY AND SECRETARIAT SERVICES BETWEEN SYMPOSIUMS BUT IT GENERALLY TAKES A BACK SEAT DURING THE EVENT 7ITH SO MANY TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OPERATING IN 3INGAPORE ) HOPE THAT WE WILL ONE DAY SEE AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ORGANISED ALONG SIMILAR LINES
)TALY )TALY MY OTHER hNICEv COUNTRY IS BETTER KNOWN FOR ITS MAGNIlCENT CHURCHES WELL ENDOWED ART MUSEUMS AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND RUINS )TS PEOPLE ARE ADMIRED FOR THEIR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DESIGN mAIR AS MUCH AS FOR THEIR WARM AND FRIENDLY NATURE 7HAT IS LESS KNOWN IS THAT )TALY IS 4(% COUNTRY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES 3-%S /VER OF )TALIAN COMPANIES ARE 3-%S DElNED AS ENTERPRISES EMPLOYING LESS THAN PEOPLE )T IS THESE 3-%S WHICH HAVE PROPELLED THE )TALIAN ECONOMY AND MADE THE COUNTRY A MAJOR GLOBAL EXPORTER
3TRENGTH OF 3-%S ! STUDY TOUR OF THE %MILIA 2OMAGNA REGION ORGANISED BY THE )TALIAN &OREIGN -INISTRY IN PROVIDED AN INVALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THE SURVIVAL SUCCESS OF THE 3-%S ! POINT THAT WAS REPEATEDLY EMPHASISED DURING THE TOUR MADE BY THE !3%!. AMBASSADORS WAS THAT THE REGIONS 3-%S HAVE GROWN AND DEVELOPED ON A hCLUSTERv BASIS )NSTEAD OF CREATING HUGE FACTORIES WHICH PRODUCE EVERYTHING REQUIRED FOR A PARTICULAR ITEM )TALIAN COMPANIES CONCENTRATE ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND SPECIALISATIONS 4HE OUTPUT OF SUCH
4HE )NTERNATIONAL 3TUDENTS #OMMITTEE )3# IS A NON PROlT ORGANISATION WHICH COMPRISES AN ANNUALLY CHANGING TEAM OF APPROXIMATELY STUDENTS FROM THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3T 'ALLEN AND (ARVARD 5NIVERSITY
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CLUSTERS OF 3-%S IS THEN ASSEMBLED IN A FACTORY 7E WERE TOLD AT THE &ERRARI AND -ASERATI FACTORIES THAT THEY RELY ON ABOUT SUPPLIERS FOR THE COMPONENTS OF THEIR HIGH PERFORMANCE CARS 6ERY OFTEN BOTH COMPANIES USE THE SAME SUPPLIERS WHO WOULD MAKE THE PRODUCTS BASED ON GIVEN SPECIlCATIONS 4O ENSURE THAT PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES ARE CONSTANTLY UPGRADED THE 3-%S IN THE REGION HAVE JOINTLY SET UP ASSOCIATIONS WHOSE FUNCTION IS TO TEST INNOVATIONS AND NEW WORKmOWS 7E WERE GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND THAT A STUDY ON THE CLUSTER CONCEPT WAS BEING CONDUCTED FOR )NDIA )N OUR EFFORTS TO DEVELOP 3INGAPORE 3-%S PERHAPS WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE )TALIAN MODEL
!SPECTS OF )TALIAN #USTOMS !S .2! TO )TALY ) HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT ONE MUST NEVER NEVER TRY TO SEAT PERSONS AT A TABLE /N ONE OCCASION ) HAD GUESTS FOR DINNER -Y )TALIAN GUESTS POLITELY BUT lRMLY INSISTED ON HAVING TWO SEPARATE TABLES ) WAS DISCREETLY TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RISK AS THEY WERE TAKING A mIGHT HOME TO 2OME IMMEDIATELY AFTER DINNER ) HAVE ALSO LEARNT THAT ALTHOUGH WE ARE TOLD TO DO AS THE 2OMANS DO WHILE IN 2OME 2OMANS ARE ACTUALLY A RARE BREED IN )TALY /NLY THOSE WHO HAVE RESIDED IN THE )TALIAN CAPITAL FOR SEVEN GENERATIONS ARE CONSIDERED TRULY 2OMAN
!N %NRICHING %XPERIENCE ! HOROSCOPE CAST BY AN ASTROLOGER IN THE S HAD UNCANNILY PREDICTED THAT AT MY LIFE WOULD START A NEW AND EXCITING CHAPTER ,OOKING BACK ON THE EIGHT YEARS AS .2! TO )TALY AND lVE YEARS AS .2! TO 3WITZERLAND ) WOULD SAY THAT JOINING THE WORLD OF DIPLOMACY HAS BEEN AN ENRICHING EXPERIENCE
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"ESIDES THE ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND GOOD FRIENDS THAT ) HAVE ACQUIRED ANOTHER hHIGHv FROM BEING AN .2! IS DERIVED FROM BEING PART OF A CONCERTED EFFORT TO PUT 3INGAPORE ON THE WORLD STAGE 7HETHER IT BE TO GARNER SUPPORT FOR PLAYING HOST TO THE )-&7ORLD "ANK MEETINGS IN OR FOR OUR CANDIDATURES AT VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS IT WAS GRATIFYING TO KNOW THAT THE REPRESENTATIONAL VISITS ACHIEVED POSITIVE RESULTS 5NDOUBTEDLY SUCH SUPPORT IS BASED ON EACH COUNTRYS PRIVATE INTEREST AND SOME HORSE TRADING AS WELL NEVERTHELESS ) lND PERSONAL SATISFACTION TO BE A MEMBER OF THE WINNING TEAM 3O WHILE ) AM NOT IN A POSITION TO ADVISE ON HOW ONE CAN GO ABOUT BEING APPOINTED ) WOULD CERTAINLY RECOMMEND THAT IF INVITED ONE SHOULD GO FOR IT
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A Businessman in Diplomacy Mr. Gopinath PILLAI is a businessman with investments in education, logistics and information technology. He is Chairman of a port-related logistics company listed in India, Gateway Distriparks Ltd., and a Director of a listed education company in London, AEC Education Plc. He has been Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Iran since 1990. He is the Chairman of the Management Board of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS); Director of the National Heritage Board (NHB); Director of NTUC Choice Homes Co-operative Ltd.; as well as Deputy Chairman of Ang Mo Kio Hospital Ltd. His previous appointments include Singapore’s High Commissioner to Pakistan; Chairman of NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Ltd.; Trustee of NTUC Healthcare Co-operative Ltd.; and President of the National University of Singapore Society. He is the recipient of several notable honours and awards.
M
y business career meandered into diplomacy through the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs where I had served as a resource person in the eighties. The then Chairman of the Committee, Chandra Das, mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was considering a new scheme of “Roving Ambassadors” and asked whether I would be interested. I responded positively as I had an abiding interest in world affairs particularly in West and South Asia. The next step was to meet Foreign Minister Wong Kan Seng who explained the new concept and indicated that the Ministry was looking for ambassadors to several countries which included Iran. I indicated to him my preference for Iran, which had until then been served by our Embassy in New Delhi.
The First Roving Ambassador to Iran In December 1989, I was appointed Singapore’s first Roving Ambassador to Iran. I was happy and excited about this appointment 387
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but there was also a tinge of sadness connected with it. My mother had passed away that month after a period of illness. I felt sad that I could not share this good news with her, which would have made her happy.
Why Iran? I had chosen Iran for several reasons. The history and culture of the country was interesting, particularly the Arab conquest of Persia and the Islamisation of the country in spite of which the country, even today, retains many pre-Islamic traditions including the celebration of its new year. As a student I had been fascinated by the “weeping” Prime Minister of Iran, Mosaddeq. Having grown up at the tail end of the colonial era, I had an anti-colonial, pro-left streak in me. Mosaddeq had nationalized the Iranian oil company but failed to hold on to power because the Americans had feared that his closeness to the Soviet Union would put Iran, a strategically important nation, in the wrong camp. The other factor which had intrigued me about Iran was its sudden transformation from what was billed as a modern pro-West monarchy to an Islamic theocratic state almost overnight. The ease with which Ayatollah Khomeni moved into Iran in spite of the heavy presence of Israeli and American intelligence services, not to mention the heavy handed intelligence network of the Shah, was amazing. There were so many things in Iran’s past and present that I found fascinating. Yet, as the time grew close for me to go to Iran to present my credentials to President Rafsanjani, I had serious misgivings about the assignment.
Doubts I was most concerned about my own suitability for the job. Representing Singapore in a major country in the Middle East was not like doing a palm oil deal with a state trading corporation in
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South Asia or setting up a garment factory in a cheap labour area in the neighbourhood. The world has heard of scholar-diplomat or soldier-diplomat. Businessmen are appointed ambassadors in the U.S., for example, only if they have contributed handsomely to the ruling party’s coffers. Furthermore how will Iran accept me? In ancient civilisation, businessmen rank rather low in the social hierarchy. And how will a staunchly Islamic Iran take to a Hindu (Chairman of the Hindu Advisory Board) ambassador? How does Iran view Singapore, a close friend of the U.S. and Israel? I began to question my own judgement in volunteering for Iran.
Fears Allayed My first trip to Teheran in March 1990 dispelled most of my misgivings. I realised that in spite of numerous differences — such as differences in political orientation, attitude towards the U.S. and Israel, role of religion in politics, etc., between the two countries — Iran gave Singapore a special place in its scheme of things. It was obvious that they felt Singapore had established a larger footprint than what its size would entitle it to. They attributed this to its economic success and the quality of its leadership. They felt that there were aspects of Singapore life that they could emulate. This gave me an advantage. There was an existing foundation on which I could build a relationship. My first task was to acquire a deeper understanding of Iran particularly its social, economic and political structure. For this, I visited the different ministers of the central government in Teheran as well as the provincial capitals. I would also use the visits to explain Singapore’s policies especially in two areas which were of great interest to the Iranians — social order and social cohesion. I also made sure that I did not underplay our differences. The Iranians were mature enough to understand these even though the differences were significant. While both sides explained their positions there were no attempts to say the other was
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wrong. Iranians are sophisticated and nuanced in their approach. For a blunt businessman, this was a skill that needed to be acquired. It was a pleasurable learning process.
Singapore-Iran Relations The first sign that the relationship was going in the right direction was in November 1999 when the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Kharrazi, during his visit to Singapore, announced that Iran would allow Singaporeans to get their visa on arrival at the airport in Teheran. Iran made this gesture only to very few countries. Singapore had no visa requirement for Iranians at that time. After 11 September 2001 when Singapore imposed a visa requirement on all Middle East countries, we imposed a visa requirement on Iran. They understood our security concerns behind the move and did not re-impose the visa in retaliation.
Visits by George Yeo and Goh Chok Tong The relationship between Iran and Singapore moved to a much higher plane with the visit of then Minister of Trade and Industry, George Yeo, in 2004. This was the first visit to Iran by a Singapore Minister since the Islamic revolution. Though it had taken almost 14 years since my appointment as Ambassador for a high level visit to take place, it was indeed gratifying for me. The visit was successful. The Iranians were impressed by the Minister’s knowledge of Persian history and culture and his ability to articulate effectively Singapore’s policies. He was able to impress on them that Singapore considered Iran as a major power in the Middle East and that we valued the relationship. From Singapore’s point of view there was the realisation that though there had been no high level visits, there was warmth in the relationship and there was potential to develop the relationship further.
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The positive signals and messages conveyed were further strengthened by the visit of then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong a few months later, accompanied by Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar and Minister Yaacob Ibrahim. The visit was hosted by President Khatami with whom the Singapore delegation had frank and friendly talks that covered a whole range of issues which included bilateral relations, the volatile situation in the Middle East and Iran’s nuclear programmes. In these high level discussions between Heads of Governments, the Ambassador has a useful role to play. His familiarity with the host country gives him the ability to understand the nuances. As a businessman, I acquired some skills in reading situations correctly. Such skills became handy during these visits.
Pakistan Another country where I had the privilege to serve was Pakistan. I was appointed High Commissioner to Pakistan in 1995 and held that position until August 2001. Pakistan was a country that I had visited many times for business reasons prior to my appointment as High Commissioner. I had some knowledge of the language as well as the post-independence history. English was widely used. Singapore and Pakistan were on the same side opposing the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. All this made my job as High Commissioner fairly smooth going. The volatility of the political scene in Pakistan posed some challenges. I witnessed two changes in government, one was through the democratic process and the other through a coup. Changes in the Head of Government brought about changes in the Foreign Ministry officials. However, whichever government came into power, the official policy towards Singapore, which was always friendly, did not change. The story was different for Singapore businessmen. Closeness to a regime became a liability when there was a regime change. They had to meet the challenge of forging new relationships.
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Conclusion I have enjoyed both my assignments and, in the case of Iran, continue to enjoy my ambassadorship. In spite of the fact that there were some demands on one’s time, the experience has been an enriching one. This was because of the opportunity it gave — to work with people of different backgrounds and outlooks. One acquires the ability to look beyond what is on the surface — something a businessman is used to. However there is one great difference. It is not often that a businessman makes a decision of national importance. An ambassador needs to always bear in mind that he represents his country and sometimes the country is judged by its representative. The Non-Resident Ambassador (NRA) scheme is a good example of Singapore trying to make the best of its limited human resource pool. However, to ensure the scheme’s success, square pegs need to be chiselled into shape before easing them into round holes. What lessons can I convey to a new NRA? First, understand Singapore well. It is a tiny country with many strengths. Understand these well and articulate them effectively without appearing arrogant. Second, understand the country you have been accredited to, its history, its culture, its social and political structures. Demonstrate to your hosts that you understand their problems. It is not possible to agree with them on all issues. Disagreements should be conveyed politely but effectively with explanation on points of disagreement. Third, have some knowledge of world affairs as well as world history. The people you deal with are usually well read and you should not appear ignorant in their eyes. Finally, look upon your appointment as an opportunity to serve Singapore in a unique way. It is not for the pomp and influence nor is it to help you with your social standing. It is to advance the interest of your country by ensuring that it has a significant place on the world stage.
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"UILDING 'OODWILL #HARTING .EW #OURSE -R 4!. +AH (OE HAS BEEN (IGH #OMMISSIONER OF 3INGAPORE TO 3RI ,ANKA AND THE -ALDIVES SINCE (E IS AN ARCHITECT AND TOWN PLANNER BY PROFESSION AND HAS RUN HIS OWN PRACTICE SINCE (E WAS A FOUNDING -EMBER OF THE 3INGAPORE )NSTITUTE OF 0LANNERS AND !3%!. !SSOCIATION FOR 0LANNING AND (OUSING !!0( (E SERVED AS 0RESIDENT IN BOTH ORGANISATIONS (E WAS A -EMBER OF THE 0EOPLES !SSOCIATION "OARD OF -ANAGEMENT n AND -EMBER OF THE "OARD OF -ANAGEMENT OF #HINESE $EVELOPMENT !SSISTANCE #OUNCIL FROM n (E WAS 0RESIDENT OF THE !USTRALIAN !LUMNI 3INGAPORE n AND 0RESIDENT OF THE -ELBOURNE 5NIVERSITY !LUMNI !SSOCIATION n (E WAS #HAIRMAN OF THE 3INGAPORE 0ROFESSIONAL #ENTRE FOR SIX TERMS AND MADE (ONORARY #HAIRMAN (E WAS THE #ONTINGENT #OMMANDER OF THE 3INGAPORE 0ROFESSIONAL #ENTRE MARCHING CONTINGENT IN THE 3INGAPORE .ATIONAL $AY 0ARADE IN AND
HAVE BEEN AN ARCHITECT AND TOWN PLANNER RUNNING MY OWN OFlCE FOR THE PAST YEARS 7HEN ) WAS APPOINTED (IGH #OMMISSIONER .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR OR .2! TO 3RI ,ANKA AND THE -ALDIVES IN ) FELT GREATLY HONOURED AND PROUD FOR THE TRUST OUR GOVERNMENT HAD PLACED IN ME !T THE SAME TIME ) WAS HUMBLED BECAUSE ) WAS NOT TRAINED IN DIPLOMACY IN THE FORMAL SENSE (OWEVER ) WAS SOON ASSURED BY SENIOR 3INGAPOREAN DIPLOMATS THAT WITH THE EXPERIENCE IN MY PROFESSIONS AND COMMUNITY WORK ) SHOULD BE ABLE TO QUICKLY LEARN ON THE JOB !MONGST THE GROUP OF lVE NEW RECRUITS FOR POSTS OF (IGH #OMMISSIONERS!MBASSADORS FOR WERE PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF DRAWN FROM THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY 7E WERE GIVEN A HALF DAY LECTURE ON SOME OF THE BASIC THINGS AN AMBASSADOR SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO AND AFTER THAT WE WERE LEFT ON OUR OWN TO BE HEADS OF MISSION
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)N A NUTSHELL ) TOLD MYSELF THAT ) SHOULD CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE WARM AND CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP THAT ALREADY EXISTED BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND THE COUNTRIES ) AM ACCREDITED TO &URTHER ) SHOULD WORK TOWARDS THE IMPROVEMENT OF TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THESE COUNTRIES AND 3INGAPORE AND CO OPERATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENAS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SAFEGUARDING AND PROMOTING THE INTERESTS OF 3INGAPORE
.OT 3EEN .OT (EARD .OT 4HERE ) WAS ADVISED BY SEASONED AMBASSADORS THAT AS A NEW (IGH #OMMISSIONER ) SHOULD MAKE MY PRESENCE KNOWN (ENCE ) TOOK THE INITIATIVE SOON AFTER MY APPOINTMENT TO HOST A COCKTAIL RECEPTION FOR LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN #OLOMBO !T THIS GATHERING ) MET MORE THAN LEADING BUSINESSMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE #HAMBERS OF #OMMERCE &OR MANY OF THEM IT WAS THEIR lRST TIME MEETING THE (IGH #OMMISSIONER OF 3INGAPORE 7E HAD INTERESTING AND FRUITFUL DISCUSSIONS $R ,ALITH +OTELAWALA A LEADING BUSINESSMAN AND #HAIRMAN OF THE #EYLINCO 'ROUP OF COMPANIES WAS AMONGST THE GUESTS PRESENT (E WAS EVENTUALLY APPOINTED (ONORARY #ONSUL 'ENERAL FOR 3INGAPORE IN 3RI ,ANKA !S A .ON 2ESIDENT (IGH #OMMISSIONER ) AM ALLOCATED TWO REPRESENTATIONAL VISITS ANNUALLY TO THE COUNTRY OF ACCREDITATION %ACH VISIT WOULD TAKE FOUR TO lVE WORKING DAYS (ENCE MY CONTACT TIME WITH THE OFlCIALS BUSINESSMEN AND PEOPLE IS LIMITED 4O MAKE MY VISITS MOST MEANINGFUL AND FRUITFUL ) DECIDED TO TIME THE lRST OF THE TWO VISITS TO COINCIDE WITH 3RI ,ANKAS )NDEPENDENCE $AY ON &EBRUARY WHEN ) HAVE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING MINISTERS AMBASSADORS AND GOVERNMENT OFlCIALS /N &EBRUARY AMBASSADORS ACCREDITED TO 3RI ,ANKA WILL MAKE THEIR WAY TO #OLOMBO EVEN IF THEY ARE STATIONED OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY SUCH AS $EHLI OR ELSEWHERE LIKE MYSELF IN 3INGAPORE 7E WOULD ATTEND THE )NDEPENDENCE $AY PARADE AT )NDEPENDENCE 3QUARE AND IN THE EVENING THE 3TATE 2ECEPTION HOSTED BY (% 0RESIDENT #HANDRIKA
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"ANDARANAIKE +UMARATUNGA AT HER OFlCIAL RESIDENCE 3IMILARLY ) WOULD MAKE ONE OF MY REPRESENTATIONAL VISITS TO THE -ALDIVES TO COINCIDE WITH ITS )NDEPENDENCE $AY CELEBRATION ON *ULY ) WOULD TIME MY SECOND ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONAL CALL ON 3RI ,ANKA WITH THE HOSTING OF THE 3INGAPORE .ATIONAL $AY RECEPTION ON !UGUST 4HIS RECEPTION IS ATTENDED BY MINISTERS AMBASSADORS GOVERNMENT OFlCIALS AND BUSINESSMEN )N THE LAST TWO .ATIONAL $AY RECEPTIONS NOT LESS THAN lVE 3RI ,ANKAN MINISTERS AND GUESTS OF OVER ATTENDED ON EACH OCCASION 4HIS STRONG PARTICIPATION CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE GOODWILL BUILT OVER THE YEARS 3UPPLEMENTARY PUBLICATIONS COMMEMORATING THE .ATIONAL $AY WERE ALSO CARRIED IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS /N THESE REPRESENTATIONAL VISITS TO BOTH 3RI ,ANKA AND THE -ALDIVES ) TRY TO CALL ON AS MANY MINISTERS OFlCIALS AND BUSINESSMEN AS POSSIBLE 7HENEVER TIME PERMITS ) ALSO CALL ON SOME OF THE AMBASSADORS STATIONED IN THE COUNTRIES ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM THE !3%!. COUNTRIES AND 3!!2# COUNTRIES RESPECTIVELY )N 3RI ,ANKA ) MADE IT A POINT TO CATCH UP WITH OUR (ONORARY #ONSUL 'ENERAL AND REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE )NTERNATIONAL %NTERPRISE 3INGAPORE WHO SHARED WITH ME UP TO DATE READINGS OF THE LOCAL SITUATION
4HE %XTRA -ILE )N THE lRST THREE YEARS OF MY APPOINTMENT AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER ) MADE THREE ADDITIONAL VISITS TO 3RI ,ANKA AT MY OWN EXPENSE BECAUSE ) CONSIDERED THESE VISITS TO BE BENElCIAL TO THE INTERESTS OF 3INGAPORE /NE WAS THE OFlCIAL OPENING OF THE ICONIC 7ORLD 4RADE #ENTRE BY 0RESIDENT #HANDRIKA "ANDARANAIKE +UMARATUNGA OF 3RI ,ANKA 4HIS IS THE TALLEST AND BIGGEST COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN 3RI ,ANKA WORTH OVER 53 MILLION AND OWNED BY /VERSEAS 2EALTY ,TD A COMPANY BELONGING TO -R 3 0 4AO OF 3INGAPORE 4HIS EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY MINISTERS AMBASSADORS OFlCIALS AND LEADING LOCAL AND
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OVERSEAS BUSINESSMEN 4HE OCCASION WAS GIVEN EXTENSIVE COVERAGE IN THE NEWS MEDIA ) WAS GLAD TO BE THERE TO mY THE mAG OF 3INGAPORE AND SHOW SUPPORT FOR OUR INVESTORS VENTURING OVERSEAS /N ANOTHER OCCASION IN ) WAS INVITED AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER AND A 'UEST OF (ONOUR TO THE OPENING OF THE lRST #AREER %XHIBITION IN #OLOMBO ORGANISED BY THE /RGANISATION OF 0ROFESSIONAL !SSOCIATION OF 3RI ,ANKA !MONG THE OTHER 'UESTS OF (ONOUR WERE (ON -INISTER ' , 0EIRIS -AYOR +ARU *AYASURIYA OF #OLOMBO AND THE 'OVERNOR OF 7ESTERN 0ROVINCE 4HE EVENT WAS WELL ATTENDED BY STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS IN #OLOMBO -ANY OF THE 6)0S ) MET DURING THE OCCASION BECAME MY PERSONAL FRIENDS AMONG THEM -INISTER 0EIRIS AND -AYOR *AYASURIYA WHO SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER OF 3RI ,ANKA /N THE THIRD OCCASION ) WAS INVITED BY THE THEN -INISTER OF (OUSING AND 5RBAN $EVELOPMENT (ON )NDIKA 'UNAWARDENA TO BE THE 'UEST OF (ONOUR AND +EYNOTE 3PEAKER AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE #OLOMBO -ETROPOLITAN 2EGIONAL 3TRUCTURE 0LAN ) SPOKE TO A GATHERING OF OVER PARTICIPANTS AMONG WHOM WERE HALF A DOZEN MINISTERS AMBASSADORS OFlCIALS BUSINESSMEN AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ) SHARED WITH THEM OUR 2EPUBLICS EXPERIENCES IN TOWN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 4HEY EXPRESSED MUCH AMAZEMENT AT AND ADMIRATION FOR 3INGAPORES PHENOMENAL PROGRESS ) FEEL MUCH GRATIlED THAT ) HAVE BEEN ABLE DURING MY THREE VISITS TO DEMONSTRATE SUPPORT FOR OUR INVESTORS VENTURING OVERSEAS OPEN UP AVENUES FOR THEM TO EXCHANGE AND SHARE EXPERIENCES FOR MUTUAL BENElT AND INDIRECTLY PROMOTE EXPERTISE AVAILABLE IN 3INGAPORE WHICH COULD BE APPLICABLE IN 3RI ,ANKA
6ISITS AND %XCHANGES !S (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO 3RI ,ANKA AND THE -ALDIVES ) HAVE MADE IT MY MISSION TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE MINISTERS OFlCIALS BUSINESSMEN AND YOUTHS TO VISIT 3INGAPORE AND VICE VERSA TO LEARN
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THINGS lRST HAND AND IN THE PROCESS BUILD UP UNDERSTANDING AND CO OPERATION FOR THE RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES 3HORTLY AFTER SETTLING DOWN AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER ) PAID A VISIT TO -AYOR +ARU *AYASURIYA AT HIS OFlCE AT THE TOWN HALL 7E DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF A STUDY VISIT TO 3INGAPORE BY MAYORS FROM THE TWELVE MAYORAL WARDS A PROPOSAL WHICH WAS ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTED BY -AYOR *AYASURIYA HIMSELF !CCORDINGLY IN AND MAYORS CITY COUNCILLORS AND OFlCIALS PAID VISITS TO 3INGAPORE IN FOUR GROUPS OF EACH %ACH VISIT LASTED THREE WORKING DAYS 4HE -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS ORGANISED A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTERESTING PROGRAMME FOR THEM )N THE PROCESS WE SHARED OUR EXPERIENCES AND MADE NEW FRIENDS -ANY MINISTERS AND OFlCIALS FROM THE -ALDIVES AND 3RI ,ANKA HAVE TAKEN THIS ROUTE TO 3INGAPORE TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER BETTER !T HOME IN 3INGAPORE ) USUALLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN OUR 2EPUBLIC 3RI ,ANKA AND THE -ALDIVES BY RECEIVING ABOUT HALF A DOZEN VISITS A YEAR FROM THEIR MINISTERS AND OFlCIALS VISITING OR TRANSITING THROUGH 3INGAPORE 7HENEVER THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF ) TRIED TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE YOUTH CULTURAL AND SOCIAL EXCHANGES h).ITIATEv A YOUTH GROUP UNDER THE 0EOPLES !SSOCIATION STARTED A CENTRE IN A REMOTE ISLAND IN THE -ALDIVES TO INTRODUCE THE USE OF COMPUTERS AND THE )NTERNET 4HIS PROJECT HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS ! GROUP OF YOUTHS FROM THE -ALDIVES CAME TO 3INGAPORE ON A YOUTH EXCHANGE 4HROUGH THE EFFORTS OF .ATIONAL 9OUTH !CHIEVEMENT !WARDS #OUNCIL .9!! TWO YOUTH GROUPS OF TO MEMBERS FROM 3RI ,ANKA VISITED 3INGAPORE AND THEIR PROGRAMMES WERE COORDINATED BY .9!! 4WO GROUPS OF 3INGAPOREAN YOUTHS RETURNED THE VISITS /NE GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM THE 3INGAPORE 0OLYTECHNIC DONATED RECONDITIONED COMPUTERS TO THE 5NIVERSITY OF 0ERADENIYA AND HELPED IN INSTALLING THEM )N &EBRUARY ) HELPED TO ORGANISE FOR EIGHT POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN 5RBAN $ESIGN AND THEIR SUPERVISORS FROM THE .ATIONAL
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5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE TO PREPARE A MASTER PLAN FOR $ONDRA A TOWN AT THE SOUTHERN MOST POINT OF 3RI ,ANKA !S A GESTURE OF GOODWILL AND COOPERATION COPIES OF THIS PLAN WERE PRESENTED TO THE $EPUTY -INISTER OF (OUSING AND 5RBAN $EVELOPMENT (ON -AHENDRA 7IJESEKERA WHO WAS ALSO THE -EMBER OF 0ARLIAMENT COVERING $ONDRA (ON 7IJESEKERA WAS ALSO THE HOST PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION AND LOCAL HOSPITALITY TO THE 3INGAPORE GROUP ) HAD ASSISTED TWO GROUPS OF OVER PARTICIPANTS EACH FROM &IREmY -ISSION A CHARITABLE ORGANISATION FROM 3INGAPORE TO BRING DONATIONS AND ASSIST IN SETTING UP SCHOOLS IN 3RI ,ANKA !SSISTANCE WAS ALSO GIVEN TO THE 3INGAPORE #ULTURAL #LUB TO MOUNT AN EXHIBITION OF WORKS BY 3INGAPOREAN ARTISTS IN A HOTEL IN #OLOMBO
.ON 2ESIDENT (IGH #OMMISSIONER IN 3INGAPORE 4HERE ARE ADVANTAGES IN BEING A NON RESIDENT (IGH #OMMISSIONER BASED IN 3INGAPORE !S SUCH ) HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET UP WITH MINISTERS AND OFlCIALS WHEN THEY VISIT 3INGAPORE OR ARE IN TRANSIT ) WOULD OFTEN EXTEND TO THEM WHATEVER ASSISTANCE ) COULD &OR INSTANCE ) ACCOMPANIED (ON 2ANIL 7ICKREMASINGHE THE 0RIME -INISTER OF 3RI ,ANKA TO THE 5RBAN $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY TO STUDY TOWN PLANNING IN 3INGAPORE 4HIS INDIRECTLY LED TO #%3-!3 A 3INGAPORE COMPANY TO BE AWARDED THE CONTRACT TO PREPARE THE MASTER PLAN FOR GREATER #OLOMBO ) ALSO ACCOMPANIED (% 0RESIDENT -AUMOON !BDUL 'AYOOM OF THE -ALDIVES DURING HIS VISIT TO LAND RECLAMATION SITES IN *URONG WHEN THE -ALDIVES WAS PLANNING TO LAUNCH A MASSIVE LAND RECLAIMING PROJECT IN -ALE
6ISITS OF -INISTERS TO 3RI ,ANKA AND THE -ALDIVES !S (IGH #OMMISSIONER ) HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCOMPANY THE THEN &OREIGN -INISTER 0ROFESSOR *AYAKUMAR ON HIS OFlCIAL VISIT TO
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THE -ALDIVES AND $R 9AACOB )BRAHIM WHEN HE VISITED THE -ALDIVES TO OFFER AIDS TO THE TSUNAMI HIT COUNTRY )N 3RI ,ANKA ) WAS IN THE DELEGATION LED BY -R #EDRIC &OO THE THEN -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR $EFENCE WHEN HE ATTENDED THE TH !NNIVERSARY OF THE 0RIMA &LOUR -ILL IN #OLOMBO ) ACCOMPANIED 0ROFESSOR *AYAKUMAR ON HIS OFlCIAL VISIT TO 3RI ,ANKA AND -INISTER OF %DUCATION -R 4HARMAN 3HANMUGARATNAM DURING HIS VISIT TO 3RI ,ANKA TO OFFER AIDS TO THE 3RI ,ANKAN GOVERNMENT IN THE WAKE OF THE TSUNAMI DISASTER 4HE MOST IMPORTANT VISIT TO 3RI ,ANKA IN RECENT YEARS WAS THE OFlCIAL VISIT BY -R 'OH #HOK 4ONG IN *UNE WHEN HE WAS THE 0RIME -INISTER OF 3INGAPORE !CCOMPANYING HIM WERE -INISTER OF (OME !FFAIRS -R 7ONG +AN 3ENG -INISTER OF -ANPOWER $R .G %NG (EN AND 3ECOND -INISTER OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -R ,EE 9OCK 3UAN 4HIS VISIT WAS WIDELY COVERED IN THE LOCAL MEDIA AND IN 3INGAPORE
4RAVELLING IN 3RI ,ANKA 4O HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF 3RI ,ANKA ) WOULD SOMETIMES TRAVEL IN #OLOMBO DRESSED LIKE A TOURIST AND USED LOCAL TRANSPORT INCLUDING THE THREE WHEELER INSTEAD OF A CAR WITH A 3INGAPORE mAG ) WOULD VISIT CULTURAL HISTORICAL AND TOURIST SITES WHEN MY SCHEDULE PERMITTED 7HEN A TRUCE WAS DECLARED BETWEEN THE 3RI ,ANKAN GOVERNMENT AND THE ,IBERATION 4IGERS OF 4AMIL %ELAM ,44% IN &EBRUARY ) SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT PLACES WHICH WERE OUT OF BOUNDS BEFORE THE CEASElRE ) mEW IN A # MILITARY PLANE TO *AFFNA AS A GUEST OF THE 'OVERNMENT /THER PLACES ) VISITED INCLUDED 4RINCOMALEE AND THE CATHOLIC SACRED CHURCH OF THE ,ADY OF -AHDU IN -ANNAR 4HESE VISITS GIVE ME A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE EFFECTS OF ETHNIC CONmICT AND A GREATER APPRECIATION OF THE PEACE AND RACIAL HARMONY WE ENJOY IN 3INGAPORE AND THE NEED TO SAFEGUARD THEM
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.EGOTIATIONS ) HAVE MADE A NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIONS ON BEHALF OF 3INGAPORE COMPANIES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE -ALDIVES AND 3RI ,ANKA /NE OF THEM WAS MY SUCCESSFUL APPEAL TO THE 3RI ,ANKA -INISTER OF #IVIL !VIATION AND 4OURISM TO ALLOW 3INGAPORE !IRLINES TO INCREASE ITS SIX WEEKLY mIGHTS TO SEVEN WEEKLY mIGHTS ON A WIN WIN CASE FOR BOTH COUNTRIES !T THE END OF THE MINUTE DISCUSSION ) PRESENTED THE -INISTER WITH A BOOK COPY OF ,EE +UAN 9EW 4HE -AN AND (IS )DEAS 7ITHIN ONE WEEK AFTER THE MEETING 3INGAPORE !IRLINES WAS GRANTED SEVEN WEEKLY mIGHTS TO 3RI ,ANKA !NOTHER OCCASION INVOLVED THE ARREST AND DETENTION IN *UNE OF A 3INGAPORE lSHING BOAT IN THE -ALDIVES BY THE GOVERNMENT 4HE 3INGAPORE COMPANY OWNING THE BOAT WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE -ALDIVIAN GOVERNMENT TO PAY A lNE OF 53M OR HAVE THE BOAT AUCTIONED 4HIS BECAME A COURT CASE AND STRETCHED OVER A PERIOD OF NEARLY ONE YEAR THROUGH LEGAL CHANNELS BUT WITH NO TANGIBLE RESULTS &ORTUNATELY WHEN 0RESIDENT (% -AUMOON !BDUL 'AYOOM WAS IN 3INGAPORE ) CALLED ON HIM AND APPEALED TO HIM FOR HIS HELP IN THIS ISSUE )N THE LIGHT OF THE EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES HE PROMISED TO LOOK INTO IT AND WITHIN A PERIOD OF LESS THAN TWO MONTHS THE BOAT WAS RELEASED WITH A MUCH REDUCED lNE OF 53 &ROM THE ABOVE TWO EXPERIENCES ) BELIEVE THAT GOOD BILATERAL RELATIONSHIPS CAN DO A LOT TO EASE TENSIONS AND CONmICT AND SOLVE PROBLEMS
#LOSING /N REmECTION ) AM VERY GRATEFUL TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS (IGH #OMMISSIONER OF OUR COUNTRY AND BE GIVEN THE DISCRETION TO ACT IN THE WAYS ) THINK BEST SERVE OUR COUNTRYS INTERESTS ) AM FORTUNATE TO BE ACCREDITED TO COUNTRIES WHERE THE GOVERNMENT AND
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PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL ) WISH TO THANK MY SENIORS IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE FOR THEIR SOUND ADVICE AND DIRECTION AND THE DESK OFlCERS IN -&! FOR THEIR COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE IN CARRYING OUT MY DUTIES
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!NNEX ) -ILESTONES OF 3INGAPORES %XTERNAL 2ELATIONS !UGUST n-AY
!UG
3INGAPORE BECAME INDEPENDENT -R 3 2AJARATNAM APPOINTED AS 3INGAPORES lRST -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND #ULTURE
3EP
3INGAPORE ADMITTED AS TH MEMBER OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS
/CT
3INGAPORE ADMITTED AS ND MEMBER OF THE #OMMONWEALTH
/CT
3INGAPORE INHERITED TWO )NTERNATIONAL ,ABOUR /RGANISATION ),/ #ORE #ONVENTIONS FROM THE "RITISH COLONIAL GOVERNMENT AT OUR INDEPENDENCE 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO #ONVENTION ON &ORCED ,ABOUR AND #ONVENTION ON 2IGHT TO /RGANISE AND #OLLECTIVE "ARGAINING 4HESE CONVENTIONS PROTECT WORKERS FROM FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOUR AND PROTECT THE WORKERS RIGHTS TO JOIN UNIONS AND NEGOTIATE COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS WITH THE EMPLOYERS
*AN
3INGAPORE SIGNED THE #ONVENTION ON THE )NTERNATIONAL -ARITIME /RGANISATION )-/ AND BECAME A MEMBER OF )-/
*AN
0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW MADE HIS lRST OFlCIAL VISIT TO )NDONESIA
#OMPILED AS AT -AY BY -S ,AU 3IEW +HENG 0ROJECTS /FlCER ,IBRARY -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS -&! 3HE WAS THE #HIEF ,IBRARIAN OF -&! FROM *UNE TO *UNE
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
-AR
-ALAYSIAN 0RIME -INISTER 4UNKU !BDUL 2AHMAN VISITED 3INGAPORE
-AY
3INGAPORE RATIlED THE #ONVENTION ON )NTERNATIONAL #IVIL !VIATION
!UG
3INGAPORE OFlCIALLY BECAME THE TH MEMBER OF THE )NTERNATIONAL -ONETARY &UND AND THE 7ORLD "ANK -R 'OH +OH 0UI SIGNED THE ORIGINAL !RTICLES OF !GREEMENT OF THE &UND AND THE "ANK
!UG
3INGAPORE ,IAISON -ISSION WENT TO *AKARTA TO PLAN THE NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA ON !UGUST TO END #ONFRONTATION
n 3EP
0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW ATTENDED THE #OMMONWEALTH 0RIME -INISTERS #ONFERENCE IN ,ONDON WHERE HE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING TO RESOLVE THE 3OUTH 2HODESIA ISSUE
.OV
3INGAPORE WAS RE ADMITTED AS A FULL MEMBER OF THE #OLOMBO 0LAN #ONSULTATIVE #OMMITTEE 3INGAPORE WAS A MEMBER FROM TO WHEN IT WAS PART OF THE -ALAYAN &EDERATION
.OVn $EC
4HE !SIAN !DVISORY #OMMITTEE OF THE )NTERNATIONAL ,ABOUR /RGANISATION HELD ITS TH SESSION IN 3INGAPORE ITS lRST INDEPENDENT SESSION ON !SIAN SOIL
ANNEX )INDD
&EB
3INGAPORE WAS ADMITTED AS A MEMBER OF THE !FRO !SIAN 0EOPLES 3OLIDARITY /RGANISATION
!-
"OOFY *
!UG
4HE !SSOCIATION OF 3OUTHEAST !SIA .ATIONS !3%!. CONSISTING )NDONESIA -ALAYSIA 0HILIPPINES 3INGAPORE AND 4HAILAND WAS FORMED IN "ANGKOK 4HAILAND &OREIGN -INISTER 2AJARATNAM REPRESENTED 3INGAPORE AT THE MEETING AND SIGNED THE FOUNDING DOCUMENT
n *UN &IVE .ATIONS $EFENCE #ONFERENCE HELD IN +UALA ,UMPUR TO DISCUSS "RITISH TROOP WITHDRAWAL AND JOINT DEFENCE COOPERATION
/CT 4WO )NDONESIAN MARINES WERE HANGED FOR PLANTING A BOMB AT -C$ONALD (OUSE WHICH KILLED THREE PERSONS AND WOUNDED OTHERS IN -ARCH DURING #ONFRONTATION BY )NDONESIA
ANNEX )INDD
&EB
3ACKING OF 3INGAPORE EMBASSY IN *AKARTA
4HE 5NITED +INGDOM GOVERNMENT COMPLETED A TRANSFER OF 3 MILLION WORTH OF PROPERTY AND INSTALLATIONS TO THE OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF THE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT
n !PR 4HE TH SESSION OF THE %CONOMIC #OMMISSION FOR !SIA AND THE &AR %AST %#!&% WAS THE BIGGEST CONFERENCE HELD IN 3INGAPORE IN THAT YEAR WITH DELEGATES REPRESENTING MEMBER AND OBSERVER COUNTRIES &OREIGN -INISTER 2AJARATNAM WAS ELECTED #HAIRMAN 3EP
3INGAPORE WAS INVITED FOR THE lRST TIME TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE -INISTERS OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS OR (EADS OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS DELEGATIONS FROM .ON !LIGNED COUNTRIES IN .EW 9ORK !MBASSADOR 4OMMY +OH REPRESENTED 3INGAPORE AT THE MEETING 3INGAPORE WAS THEREFORE ADMITTED TO THE .ON !LIGNED -OVEMENT ON THIS DATE
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
n !PR 3INGAPORE PARTICIPATED AS A FULL MEMBER AT THE 0REPARATORY -EETING OF .ON !LIGNED #OUNTRIES IN $AR ES 3ALAAM 4ANZANIA -INISTER OF 3TATE TO THE 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +HOON #HOY ATTENDED THE MEETING
!UG 3TATEMENT BY -&! THAT 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EWS VISIT TO +UALA ,UMPUR WOULD BE POSTPONED TO A MORE FAVOURABLE TIME /N THE EVE OF THE SCHEDULED VISIT ON !UGUST A -ALAYSIAN NEWSPAPER HAD GENERATED EXCITEMENT OVER A STORY ABOUT THREE -ALAYSIANS INTERROGATED BY THE #)$ AS SECRET SOCIETY SUSPECTS AND HAD THEIR LONG HAIR CUT SHORT 4HIS WAS A TIME WHEN THE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT WAS CAMPAIGNING AGAINST MEN WITH LONG HAIR AS A SYMBOL OF THE COUNTER CULTURE
n 3EP
0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW AND &OREIGN -INISTER 2AJARATNAM ATTENDED THE 4HIRD .ON !LIGNED 3UMMIT HELD IN ,USAKA :AMBIA
n 3EP
0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW MADE HIS lRST OFlCIAL VISIT TO THE 3OVIET 5NION
.OV 3INGAPORE WAS ELECTED A MEMBER OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS #OMMISSION ON )NTERNATIONAL 4RADE ,AW 5.#)42!, BY THE 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY FOR A SIX YEAR TERM WHICH WOULD END ON $ECEMBER 4HE lRST REPRESENTATIVE TO 5.#)42!, WAS -R 7ARREN +HOO
n *AN
ANNEX )INDD
3INGAPORE HOSTED THE TH -EETING OF THE #OMMONWEALTH (EADS OF 3TATE AND 'OVERNMENT #(/'- 4HE PREPARATION FOR THIS IMPORTANT MEETING IS DISCUSSED IN -R 6 + 2AJANS ESSAY IN 3ECTION OF THIS BOOK
!-
"OOFY *
n !PR
4HE MINISTERS OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF !USTRALIA -ALAYSIA .EW :EALAND 3INGAPORE AND THE 5NITED +INGDOM MET AND ISSUED A COMMUNIQUE ANNOUNCING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW DEFENCE MECHANISM CALLED THE &IVE 0OWER $EFENCE !RRANGEMENTS &0$! 4HE &0$! HAS ENDURED AND MAKES A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE PEACE AND STABILITY OF 3OUTH EAST !SIA
3EP
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION ON ,OAD ,INES ,, AN )-/ 3AFETY #ONVENTION
/CT
"RITISH &AR %AST #OMMAND CEASED TO OPERATE
.OV
%XCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND !USTRALIA IN FURTHERANCE OF THE !GREEMENT ON THE &IVE 0OWER $EFENCE !RRANGEMENTS
.OV
3INGAPORE TOOK FULL CONTROL OF ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS EFFECTED BY THE !DMIRALTY 7ATERS 2EPEAL !CT
.OV
*OINT STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF )NDONESIA -ALAYSIA AND 3INGAPORE AFTER TWO MINISTERIAL LEVEL MEETINGS HELD ON /CTOBER IN 3INGAPORE AND /CTOBER IN +UALA ,UMPUR TO ADOPT A COMMON POSITION ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE 3TRAITS OF -ALACCA AND 3INGAPORE
n &EB
(- 1UEEN %LIZABETH )) OF "RITAIN WHO IS ALSO (EAD OF THE #OMMONWEALTH (2( 0RINCE 0HILIP AND THEIR DAUGHTER (2( 0RINCESS !NNE VISITED 3INGAPORE
*UN
3INGAPORES &OREIGN 3ERVICE WAS ESTABLISHED
/CT
3INGAPORES NATIONAL AIRLINES 3INGAPORE !IRLINES 3)! WAS INAUGURATED FOLLOWING THE DECISION OF THE 3INGAPORE
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
AND -ALAYSIAN GOVERNMENTS TO DISSOLVE THE FORMER JOINT AIRLINE -ALAYSIA 3INGAPORE !IRLINES -3!
!PR
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO AND BECAME A PARTY TO THE FOUR 'ENEVA #ONVENTIONS OF 4HE 'ENEVA #ONVENTIONS HAVE CODIlED SOME OF THE LAWS OF WAR ALSO KNOWN AS INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW 0ERSONS WHO ARE NOT TAKING PART IN HOSTILITIES AND THOSE PUT OUT OF ACTION THROUGH SICKNESS INJURY CAPTIVITY OR ANY OTHER CAUSE MUST BE RESPECTED AND PROTECTED AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF ARMED CONmICT
-AY
)NTERCHANGEABILITY OF THE 3INGAPORE AND -ALAYSIAN DOLLARS AT PAR ENDED BY THE -ALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT
-AY
4REATY BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND )NDONESIA RELATING TO THE DELIMITATION OF THE TERRITORIAL SEAS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES IN THE 3TRAIT OF 3INGAPORE WAS SIGNED IN *AKARTA
n -AY
0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EWS lRST OFlCIAL VISIT TO )NDONESIA AT THE INVITATION OF )NDONESIAN 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO $URING THE VISIT HE VISITED THE GRAVES OF THE TWO )NDONESIAN -ARINES HANGED BY 3INGAPORE AND SPRINKLED mOWERS OVER THEM 4HIS VISIT HEALED THE RIFT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES CAUSED BY THEIR HANGING 3EE HOW THIS CAME ABOUT IN -R ,EE +HOON #HOYS ESSAY IN 3ECTION OF THIS BOOK
*UL
3INGAPORE JOINED THE 'ENERAL !GREEMENT ON 4ARIFFS AND 4RADE '!44
*AN
&ERRYBOAT h,AJUv WAS HIJACKED BY FOUR MEN TWO *APANESE NATIONALS FROM THE *APANESE 2ED !RMY AND TWO !RABS FROM THE 0OPULAR &RONT FOR THE ,IBERATION OF
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
0ALESTINE 4HEY FAILED IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP THE 3HELL OIL RElNERY ON 0ULAU "UKOM BUT CAUSED SOME MINOR DAMAGES TO THREE STORAGE TANKS 4HEY TOOK lVE CREWMEN AS HOSTAGES .EGOTIATIONS WERE COMPLETED WITHOUT LOSS OF LIFE 4HIRTEEN 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT OFlCIALS ACTED AS GUARANTORS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE TERRORISTS ACCOMPANYING THEM ON A *!, mIGHT TO +UWAIT ON &EBRUARY WHERE THEY PICKED UP lVE OF THEIR ACCOMPLICES WHO HAD TAKEN THE *APANESE EMBASSY STAFF IN +UWAIT HOSTAGE BEFORE mYING OFF TO 3OUTH 9EMEN )NCLUDED AS GUARANTORS WERE 3 2 .ATHAN $IRECTOR 3)$ AND 4EE 4UA "AH !CTING 3UPERINTENDENT /# -ARINE 0OLICE 4HIS INCIDENT IS DISCUSSED IN 0RESIDENT 3 2 .ATHANS ESSAY IN 3ECTION OF THIS BOOK
!UG
"ASIC AGREEMENT ON ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF 3INGAPORE AND )NDONESIA WAS SIGNED
n !UG
)NDONESIAN 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO PAID AN OFlCIAL VISIT TO 3INGAPORE )T WAS THE lRST OFlCIAL VISIT BY AN )NDONESIAN (EAD OF 3TATE
/CT
&OREIGN -INISTER 2AJARATNAM HOSTED A DINNER FOR 6ICE -INISTER FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND LEADER OF THE 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINAS DELEGATION TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS -R #HIAO +UANHUA IN .EW 9ORK TO ESTABLISH A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS AND TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE VISIT OF 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW TO #HINA
n -AR
ANNEX )INDD
&OREIGN -INISTER 2AJARATNAM LED A GOODWILL MISSION TO THE 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA IN RESPONSE TO AN INVITATION EXTENDED TO HIM AT THE 5NITED .ATIONS THE PREVIOUS YEAR BY -R #HIAO +UANHUA THEN THE &OREIGN
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
-INISTER IN 4HE DELEGATION INCLUDED 3ENIOR -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS ,EE +HOON #HOY /N -ARCH THEY MET -R :HOU %NLAI WHO ASSURED THEM OF #HINAS RESPECT FOR 3INGAPORES INDEPENDENCE AND HOPED THAT DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WOULD BE ESTABLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT AT 3INGAPORES CONVENIENCE
!PR
0HNOM 0ENH FELL TO THE +HMER 2OUGE WHICH BEGAN A REIGN OF TERROR
!PR
4HE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE 2OYAL 'OVERNMENT OF THE .ATIONAL 5NION OF +AMPUCHEA HEADED BY 0RINCE 3IHANOUK AS THE SOLE AND LEGAL GOVERNMENT OF #AMBODIA
!PR
3AIGON AND 3OUTH 6IETNAM FELL TO THE .ORTH 6IETNAMESE
n 3EP
0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW MET 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO FOR INFORMAL AND WIDE RANGING DISCUSSIONS ON THE EVENTS OF THE PAST YEAR 4HERE WAS BROAD AGREEMENT THAT THE CHANGED INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL SITUATION REQUIRED !3%!. TO BE MORE COHESIVE AND TO COOPERATE MORE CLOSELY
n &EB
ANNEX )INDD
&EB
&IRST !3%!. 3UMMIT HELD IN "ALI )NDONESIA 4HE 4REATY OF !MITY AND #OOPERATION 4!# WAS SIGNED BY ALL !3%!. (EADS OF 3TATE AND 'OVERNMENTS 4HE !3%!. LEADERS DECIDED INTER ALIA TO SUPPORT 4HAILAND WHICH WAS VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT HER SECURITY IN THE LIGHT OF THE DRAMATIC CHANGES IN NEIGHBOURING 6IETNAM #AMBODIA AND ,AOS $ECLARATION OF !3%!. #ONCORD TO PROMOTE PEACE PROGRESS PROSPERITY AND THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLES OF
!-
"OOFY *
MEMBER STATES AND TO CONSOLIDATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF !3%!. AND EXPAND !3%!. COOPERATION IN THE ECONOMIC SOCIAL CULTURAL AND POLITICAL lELDS
-AR n -AY
,AST OF THE "RITISH TROOPS WITHDREW FROM 3INGAPORE 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW LED A GOODWILL MISSION TO THE 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA 4HE DELEGATION INCLUDED &OREIGN -INISTER 2AJARATNAM &INANCE -INISTER (ON 3UI 3EN AND 3ENIOR -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS ,EE +HOON #HOY
&EB
3PECIAL MEETING OF !3%!. &OREIGN -INISTERS IN -ANILA TO COMMEMORATE !3%!.S lRST ANNIVERSARY 4HEY REAFlRMED THE COMMITMENTS OF THEIR GOVERNMENTS TO THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF !3%!.
!PR
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE )-/ #ONVENTION ON THE )NTERNATIONAL 2EGULATIONS FOR 0REVENTING #OLLISIONS AT 3EA #/,2%'
/CT
&OUR YOUNG 6IETNAMESE HIJACKED A 6IETNAM !IRLINES $# AIRCRAFT WHICH LANDED IN 3INGAPORE 4HEY KILLED TWO CREW MEMBERS AND WOUNDED ANOTHER 4HEY WERE TRIED IN 3INGAPORE IN $ECEMBER AND SENTENCED TO YEARS IN JAIL
n /CT
ANNEX )INDD
0RIME -INISTER OF THE 3OCIALIST 2EPUBLIC OF 6IETNAM 0HAM 6AN $ONG VISITED 3INGAPORE
n .OV 6ICE 0REMIER OF THE 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA $ENG 8IAOPING VISITED 3INGAPORE
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
$EC
6IETNAM INVADED #AMBODIA OVERTHREW THE +HMER 2OUGE REGIME AND INSTALLED A PRO 6IETNAM GOVERNMENT 4HIS TRIGGERED A COLLECTIVE RESPONSE BY !3%!. AT THE 5NITED .ATIONS AND IN OTHER REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FORUMS !3%!.S TWIN OBJECTIVE OF LIBERATING #AMBODIA FROM THE RULE OF 6IETNAM AND THE +HMER 2OUGE WAS EVENTUALLY ACHIEVED AT THE 0ARIS 0EACE #ONFERENCE OF
&EB
#HINA INVADED 6IETNAM AS A REPRISAL FOR 6IETNAMS INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF #AMBODIA 4HE WAR LASTED DAYS AND CAUSED THE DEATH OF ABOUT SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS ON BOTH SIDES
&EB !T THE 3ECURITY #OUNCIL MEETING IN .EW 9ORK 3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS SAID THAT THE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT WOULD GIVE ITS SUPPORT TO EFFORTS BY THE 3ECURITY #OUNCIL TO lND A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE CONmICTS BETWEEN $EMOCRATIC +AMPUCHEA AND 6IETNAM AND BETWEEN #HINA AND 6IETNAM 4HE !3%!. DRAFT RESOLUTION WAS AT THE REQUEST OF .IGERIA PUT TO THE VOTE BUT FAILED BECAUSE OF THE 3OVIET 5NIONS VETO
-AYn *UN
ANNEX )INDD
4HE 5NITED .ATIONS #ONFERENCE ON 4RADE AND $EVELOPMENT 5.#4!$ HELD ITS lFTH SESSION IN -ANILA !3%!. TOOK ITS COMPLAINT AGAINST !USTRALIAS PROTECTIONIST CIVIL AVIATION POLICY TO 5.#4!$ 6 5.#4!$ ADOPTED A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE !3%!. STAND
n -AY 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL +URT 7ALDHEIM VISITED 3INGAPORE AND HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW CONCERNING THE CONmICT IN #AMBODIA AND THE 6IETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
!-
"OOFY *
n -AY
! REGIONALISATION FORUM WAS HELD TO DISCUSS ISSUES RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF OVERSEAS VENTURE AND TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK FOR THE 2EPORT OF THE #OMMITTEE TO 0ROMOTE %NTERPRISE /VERSEAS CHAIRED BY -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR &INANCE 4EO #HEE (EAN 4HE FORUM WAS COMMISSIONED BY 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY -INISTER $HANABALAN AND ENDORSED BY THE #ABINET 4HE FORUM ENDORSED 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EWS CALL FOR THE 3INGAPORE ECONOMY TO ENGAGE THE REGION AND TO GROW A SECOND WING
*UN 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE #ONVENTION ON THE )NTERNATIONAL -ARITIME 3ATELLITE /RGANISATION ).-!23!4 AS AMENDED ).-!23!4 #
n *UL
4HE lRST 5NITED .ATIONS -EETING ON 2EFUGEES AND $ISPLACED 0ERSONS IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA WAS HELD IN 'ENEVA 4HE CONFERENCE HELPED TO PERSUADE 6IETNAM TO NOT ENCOURAGE ITS REFUGEES TO mEE 6IETNAM BY BOATS WHICH HAD CAUSED A CRISIS IN THE RECEIVING STATES 6IETNAM AGREED TO WORK WITH THE 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSION FOR 2EFUGEES 5.(#2 FOR THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE OF REFUGEES 3INGAPORE PRODUCED A PAGE BOOKLET ENTITLED h6IETNAM AND THE 2EFUGEESv WHICH WAS DISTRIBUTED AT THE CONFERENCE
$EC
-ALAYSIA GAVE 3INGAPORE A NEW MAP CLAIMING 0EDRA "RANCA TO BE -ALAYSIAN TERRITORY
$EC
4HE 3OVIET 5NION INVADED !FGHANISTAN OVERTHREW THE GOVERNMENT AND INSTALLED A PRO 3OVIET GOVERNMENT
*AN
5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL HELD AN EMERGENCY DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN !FGHANISTAN 3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
.EW 9ORK SAID h-Y DELEGATION JOINS OTHERS IN DEMANDING lRST THE WITHDRAWAL OF 3OVIET FORCES FROM !FGHANISTAN SECOND THE CESSATION OF 3OVIET INTERFERENCE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF !FGHANISTAN AND THIRD RESPECT BY THE 3OVIET 5NION AND ALL OTHER STATES FOR THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY SOVEREIGNTY AND POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE OF !FGHANISTANv
*UN
-R 3 $HANABALAN SUCCEEDED 2AJARATNAM AS THE &OREIGN -INISTER 2AJARATNAM WAS APPOINTED 3ECOND $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER &OREIGN !FFAIRS
3EP
3INGAPORE SENT A 4HIRD 0ERSON .OTE TO -ALAYSIA PROTESTING AGAINST -ALAYSIAS CLAIM TO 0EDRA "RANCA
3EP
-&! PUBLISHED A PAGE BOOKLET ENTITLED h&ROM 0HNOM 0ENH TO +ABULv )T WAS DISTRIBUTED IN 3INGAPORE AND OVERSEAS AND AT INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEETINGS
-AR 4OMMY +OH WAS ELECTED 0RESIDENT OF THE 4HIRD 5NITED .ATIONS #ONFERENCE ON THE ,AW OF THE 3EA 5.#,/3 SUCCEEDING (AMILTON 3HIRLEY !MARASINGHE OF 3RI ,ANKA WHO HAD PASSED AWAY
-AR
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION FOR THE 3AFETY OF ,IFE AT 3EA AS AMENDED 3/,!3
n *UL
4HE 5NITED .ATIONS CONVENED THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONFERENCE ON +AMPUCHEA IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE TERRITORIAL OCCUPATION OF +AMPUCHEA BY 6IETNAMESE FORCES 4HE CONFERENCE WAS HOWEVER BOYCOTTED BY 6IETNAM THE 3OVIET 5NION AND THEIR ALLIES
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
ANNEX )INDD
n 3EP
4HE LEADERS OF THE THREE #AMBODIAN FACTIONS 0RINCE 3IHANOUK 3ON 3ANN AND +HIEU 3AMPHAN HELD A MEETING IN 3INGAPORE AND SIGNED A DECLARATION TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT
!PR
4HE 4HIRD 5NITED .ATIONS #ONFERENCE ON THE ,AW OF THE 3EA 5.#,/3 WAS CONCLUDED IN .EW 9ORK
*UL
-R #HAN +AI 9AU $IRECTOR OF %DUCATION OF 3INGAPORE ASSUMED HIS DUTIES AS THE lRST !3%!. 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL FROM 3INGAPORE (E SERVED A TWO YEAR TERM WHICH ENDED ON *UL
$EC 4HE 5NITED .ATIONS #ONVENTION ON THE ,AW OF THE 3EA 5.#,/3 WAS OPENED FOR SIGNATURE IN -ONTEGO "AY *AMAICA
3EP 3OVIET SHOOTING DOWN OF +OREAN !IRLINES &LIGHT KILLING 3INGAPORE STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE 3OVIET 5NION ACTION AT 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL MEETING ON 3EPTEMBER 3EP !3%!. &OREIGN -INISTERS JOINTLY ISSUED AN h!PPEAL FOR #AMBODIAN )NDEPENDENCEv
-AR )NTRUSION OF 6IETNAMESE FORCES INTO 4HAILAND /N -ARCH -&! ISSUED A STATEMENT THAT 3INGAPORE STRONGLY DEPLORED THE INTRUSION AS IT VIOLATED 4HAILANDS SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY *UN
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE 0ROTOCOL OF RELATING TO THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION FOR THE 3AFETY OF ,IFE AT 3EA AS AMENDED 3/,!3 02/4
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
*UL
*OINT STATEMENT ISSUED IN +UALA ,UMPUR BY !3%!. &OREIGN -INISTERS ON THE +AMPUCHEAN PROBLEM !3%!. CALLED ON 6IETNAM TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TO ITS PROPOSALS FOR A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT
/CT
0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW PAID AN OFlCIAL VISIT TO THE 5NITED 3TATES (E ADDRESSED A *OINT -EETING OF THE #ONGRESS ON /CT
!UG
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE #ONVENTION ON THE 2ECOGNITION AND %NFORCEMENT OF &OREIGN !RBITRAL !WARDS CONCLUDED ON *UNE IN .EW 9ORK THE .EW 9ORK #ONVENTION
n .OV
#HIAM (ERZOG 0RESIDENT OF THE 3TATE OF )SRAEL VISITED 3INGAPORE AT THE INVITATION OF 0RESIDENT 7EE +IM 7EE (IS VISIT LED TO PROTESTS BY -ALAYSIA AND )NDONESIA AND A TEMPORARY DOWNTURN IN 3INGAPORES RELATIONS WITH THESE TWO COUNTRIES
ANNEX )INDD
$EC
-&! MOVED FROM #ITY (ALL TO 2AFmES #ITY
*AN 4HE 3INGAPORE EMBASSY IN 7ASHINGTON ISSUED A STATEMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF 3INGAPORE WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DECISION TO GRADUATE 3INGAPORE FROM THE 5NITED 3TATES 'ENERALISED 3YSTEM OF 0REFERENCES '30 PROGRAMME WITH EFFECT FROM *ANUARY 4HIS CONTRAVENED AN ASSURANCE GIVEN TO 3INGAPORE BY THE THEN 5NITED 3TATES 4RADE 2EPRESENTATIVE #LAYTON 9UETTER
!-
"OOFY *
-AR
-INISTRY OF #OMMUNICATIONS AND )NFORMATION PUBLISHED A PAGE BOOKLET ENTITLED h3INGAPORE AND THE &OREIGN 0RESSv DESCRIBING THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS WHICH LED TO THE RESTRICTION ORDERS ON 4IME MAGAZINE !SIAN 7ALL 3TREET *OURNAL !SIAWEEK AND THE &AR %ASTERN %CONOMIC 2EVIEW
-AY 4HE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT REQUESTED THE 5NITED 3TATES TO RECALL -R % -ASON (ENDRICKSON &IRST 3ECRETARY 0OLITICAL IN THE 5NITED 3TATES EMBASSY IN 3INGAPORE
-AY 4HE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT NOTED WITH REGRET THAT THE 5NITED 3TATES GOVERNMENT HAD ASKED FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF -R 2OBERT #HUA &IRST 3ECRETARY 0OLITICAL IN THE 3INGAPORE EMBASSY IN 7ASHINGTON $# WITHOUT GIVING ANY REASON
*UL
3INGAPORE SIGNED THE $ECLARATION FOR THE !DVANCEMENT OF 7OMEN IN THE !3%!. REGION
n *UL )NDONESIA HOSTED THE lRST *AKARTA )NFORMAL -EETING *)- FOR ALL BELLIGERENT PARTIES IN #AMBODIA IN *AKARTA
n *UL
/FlCIAL VISIT BY 9ANG DI 0ERTUAN !GUNG OF -ALAYSIA 3ULTAN -AHMOOD )SKANDAR )T WAS THE lRST VISIT BY A -ALAYSIAN +ING SINCE 3INGAPORES INDEPENDENCE
3EP
3ENIOR -INISTER 3 2AJARATNAM STEPS DOWN FROM POLITICAL OFlCE IN THE 'ENERAL %LECTIONS
3EP
-R 7ONG +AN 3ENG SUCCEEDED $HANABALAN AS &OREIGN -INISTER
$EC
3INGAPORE WAS ELECTED FOR THE lRST TIME TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS #OMMITTEE ON #ONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE TRIENNIUM n
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
*AN
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE 6IENNA #ONVENTION ON THE 0ROTECTION OF THE /ZONE ,AYER AND THE -ONTREAL 0ROTOCOL ON 3UBSTANCES THAT $EPLETE THE /ZONE ,AYER 4HE -ONTREAL 0ROTOCOL CONTAINS INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS GOVERNING THE TRADE PRODUCTION AND USE OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES AND TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST NON COMPLYING STATES
n &EB
4HE 3ECOND *AKARTA )NFORMAL -EETING *)- ON #AMBODIA WAS HELD IN *AKARTA 4HIS MEETING HELPED TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE CONVENING OF THE 0ARIS #ONFERENCE
n -AR
&IRST MEETING OF ALL 3INGAPORES (EADS OF -ISSION IN 3INGAPORE FOR A REVIEW OF FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY
-AY
3INGAPORE SENT ITS lRST 5NITED .ATIONS PEACEKEEPING CONTINGENT TO .AMIBIA AT THE INVITATION OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS TO OVERSEE .AMIBIAS TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY OF COLONIAL RULE 5NITED .ATIONS 4RANSITION !SSISTANCE 'ROUP 5.4!'
n *UN
3ECOND 'ENEVA #ONFERENCE ON )NDOCHINESE REFUGEES
*ULn !UG
3INGAPORE PARTICIPATED IN THE lRST SESSION OF THE 0ARIS #ONFERENCE ON #AMBODIA
n /CT
3TATE VISIT BY (- 1UEEN %LIZABETH )) AND (2( $UKE OF %DINBURGH
/CT
(EADS OF 'OVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENTS INVITATION TO VISIT 3INGAPORE BEFORE OR AFTER THE #OMMONWEALTH (EADS OF 'OVERNMENT -EETING IN +UALA ,UMPUR FROM n /CTOBER
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
.OV
"ERLIN 7ALL FELL AND WITH IT THE #OLD 7AR ENDED 4HE END OF THE #OLD 7AR CAUSED A REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE TO WORLD POLITICS
*AN 0ACIlC %CONOMIC #OOPERATION #OUNCIL 0%## ESTABLISHED ITS 3ECRETARIAT IN 3INGAPORE $R (ANK ,IM A 3INGAPORE ECONOMICS PROFESSOR WAS APPOINTED AS ITS lRST $IRECTOR 'ENERAL
-AR
4OMMY +OH WAS ELECTED AS #HAIRMAN OF THE 0REPARATORY #OMMITTEE FOR THE 5NITED .ATIONS #ONFERENCE ON %NVIRONMENT AND $EVELOPMENT 5.#%$
!UG
6ISIT TO 3INGAPORE BY 0REMIER OF THE 3TATE #OUNCIL OF THE 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA ,I 0ENG 4HIS VISIT TOOK PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN #HINA AND 3INGAPORE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THEM
3EP
.EGOTIATIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN #HINA AND 3INGAPORE WERE SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED AT $IAO 9U 4AI IN "EIJING AFTER THREE ROUNDS 4HE #HINESE DELEGATION WAS LED BY 8U $UNXIN AND THE 3INGAPORE DELEGATION WAS LED BY 4OMMY +OH
/CT
3INGAPORE ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA AT A CEREMONY AT THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN .EW 9ORK 4HE CEREMONY WAS OFlCIATED BY #HINESE &OREIGN -INISTER 1IAN 1ICHEN AND &OREIGN -INISTER 7ONG +AN 3ENG
.OV
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION FOR THE 0REVENTION OF 0OLLUTION FROM 3HIPS AS AMENDED BY 0ROTOCOL OF -!20/, 3INGAPORE DEPOSITED THE )NSTRUMENT OF !CCESSION ON
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
-AY AT THE )-/ AND BECAME PARTY TO !NNEX )6 OF THIS CONVENTION 3INGAPORE HAS NOW ACCEDED TO ALL SIX !NNEXES OF THE -!20/, #ONVENTION AN ACHIEVEMENT SHARED BY FEW COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
.OV
0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW AND 5NITED 3TATES 6ICE 0RESIDENT $AN 1UAYLE SIGNED A -EMORANDUM OF 5NDERSTANDING -/5 IN 4OKYO PERMITTING 5NITED 3TATES ARMED FORCES THE USE OF MILITARY FACILITIES IN 3INGAPORE
.OV
0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW SIGNED 7ATER AND 'AS AGREEMENTS WITH -ALAYSIA IN +UALA ,UMPUR
.OV
-R 'OH #HOK 4ONG SUCCEEDED ,EE +UAN 9EW AS THE 0RIME -INISTER ,EE +UAN 9EW WAS APPOINTED 3ENIOR -INISTER
n *AN 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONGS lRST OFlCIAL VISIT TO -ALAYSIA AS 0RIME -INISTER
!PRIL
4HE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED A 5NITED .ATIONS INVITATION FOR 3INGAPORE TO SEND A SEVEN MEMBER 3!& TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 5NITED .ATIONS )RAQ +UWAIT /BSERVER -ISSION 5.)+/- 4HIS REmECTED 3INGAPORES STRONG SUPPORT FOR 5NITED .ATIONS EFFORTS TO BRING MORE DURABLE PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE 'ULF REGION
*UN
!T THE REQUEST OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS THE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT ACCEDED TO REQUESTS BY THE 5NITED .ATIONS TO PROVIDE MILITARY OBSERVERS AND POLICE OFlCERS TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS !NGOLA 6ERIlCATION -ISSION 5.!6%- )) AND THE 5NITED .ATIONS -ISSION IN 7ESTERN 3AHARA -).523/
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
!UG
%STABLISHMENT OF THE 3INGAPORE )NTERNATIONAL &OUNDATION 3)& TO FURTHER 3INGAPORES GLOBALISATION POLICY
3EP
-&! ISSUED A PRESS STATEMENT STATING THAT 0EDRA "RANCA WAS PART OF THE TERRITORY OF 3INGAPORE SINCE S FOLLOWING CLAIMS BY -ALAYSIAN 5-./ POLITICAL LEADERS IN *OHORE THAT IT BELONGED TO THE 3TATE OF *OHORE
/CT
3INGAPORES $IRECTOR 'ENERAL OF THE #IVIL !VIATION !UTHORITY OF 3INGAPORE -R ,IM (OCK 3AN WAS ELECTED lRST #HAIRMAN FOR A TWO YEAR TERM OF THE !IRPORTS !SSOCIATION #OUNCIL )NTERNATIONAL !!#) AT ITS lRST WORLD ASSEMBLY IN .EW /RLEANS )T WAS A RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF 3INGAPORE AND THE !SIA 0ACIlC REGION IN INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION
/CT
4HE 0ARIS 0EACE !GREEMENTS ON #AMBODIA WERE SIGNED IN 0ARIS &RANCE &OREIGN -INISTER 7ONG +AN 3ENG SIGNED THE AGREEMENTS ON BEHALF OF 3INGAPORE
*AN
4ECHNICAL #OOPERATION $IRECTORATE 4#$ WAS SET UP IN THE -&! 6ARIOUS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES UNDER THE 3INGAPORE #OOPERATION 0ROGRAMME WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER IN THIS NEW $IRECTORATE
n *AN
3INGAPORE HOSTED THE FOURTH !3%!. 3UMMIT WHICH AGREED TO LAUNCH NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE !3%!. &REE 4RADE !REA !&4!
-AR
3INGAPORE SENT A MEN CONTINGENT TO BE PART OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS 4RANSITIONAL !UTHORITY IN #AMBODIA 5.4!# TO DEMONSTRATE ITS COMMITMENT TO PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE #AMBODIAN PROBLEM
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
-AY
3INGAPORE INITIATED THE &ORUM ON 3MALL 3TATES &/33 AT THE 5NITED .ATIONS TO FOCUS SUPPORT FOR SMALLER COUNTRIES CANDIDATURES IN VARIOUS 5NITED .ATIONS ELECTIONS ! CORE GROUP OF COUNTRIES MET AT THE 3INGAPORE -ISSION IN .EW 9ORK
n *UN
4HE 5NITED .ATIONS #ONFERENCE ON %NVIRONMENT AND $EVELOPMENT %ARTH 3UMMIT WAS HELD IN 2IO DE *ANEIRO "RAZIL 4OMMY +OH WAS ELECTED #HAIRMAN OF THE -AIN #OMMITTEE
*UN
3INGAPORE SIGNED THE #ONVENTION ON "IOLOGICAL $IVERSITY
3EP
3INGAPORE WAS SELECTED TO HOST THE !SIA 0ACIlC %CONOMIC #OOPERATION !0%# 3ECRETARIAT 4HIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE "ANGKOK $ECLARATION ON !0%# )NSTITUTIONAL !RRANGEMENTS AT THE &OURTH !0%# -INISTERIAL -EETING
*AN 3INGAPORE SIGNED THE #ONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTION STOCKPILING AND USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION
&EB
n !PR
3INGAPORE HOSTED A MEETING BETWEEN THE REPRESENTATIVES OF #HINA AND 4AIWAN LED BY -R 7ANG $AOHAN AND -R +OO 4SIEN &U RESPECTIVELY TO DISCUSS CROSS STRAITS RELATIONS
n *UN
!T THE 7ORLD #ONFERENCE ON (UMAN 2IGHTS HELD IN 6IENNA !USTRIA THE !SIAN 'ROUP INCLUDING *APAN ADOPTED A COMMON POSITION WHICH WAS OPPOSED BY THE 7EST "ILAHARI +AUSIKAN $IRECTOR OF %AST !SIA
ANNEX )INDD
4HE !0%# 3ECRETARIAT WAS SET UP IN 3INGAPORE
!-
"OOFY *
AND 0ACIlC !FFAIRS SUBSEQUENTLY PUBLISHED A PAPER ENTITLED h!SIAS DIFFERENT STANDARDv IN THE 5NITED 3TATES PUBLICATION &OREIGN 0OLICY .O &ALL EXPLAINING THE !SIAN PERSPECTIVE
!UG
4OMMY +OH WAS APPOINTED BY THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL AS HIS 3PECIAL %NVOY ON A 0EACE -ISSION TO 2USSIA %STONIA ,ATVIA AND ,ITHUANIA
3EP
-ALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT OFlCIALLY INFORMED 3INGAPORE THAT THEY HAD DECIDED TO CO LOCATE THEIR #USTOMS )MMIGRATION AND 1UARANTINE #)1 WITH 3INGAPORE AT THE 7OODLANDS CHECKPOINT BUT THEY LATER CHANGED THEIR MIND ON *UNE
/CT
3INGAPORE WAS ELECTED TO THE #OUNCIL OF THE )NTERNATIONAL -ARITIME /RGANISATION )-/
n .OV
&IRST !0%# %CONOMIC ,EADERS -EETING HELD AT "LAKE )SLAND 7ASHINGTON 3TATE 5NITED 3TATES HOSTED BY 0RESIDENT "ILL #LINTON
ANNEX )INDD
*AN
0ROFESSOR 3 *AYAKUMAR SUCCEEDED 7ONG +AN 3ENG AS &OREIGN -INISTER
-AY
!MERICAN -ICHAEL &AY RECEIVED FOUR STROKES OF CANING FOR VANDALISM NAMELY SPRAYING PAINT ON CARS AND THEFT OF ROAD SIGNS /RIGINALLY HE WAS SENTENCED TO RECEIVE SIX STROKES OF THE CANE AND FOUR MONTHS IN JAIL WITH A lNE &OLLOWING AN APPEAL FROM 5NITED 3TATES 0RESIDENT "ILL #LINTON THE NUMBER OF STROKES WAS REDUCED FROM SIX TO FOUR 3INGAPORE 5NITED 3TATES BILATERAL RELATIONS SUFFERED A SERIOUS DETERIORATION DUE TO THIS INCIDENT
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
*UL
4HE &IRST -EETING OF THE !3%!. 2EGIONAL &ORUM !2& WAS HELD IN "ANGKOK 3INGAPORE HAD INITIATED THE IDEA
/CT
$R .OELEEN (EYZER BECAME THE lRST 3INGAPOREAN TO HEAD THE 5NITED .ATIONS $EVELOPMENT &UND FOR 7OMEN 5.)&%-
.OV
3INGAPORE RATIlED THE 5NITED .ATIONS #ONVENTION ON THE ,AW OF THE 3EA 5.#,/3
*AN
)NAUGURATION OF THE 7ORLD 4RADE /RGANISATION 74/ AS THE SUCCESSOR OF '!44 3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN 'ENEVA + +ESAVAPANY WAS ELECTED FOR A ONE YEAR TERM AS #HAIRMAN OF THE 'ENERAL #OUNCIL THE HIGHEST POLICY MAKING BODY OF THE 74/
-AR
&ILIPINA &LOR #ONTEMPLACION WAS EXECUTED BY HANGING IN 3INGAPORE FOR THE MURDER OF &ILIPINA $ELIA -AGA AND FOUR YEAR OLD .ICHOLAS (UANG !LTHOUGH &LOR #ONTEMPLACION NEVER RENOUNCED HER CONFESSION HER EXECUTION AROUSED STRONG PUBLIC FEELINGS AND PROTESTS IN 0HILIPPINES 3INGAPORE 0HILIPPINES BILATERAL RELATIONS WERE SET BACK BY THIS INCIDENT
-AY
3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO SEEK ELECTION FOR A NON PERMANENT SEAT IN THE 3ECURITY #OUNCIL FOR THE PERIOD n
*UN
3INGAPORE RE ESTABLISHED ITS EMBASSY IN 0HNOM 0ENH
!UG
&OREIGN -INISTER *AYAKUMAR SIGNED THE !GREEMENT BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND -ALAYSIA TO DELIMIT PRECISELY THE TERRITORIAL WATERS BOUNDARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
THE 3TRAITS 3ETTLEMENTS AND *OHORE TERRITORIAL WATERS !GREEMENT
!UG
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS #ONVENTION ON THE 0REVENTION AND 0UNISHMENT OF THE #RIME OF 'ENOCIDE .EW 9ORK
/CT
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE #ONVENTION ON THE %LIMINATION OF !LL &ORMS OF $ISCRIMINATION !GAINST 7OMEN #%$!7 AND THE #ONVENTION ON THE 2IGHTS OF THE #HILD #2#
$EC
-&! LAUNCHED THE 3INGAPORE -&! (OMEPAGE ON THE )NTERNET AS PART OF ITS COMMITMENT TO 0UBLIC 3ERVICE FOR THE ST CENTURY 03 AND TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED ABOUT 3INGAPORE AND ITS FOREIGN POLICY
$EC
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE #ONVENTION ON "IOLOGICAL $IVERSITY
*AN 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE "ASEL #ONVENTION ON THE #ONTROL OF 4RANSBOUNDARY -OVEMENTS OF (AZARDOUS 7ASTES AND THEIR $ISPOSAL 4HE CONVENTION OBLIGES PARTIES TO ENSURE THAT SUCH WASTES ARE MANAGED AND DISPOSED OFF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANNER
n -AR
)NAUGURAL !SIA %UROPE 3UMMIT !3%- WAS HELD IN "ANGKOK !3%- WAS lRST CONCEIVED BY 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG IN /CTOBER AS A MECHANISM TO STRENGTHEN LINKS BETWEEN !SIA AND %UROPE
-AR
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE #ONVENTION ON THE 3AFETY OF 5NITED .ATIONS AND !SSOCIATED 0ERSONNEL WHICH WAS ADOPTED BY THE 5NITED .ATIONS 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY ON $ECEMBER 4HE #ONVENTION IS INTENDED TO
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
PROTECT 5NITED .ATIONS AND ASSOCIATED PERSONNEL THEIR EQUIPMENT AND PREMISES FROM BEING MADE THE OBJECT OF ATTACK OR ANY ACTION THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM DISCHARGING THEIR MANDATE
n -AY
)NAUGURAL !3%!. %5 %UROPEAN 5NION 3ENIOR /FlCIALS -EETING 3/- IN 3INGAPORE TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP
n $EC
3INGAPORE HOSTED THE lRST 74/ 7ORLD 4RADE /RGANISATION -INISTERIAL #ONFERENCE 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY -INISTER 9EO #HEOW 4ONG SERVED AS #HAIRMAN OF THE #ONFERENCE
*AN 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION ON -ARITIME 3EARCH AND 2ESCUE 3!2
n &EB
3INGAPORE HOSTED THE lRST !SIA %UROPE -EETING !3%- &OREIGN -INISTERS -EETING
&EB
4HE !SIA %UROPE &OUNDATION !3%& WAS LAUNCHED 4OMMY +OH WAS ELECTED AS ITS lRST %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR
-AR
,AUNCH OF THE BOOK ON 3INGAPORE #OOPERATION 0ROGRAMME (ELPING (ANDS -AKING &RIENDS IN .EW 9ORK BY 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS "ILAHARI +AUSIKAN
-AY
3INGAPORE SIGNED A -EMORANDUM OF 5NDERSTANDING -/5 WITH THE 5NITED .ATIONS ON 3INGAPORES CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3TANDBY !RRANGEMENTS IN .EW 9ORK TO FORMALISE ITS COMMITMENT 3INGAPORE HAS SINCE *ANUARY SUBSCRIBED TO THE 3TANDBY !RRANGEMENTS WHICH REQUIRED COUNTRIES SUBSCRIBING TO IT TO PROVIDE
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
THE 5NITED .ATIONS WITH A LIST OF TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT WHICH IT CAN DEPLOY AT SHORT NOTICE FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
-AY
3INGAPORE RATIlED THE #ONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTION STOCKPILING AND USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION ALSO KNOWN AS h4HE #HEMICAL 7EAPONS #ONVENTIONv #7# IN .EW 9ORK
-AY
3INGAPORE RATIlED THE 5NITED .ATIONS &RAMEWORK #ONVENTION ON #LIMATE #HANGE 5.&###
*UL
4HE !SIAN lNANCIAL CRISIS BEGAN WITH A SUCCESSFUL ATTACK AGAINST THE 4HAI BAHT 4HE COLLAPSE OF THE BAHT IN TURN AFFECTED THE -ALAYSIAN RINGGIT THE )NDONESIAN RUPIAH THE &ILIPINO PESO AND THE +OREAN WON 4HE CRISIS EVENTUALLY CAUSED THE DOWNFALL OF 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO AND CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT IN 4HAILAND AND +OREA
3EP 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE 0ROTOCOL OF TO AMEND THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION ON #IVIL ,IABILITY FOR /IL 0OLLUTION $AMAGE #,# 02/4
3EP
3INGAPORE AND THE )NTERNATIONAL -ONETARY &UND )-& AGREED TO ESTABLISH AN )-& 3INGAPORE 2EGIONAL 4RAINING )NSTITUTE 34) IN 3INGAPORE -&! WILL ORGANISE JOINT TRAINING COURSES WITH THE )-& UNDER THE 3INGAPORE #OOPERATION 0ROGRAMME
/CT
0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND 0RESIDENT 3UHARTO AGREED IN *AKARTA THAT 3INGAPORE WOULD HELP TO SUPPLEMENT THE )-& EFFORT TO RESTORE CONlDENCE IN THE )NDONESIAN ECONOMY
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
.OV
-INISTER FOR &INANCE 2ICHARD (U MET WITH *APANESE 6ICE &INANCE -INISTER 3AKAKIBARA AND )NDONESIAN &INANCE -INISTER -ARIE -UHAMMAD IN *AKARTA 4HE &INANCE -INISTERS OF 3INGAPORE AND *APAN REITERATED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO EXTEND LOANS TO )NDONESIA IN THE AMOUNT OF 53 BILLION EACH 4HIS LOAN WAS EXTENDED AS A STAND BY FACILITY AND TO SUPPORT BALANCE OF PAYMENTS WHENEVER IT IS REQUIRED 4HIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE RESOURCES ORGANISED BY )-&
$EC 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO 0ROTOCOL OF TO AMEND THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION ON THE %STABLISHMENT OF AN )NTERNATIONAL &UND FOR #OMPENSATION FOR /IL 0OLLUTION $AMAGE &5.$ 02/4
&EB
3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 7ORLD 4RADE /RGANISATION 74/ 3EE #HAK -UN WAS APPOINTED #HAIRMAN OF THE 74/ #OMMITTEE OF 4RADE AND %NVIRONMENT
!PR 3INGAPORES 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND -ALAYSIAN 0RIME -INISTER -AHATHIR -OHAMAD JOINTLY OPENED THE SECOND CROSSING BRIDGE LINKING 4UAS IN 3INGAPORE TO 'ELANG 0ETAH IN *OHORE
-AY 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION ON 3TANDARDS OF 4RAINING #ERTIlCATION AND 7ATCHKEEPING FOR 3EAFARERS AS AMENDED 34#7
3EP
ANNEX )INDD
3INGAPORE WAS ELECTED FOR THE lRST TIME TO A TWO YEAR TERM AS A MEMBER OF THE "OARD OF 'OVERNORS OF THE )NTERNATIONAL !TOMIC %NERGY !GENCY )!%! FOR 3OUTH EAST !SIA AND THE 0ACIlC 3%!0
!-
"OOFY *
/CT
3INGAPORES 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN 'ENEVA 3EE #HAK -UN WAS ELECTED 0RESIDENT OF THE 4RADE AND $EVELOPMENT "OARD OF THE #ONFERENCE ON 4RADE AND $EVELOPMENT 5.#4!$ FOR A ONE YEAR TERM
*AN 3INGAPORE SIGNED THE #OMPREHENSIVE .UCLEAR 4EST "AN 4REATY #4"4 IN .EW 9ORK
-AR
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION ON /IL 0OLLUTION 0REPAREDNESS 2ESPONSE AND #OOPERATION /02#
*UN
3INGAPORE HOSTED THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE !3%!. %MINENT 0ERSONS 'ROUP %0' ON 6ISION 4HE %0' WAS ENDORSED BY !3%!. LEADERS AT THE !3%!. 3UMMIT IN (ANOI IN $ECEMBER
3EP
3INGAPORE HOSTED THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE %AST !SIA ,ATIN !MERICA &ORUM %!,!& FOR SENIOR OFlCIALS OF PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES 4HE %!,!& WAS RENAMED THE &ORUM FOR %AST !SIA ,ATIN !MERICA #OOPERATION &%!,!# IN 4HIS WAS ANOTHER INITIATIVE OF 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG WHICH HE PROPOSED IN A PUBLIC LECTURE HE DELIVERED IN #HILE IN
3EP
3INGAPORE AND .EW :EALAND AGREED TO LAUNCH &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT &4! NEGOTIATIONS
3EP
3INGAPORE AND -EXICO AGREED TO LAUNCH &4! NEGOTIATIONS
3EP *OINT PRESS STATEMENT BY -&! AND THE -INISTRY OF $EFENCE SAID THAT THE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 5NITED .ATIONS AUTHORISED -ULTI .ATIONAL FORCE -.& FOR %AST 4IMOR
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
.OV 3INGAPORE WAS RE ELECTED TO THE #OUNCIL OF THE )NTERNATIONAL -ARITIME /RGANISATION )-/ AT ITS ST !SSEMBLY IN ,ONDON 3INGAPORE HAS BEEN A #OUNCIL MEMBER SINCE 4HIS IS THE THIRD TIME 3INGAPORE GARNERED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES AND
.OV 4HE TH PARTICIPANT OF THE 3INGAPORE #OOPERATION 0ROGRAMME 3#0 FROM -ALAWI STARTED HIS TRAINING COURSE
!PR
-R $ILEEP .AIR WAS APPOINTED FOR A lVE YEAR TERM AS THE 5NITED .ATIONS 5NDER 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL FOR )NTERNAL /VERSIGHT 3ERVICES /)/3
-AY 3INGAPORE WAS APPOINTED #HAIRMAN OF THE #OUNCIL OF 4RADE 2ELATED !SPECTS OF )NTELLECTUAL 0ROPERTY 2IGHTS 42)0S
*UN
3INGAPORE AND #ANADA AGREED TO LAUNCH &4! NEGOTIATIONS
*UL
3INGAPORE WAS ELECTED TO CHAIR THE RD 3ESSION OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS #OMMISSION ON )NTERNATIONAL 4RADE ,AW 5.#)42!, 4HIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT 3INGAPORE HAS HELD THE #HAIR OF 5.#)42!, 3INGAPORE HAS PLAYED A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW
3EP
&OREIGN !FFAIRS -INISTER *AYAKUMAR SIGNED THE /PTIONAL 0ROTOCOL TO THE #ONVENTION ON THE 2IGHTS OF THE #HILD #2# ON THE )NVOLVEMENT OF #HILDREN IN !RMED #ONmICT AT THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN .EW 9ORK
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
/CT
3INGAPORE WAS ELECTED AS A NON PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL 5.3# AT THE TH SESSION OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY FOR A TWO YEAR TERM STARTING *ANUARY
/CT
*APAN AND 3INGAPORE LAUNCHED &4! NEGOTIATIONS
.OV
3IGNING OF !GREEMENT BETWEEN .EW :EALAND AND 3INGAPORE ON A #LOSER %CONOMIC 0ARTNERSHIP !.:3#%0 BY 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND 0RIME -INISTER (ELEN #LARK IN 3INGAPORE 4HIS IS 3INGAPORES lRST BILATERAL &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT
.OV !USTRALIA AND 3INGAPORE LAUNCHED &4! NEGOTIATIONS
.OV 0RESIDENT "ILL #LINTON AND 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AGREED TO LAUNCH A 53 3INGAPORE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 533&4! AT THE !0%# ,EADERS -EETING IN "RUNEI
ANNEX )INDD
.OV 3INGAPORE HOSTED THE FOURTH !3%!. )NFORMAL 3UMMIT 4HE 3UMMIT ENDORSED 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONGS PROPOSAL FOR AN !3%!. PROGRAMME CALLED h)NITIATIVE FOR !3%!. )NTEGRATIONv )!) PRIMARILY AIMED AT DEVELOPING THE HUMAN RESOURCES OF THE NEWER !3%!. COUNTRIES NAMELY #AMBODIA ,AOS -YANMAR AND 6IETNAM AND TO NARROW THE GAP BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW MEMBERS 3INGAPORE OPENED A TRAINING CENTRE IN EACH OF THESE COUNTRIES
*AN
3INGAPORE BEGAN ITS lRST TWO YEAR TERM IN THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL AND BECAME 0RESIDENT OF THE #OUNCIL FOR *ANUARY 3INGAPORE LAUNCHED AN INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE #OUNCIL AND THE TROOP CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
-AR
)NAUGURAL &ORUM FOR %AST !SIA ,ATIN !MERICA #OOPERATION &%!,!# -INISTERIAL -EETING WAS HELD IN 3ANTIAGO #HILE
-AY
4HE %UROPEAN &REE 4RADE !REA %&4! LAUNCHED &4! NEGOTIATIONS WITH 3INGAPORE )T IS A FREE TRADE AREA CONSISTING OF 3WITZERLAND )CELAND ,IECHTENSTEIN AND .ORWAY
-AY
-&! MOVED FROM 2AFmES #ITY TO ITS NEW PURPOSE BUILT PREMISES ON 3HERWOOD 2OAD IN 4ANGLIN
-AY
3INGAPORES !MBASSADOR TO 'ERMANY 7ALTER 7OON SIGNED THE 3TOCKHOLM #ONVENTION ON 0ERSISTENT /RGANIC 0OLLUTANTS IN 3TOCKHOLM
*UN
!MARJEET 3INGH 3INGAPORES FORMER *UDICIAL #OMMISSIONER WAS ELECTED AD LITEM JUDGE TO THE )NTERNATIONAL 4RIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER 9UGOSLAVIA FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM 4HE ELECTION WAS HELD AT THE 5NITED .ATIONS IN .EW 9ORK
*UN 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO ),/ #ONVENTION ON 7ORST &ORMS OF #HILD ,ABOUR WHICH REQUIRES MEMBER STATES TO TAKE IMMEDIATE MEASURES TO SECURE THE ELIMINATION OF THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOUR SUCH AS CHILD SLAVERY PROSTITUTION AND OTHER ILLICIT ACTIVITIES
*UL
3INGAPORE #ONSULATE IN -EDAN CEASED OPERATIONS 3ERVICES WERE UNDERTAKEN BY THE #ONSULATE IN 0EKANBARU WHICH OPENED ON !PRIL
3EP
4ERRORISTS AFlLIATED TO !L 1AEDA HIJACKED TWO CIVILIAN AIRLINES AND CRASHED THEM INTO THE 7ORLD 4RADE #ENTRE IN .EW 9ORK THEREBY DESTROYING THE TWIN TOWERS 4HE 0ENTAGON BUILDING IN 7ASHINGTON WAS ALSO ATTACKED
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
4HIS EVENT HAS CAUSED THE 53 TO LAUNCH A GLOBAL WAR AGAINST TERROR )T HAS ALSO FUNDAMENTALLY ALTERED THE COURSE OF 53 FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICIES
3EP
4WO SEPARATE SERVICES WERE HELD AS A MARK OF RESPECT FOR THOSE WHO DIED IN THE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE 53 ON 3EPTEMBER /NE WAS ORGANISED IN THE AFTERNOON BY THE )NTER 2ELIGIOUS /RGANISATION AT THE 3INGAPORE 3WIMMING #LUB AND THE OTHER WAS ORGANISED IN THE EVENING BY THE !MERICAN !SSOCIATION OF 3INGAPORE AT THE .ATIONAL 3TADIUM PEOPLE ATTENDED THE MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE .ATIONAL 3TADIUM 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND 5NITED 3TATES !MBASSADOR &RANK ,AVIN SPOKE AT THE SERVICE
.OV
!T THE .OVEMBER !3%!. #HINA 3UMMIT THE !3%!. LEADERS AGREED TO LAUNCH NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE !3%!. #HINA &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT !#&4! AND TO ESTABLISH IT WITHIN YEARS
.OV
3INGAPORE RATIlED THE #OMPREHENSIVE .UCLEAR 4EST "AN 4REATY #4"4
.OV &OREIGN -INISTER *AYAKUMAR ATTENDED THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL -INISTERIAL -EETING ON #OUNTER TERRORISM IN .EW 9ORK (E SAID THAT 3INGAPORE STANDS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN THIS CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERRORISM
.OV
ANNEX )INDD
-R #HEN 4ZE 0ENN $IRECTOR 'ENERAL -ARITIME AND 0ORT !UTHORITY -0! WAS ELECTED AS #HAIRMAN OF THE )NTERNATIONAL -ARITIME /RGANISATION )-/ #OUNCIL FOR A TWO YEAR TERM (E WAS THE lRST 3INGAPOREAN TO BE ELECTED AS #HAIRMAN
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
$EC 3INGAPORE SIGNED THE )NTERNATIONAL #ONVENTION FOR THE 3UPPRESSION OF THE &INANCING OF 4ERRORISM
*AN
0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND *APANESE 0RIME -INISTER *UNICHIRO +OIZUMI SIGNED THE *APAN 3INGAPORE %CONOMIC !GREEMENT FOR A .EW !GE 0ARTNERSHIP *3%0! AT A SIGNING CEREMONY IN 3INGAPORE 4HE AGREEMENT CAME INTO FORCE ON .OVEMBER
-AY
3INGAPORE WAS THE 0RESIDENT OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL AND #HAIRMAN OF THE -ILITARY 3TAFF #OMMITTEE FOR THE MONTH OF -AY
-AY 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO ),/ #ONVENTION ON %QUAL 2EMUNERATION -EMBER STATES THAT HAVE ACCEDED TO THIS COMMIT TO THE PRINCIPLE OF hEQUAL REMUNERATION FOR MEN AND WOMEN WORKERS FOR WORK OF EQUAL VALUEv
*UN
-INISTER FOR 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY 'EORGE 9EO SIGNED THE %&4! 3INGAPORE &4! IN %GILSSTADIR )CELAND 4HE !GREEMENT CAME INTO FORCE ON *ANUARY
n *UL
&IRST -EETING OF "ILATERAL .EGOTIATIONS ON THE 0ACKAGE OF )SSUES BETWEEN -ALAYSIA AND 3INGAPORE HELD IN 0UTRAJAYA -ALAYSIA 4HE 3INGAPORE DELEGATION WAS HEADED BY &OREIGN -INISTER *AYAKUMAR AND THE -ALAYSIAN DELEGATION BY ITS &OREIGN -INISTER 3YED (AMID !LBAR
!UG
-AJOR 'ENERAL 4AN (UCK 'IM ASSUMED DUTIES AS THE &ORCE #OMMANDER FOR 5NITED .ATIONS -ISSION OF 3UPPORT IN %AST 4IMOR 5.-)3%4 (E WAS THE lRST 3INGAPOREAN APPOINTED AS THE &ORCE #OMMANDER OF A 5NITED .ATIONS 0EACEKEEPING &ORCE (E COMPLETED HIS TOUR ON !UG
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
/CT
.EW :EALAND #HILE AND 3INGAPORE LAUNCHED THE 0ACIlC 4HREE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 0&4! AT THE SIDELINES OF THE !0%# %CONOMIC ,EADERS -EETING !%,- IN ,OS #ABOS #HILE 4HE 0&4! IS THE lRST !GREEMENT THAT SPANS THREE CONTINENTS "RUNEI SUBSEQUENTLY JOINED THE TALKS
.OV
4HE &RAMEWORK !GREEMENT &! ON #OMPREHENSIVE %CONOMIC #OOPERATION BETWEEN !3%!. AND THE 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA WAS SIGNED BY LEADERS AT THE !3%!. #HINA 3UMMIT IN 0HNOM 0ENH #AMBODIA 4HE &! MARKS THE lRST STAGE OF TARIFF REDUCTIONS UNDER THE !3%!. #HINA &4! !#&4! UNDER WHICH TARIFFS FOR GOODS WILL BE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED BY FOR !3%!. AND FOR THE NEWER !3%!. COUNTRIES OF #AMBODIA ,AOS -YANMAR AND 6IETNAM
.OV
&OLLOWING AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON .OV BY +OREAN 4RADE -INISTER (WANG $OOYUN THAT 3INGAPORE WAS A hCANDIDATE FOR &4! NEGOTIATIONS AFTER #HILEv AND THAT +OREAN WOULD MAP OUT AN &4! WITH 3INGAPORE A +OREA 3INGAPORE &4! *OINT 3TUDY 'ROUP *3' WAS ESTABLISHED TO DElNE THE SCOPE AND OTHER DETAILS OF THE &4!
*AN
-R /NG +ENG 9ONG BECAME THE SECOND !3%!. 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL FROM 3INGAPORE
*AN
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE #ONVENTION ON THE -ARKING OF 0LASTIC %XPLOSIVES FOR THE 0URPOSE OF $ESTRUCTION WHICH INTER ALIA REQUIRED EACH STATE PARTY TO PROHIBIT AND PREVENT THE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH EXPLOSIVES AND THEIR MOVEMENT IN AND OUT OF ITS TERRITORY
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
&EB
-INISTER FOR 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY 'EORGE 9EO AND THE !USTRALIAN 4RADE -INISTER -ARK 6AILE SIGNED THE 3INGAPORE !USTRALIA &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 3!&4! IN 3INGAPORE 4HE AGREEMENT CAME INTO FORCE ON *ULY
-AR
2EMARKS BY &OREIGN -INISTER *AYAKUMAR ON THE SITUATION IN )RAQ h3INGAPORE HAS TAKEN A CONSISTENT POSITION ON )RAQ SINCE 5.3# 2ESOLUTION OF )T IS IN OUR FUNDAMENTAL NATIONAL INTEREST TO SEE )RAQ DISARMEDv
!PR
3INGAPORE WAS ELECTED TO THE MEMBER #OUNCIL OF THE )NTERNATIONAL #IVIL !VIATION /RGANISATION 0ART )) AT ITS TH !SSEMBLY %XTRAORDINARY 3ESSION IN -ONTREAL #ANADA -ARCHn !PRIL 0ART )) ARE STATES WHICH MAKE THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AIR NAVIGATION 4HE TERM ENDS IN 3EPTEMBER
!PR
3PECIAL !SEAN ,EADERS -EETING ON 3EVERE !CUTE 2ESPIRATORY 3YNDROME 3!23 AND 3PECIAL !3%!. #HINA ,EADERS -EETING ON 3!23 WAS HELD IN "ANGKOK 4HE MEETING AGREED TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION INTENSIFY COOPERATION AND WORK CLOSELY WITH ONE ANOTHER AND WITH 7(/ TO COMBAT THE EPIDEMIC
-AY
4HE 53 3INGAPORE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 533&4! WAS SIGNED BY 0RESIDENT "USH AND 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AT A CEREMONY AT THE 7HITE (OUSE IN 7ASHINGTON $# 4HIS WAS THE lRST &4! BETWEEN THE 53 AND AN !SIAN COUNTRY 4HE AGREEMENT CAME INTO FORCE ON *ANUARY
-AY
3INGAPORE AND -ALAYSIA EXCHANGED INSTRUMENTS OF RATIlCATION OF THE h3PECIAL !GREEMENT FOR 3UBMISSION TO THE )NTERNATIONAL #OURT OF *USTICE OF THE DISPUTE BETWEEN
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
-ALAYSIA AND 3INGAPORE CONCERNING SOVEREIGNTY OVER 0EDRA "RANCA0ULAU "ATU 0UTEH -IDDLE 2OCKS AND 3MITH ,ODGEv IN 0UTRJAYA -ALAYSIA 4HE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED ON &EBRUARY
-AY
.EGOTIATIONS FOR THE )NDIA 3INGAPORE #OMPREHENSIVE %CONOMIC #OOPERATION !GREEMENT #%#! WERE LAUNCHED IN .EW $ELHI
*UN
3INGAPORE AND *ORDAN INITIATED NEGOTIATIONS FOR A BILATERAL &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 4HE 3INGAPORE *ORDAN &4! 3*&4! WAS THE lRST &4! BETWEEN *ORDAN AND AN !SIAN COUNTRY AND BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND A -IDDLE %AST COUNTRY
3EP
3INGAPORES 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND 4HAILANDS 0RIME -INISTER 4HAKSIN 3HINAWATRA AS #HAIR OF !0%# JOINTLY OPENED THE NEW !SIA 0ACIlC %CONOMIC #OOPERATION !0%# 3ECRETARIAT BUILDING IN 3INGAPORE
n 3EP
3INGAPORE AND -ALAYSIA APPEARED BEFORE THE )NTERNATIONAL 4RIBUNAL FOR THE ,AW OF THE 3EA )4,/3 BASED IN (AMBURG 'ERMANY -ALAYSIA HAD REQUESTED THE 4RIBUNAL FOR A PROVISIONAL MEASURE TO ORDER 3INGAPORE TO STOP ITS LAND RECLAMATION WORKS IN THE 3TRAITS OF *OHORE
/CT
)4,/3 DELIVERED A UNANIMOUS JUDGEMENT REJECTING -ALAYSIAS REQUEST BUT ORDERING THE TWO 'OVERNMENTS TO APPOINT A GROUP OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS TO UNDERTAKE A ONE YEAR STUDY OF THE IMPACTS OF THE RECLAMATION
/CT
3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE 0ROTOCOL ON 0REPAREDNESS 2ESPONSE AND #OOPERATION TO 0OLLUTION )NCIDENTS BY (AZARDOUS AND .OXIOUS 3UBSTANCES (.3 /02#
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
n /CT
*AN
%XPLORATORY TALKS BEGAN FOR A #OMPREHENSIVE %CONOMIC 0ARTNERSHIP !GREEMENT #%0! BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND 3RI ,ANKA 4HE #%0! WILL INCLUDE A &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT FOR THE LIBERALISATION OF BILATERAL TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES INVESTMENT LIBERALISATION AND OTHER COOPERATION ELEMENTS
-ALAYSIAN 0RIME -INISTER $ATO 3ERI !BDULLAH (AJI !HMAD "ADAWI MADE HIS lRST VISIT TO 3INGAPORE AS 0RIME -INISTER
&EB 3INGAPORE ACCEDED TO THE #ONVENTION FOR THE 3UPPRESSION OF 5NLAWFUL !CTS AGAINST THE 3AFETY OF -ARITIME .AVIGATION 35!
n &EB
n &EB 0RELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS ON A &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT WITH "AHRAIN WERE HELD AT THE SIDELINES OF 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONGS VISIT TO "AHRAIN 4HIS WAS A RESULT OF THE 0RIME -INISTER OF "AHRAIN 3HAIKH +HALIFA BIN 3ALMAN !L +HALIFAS VISIT TO 3INGAPORE IN /CTOBER $URING THE VISIT HE AND 0RIME -INISTER 'OH AGREED THAT THE TWO COUNTRIES SHOULD ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS TO CONCLUDE AN &4!
ANNEX )INDD
&EB
$URING 0RIME -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONGS VISIT TO %GYPT THE 0RIME -INISTER OF %GYPT !TEF %BIED AND 0RIME -INISTER 'OH AGREED TO LAUNCH NEGOTIATIONS TO CONCLUDE AN &4!
6ISITING 0ANAMANIAN 6ICE 0RESIDENT !RTURO 6ALLARINO AND -INISTER OF #OMMERCE AND )NDUSTRY *OAQUIN *ACOME $IEZ MET WITH -INISTER FOR 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY 'EORGE 9EO IN 3INGAPORE AND BOTH PARTIES AGREED TO INITIATE NEGOTIATIONS FOR A BILATERAL &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT &4!
!-
"OOFY *
-AR
4HE 5NITED .ATIONS APPOINTED FORMER $EPUTY 0ERMANENT 2EPRESENTATIVE IN .EW 9ORK -S #HRISTINE ,EE TO AN EIGHT PERSON !NALYTICAL 3UPPORT AND 3ANCTIONS -ONITORING 4EAM 4HIS IS AN IMPORTANT COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED TO HELP THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL COLLATE ASSESS MONITOR REPORT ON AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURES TO CURTAIL THE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES OF THE 4ALIBAN AND THE !L 1AEDA ORGANISATION
-AY -INISTER OF 3TATE FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS AND 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY 2AYMOND ,IM AND *ORDANIAN $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER AND -INISTER FOR )NDUSTRY AND 4RADE -OHAMMAD (ALAIQA SIGNED THE 3INGAPORE *ORDAN &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 3*&4! AND THE 3INGAPORE *ORDAN "ILATERAL )NVESTMENT 4REATY ")4 IN *ORDAN
n *UL
$EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER ,EE (SIEN ,OONG MADE A PRIVATE AND UNOFlCIAL VISIT TO 4AIWAN TO MEET WITH FRIENDS
!UG
$R !NAMAH 4AN WAS ELECTED TO BECOME THE lRST 3INGAPORE MEMBER OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS #OMMITTEE ON THE #ONVENTION ON THE %LIMINATION OF !LL &ORMS OF $ISCRIMINATION !GAINST 7OMEN #%$!7
!UG
-R 'EORGE 9EO SUCCEEDED *AYAKUMAR AS &OREIGN -INISTER
3EP
3INGAPORE ELECTED TO "OARD OF 'OVERNORS FOR )NTERNATIONAL !TOMIC %NERGY !GENCY )!%! FOR A TWO YEAR TERM AT THE TH 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF THE )!%!
n /CT
3INGAPORE AND +UWAIT AGREED TO LAUNCH NEGOTIATIONS FOR A +UWAIT 3INGAPORE &4!
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
/CT
3INGAPORE WAS RE ELECTED TO THE MEMBER #OUNCIL OF THE )NTERNATIONAL #IVIL !VIATION /RGANISATION 0ART )) AT ITS TH !SSEMBLY 3ESSION IN -ONTREAL #ANADA 3EPTEMBERn /CTOBER 0ART )) ARE STATES WHICH MAKE THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AIR NAVIGATION
.OV
0RIME -INISTER ,EE (SIEN ,OONG AND 0ERUVIAN 0RESIDENT !LEJANDRO 4OLEDO -ANRIQUE ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF THE NEGOTIATONS FOR A BILATERAL &4! BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND 0ERU ON THE SIDELINES OF THE !0%# %CONOMIC ,EADERS
$EC
3ENIOR -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND -ALAYSIAN 0RIME -INISTER !BDULLAH !HMAD "ADAWI AGREED TO MOVE FORWARD ON ISSUES THAT HAD STALLED IN DISCUSSIONS SINCE /CTOBER 4HIS WAS THEIR lRST MEETING SINCE 0RIME -INISTER ,EE (SIEN ,OONG APPOINTED 3ENIOR -INISTER 'OH TO BE 3INGAPORES REPRESENTATIVE ON 3INGAPORE -ALAYSIA BILATERAL ISSUES IN /CTOBER
n $EC
4HE 3TATE OF 1ATAR COMMENCED NEGOTIATIONS ON THE 1ATAR 3INGAPORE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT &4! IN 3INGAPORE
$EC
4HE 3INGAPORE GOVERNMENT INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF HUMANITARIAN RELIEF PACKAGE FOR COUNTRIES HIT BY TSUNAMIS FROM 3 MILLION TO 3 MILLION IN LIGHT OF THE UNPRECEDENTED SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE GRIEF STRICKEN COUNTRIES IN TERMS OF HUMAN LIVES AND PROPERTY
*AN
!S PROPOSED BY 0RIME -INISTER ,EE (SIEN ,OONG )NDONESIA HOSTED IN *AKARTA THE 3PECIAL !3%!. ,EADERS -EETING ON THE AFTERMATH OF THE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI 4HE MEETING WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL +Ol !NNAN AND THE
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
LEADERS OF !USTRALIA #ANADA #HINA &RANCE )NDIA *APAN -ALDIVES .EW :EALAND 3OUTH +OREA 3RI ,ANKA 4IMOR ,ESTE AND THE 5NITED 3TATES
n *AN
0RESIDENT 3 2 .ATHANS VISIT TO 4HAILAND AT THE INVITATION OF (IS -AJESTY +ING "HUMIBOL !DULYADEJ )T WAS THE lRST STATE VISIT TO 4HAILAND BY A 3INGAPORE (EAD OF 3TATE
*AN 3INGAPORE SIGNED THE #ONVENTION ON ,IMITATION OF ,IABILITY FOR -ARITIME #LAIMS ,,-#
*AN 3INGAPORE 0ARLIAMENT PASSED THE $IPLOMATIC AND #ONSULAR 2ELATIONS !CT WHICH COMES INTO EFFECT ON -AY
*AN
3ULTAN OF "RUNEI (AJI (ASSANAL "OLKIAH -UIZZADDIN 7ADDAULAH VISITED 3INGAPORE AND RECEIVED AN (ONORARY $EGREE OF $OCTOR OF ,AWS FROM THE .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE
-AR
3ENIOR -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND -ALAYSIAN 0RIME -INISTER !BDULLAH !HMAD "ADAWI RESUMED TALKS TO EXAMINE OUTSTANDING BILATERAL ISSUES IN MORE DETAIL 4HE MEETING WAS HELD AT 0UTRA *AYA +UALA ,UMPUR
-AR
3INGAPORE -INISTER FOR 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY ,IM (NG +IANG AND 5NITED !RAB %MIRATES 5!% %CONOMIC AND 0LANNING -INISTER 3HEIKHA ,UBNA !L 1ASSIMI SIGNED AN %CONOMIC 4RADE AND 4ECHNICAL #OOPERATION !GREEMENT WHICH WOULD ALSO LEAD TO THE LAUNCH OF NEGOTIATIONS FOR A BILATERAL &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT BETWEEN THE 5!% AND 3INGAPORE
-AR
$EMONSTRATORS VANDALISED AND DEFACED THE MAIN GATE OF THE 3INGAPORE EMBASSY IN *AKARTA OVER THE ALLEGED EXPORT OF TOXIC WASTE TO "ATAM
ANNEX )INDD
!-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
!PR
3INGAPORE AND 0ANAMA CONCLUDED THE BILATERAL &4! NEGOTIATIONS -S #HAN ,AI &UNG #HIEF .EGOTIATOR FOR 3INGAPORE AND 0ANAMAS #HIEF .EGOTIATOR -R %STIF !PARICIO REACHED AN AGREEMENT AT THE END OF THE THIRD ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS IN 3INGAPORE
!PR
,AUNCH OF THE )NDONESIA 3INGAPORE &RIENDSHIP !SSOCIATION )&3!
n !PR
0RIME -INISTER ,EE (SIEN ,OONG ATTENDED THE !SIAN !FRICAN 3UMMIT AND #OMMEMORATION OF THE 'OLDEN *UBILEE OF THE !FRICAN !SIAN 3UMMIT IN "ANDUNG )NDONESIA
!PR
3INGAPORE AND -ALAYSIA SIGNED A 3ETTLEMENT !GREEMENT IN THE #ASE #ONCERNING ,AND 2ECLAMATION BY 3INGAPORE IN AND AROUND THE 3TRAITS OF *OHORE IN A CEREMONY HOSTED BY 3INGAPORE 4HE !GREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY 4AN 3RI !HMAD &UZI (J !BDUL 2AZAK AND 0ROFESSOR 4OMMY +OH THE RESPECTIVE !GENTS OF THE -ALAYSIAN AND 3INGAPORE 'OVERNMENTS AND WITNESSED BY THE TWO &OREIGN -INISTERS 3YED (AMID !LBAR AND 'EORGE 9EO
!PR
!T THE !SIA -IDDLE %AST 3EMINAR HELD ON THE SIDELINES OF THE 7ORLD %CONOMIC &ORUM !SIA 2OUNDTABLE HELD IN 3INGAPORE 3ENIOR -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG AND *ORDANS +ING !BDULLAH URGED ABOUT BUSINESSMEN TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN 3INGAPORE AND THE -IDDLE %AST
-AY
7EE +IM 7EE FOURTH 0RESIDENT OF 3INGAPORE PASSED AWAY (E WAS (E WAS (IGH #OMMISSIONER TO +UALA ,UMPUR -ALAYSIA FROM 3EPTEMBER TO !UGUST AND !MBASSADOR TO 4OKYO *APAN FROM 3EPTEMBER TO !PRIL
ANNEX )INDD
!-
"OOFY *
-AY
3INGAPORE AND )NDONESIA RESOLVED THEIR DISPUTE OVER WHAT )NDONESIA CLAIMED WAS THE EXPORT OF TOXIC WASTE TO "ATAM "OTH SIDES AGREED THAT THERE WAS NO BREACH OF THE "ASEL #ONVENTION AFTER THEIR MEETING AT THE /FlCE OF THE 3ECRETARIAT OF THE "ASEL #ONVENTION IN 'ENEVA
-AY
0RIME -INISTER ,EE (SIEN ,OONG SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS IN 3INGAPORE AHEAD OF HIS VISIT TO *APAN ON n -AY MADE A COMMENT ON *APANESE 0RIME -INISTER *UNICHIRO +OIZUMIS VISIT TO THE 9ASUKUNI 7AR 3HRINE 4HIS LED TO TWO PROTESTS BY *APANESE RIGHT WINGERS AT THE 3INGAPORE EMBASSY IN 4OKYO THE lRST TIME THE %MBASSY HAD SEEN SUCH PROTESTS
-AY
$URING HIS VISIT TO )SRAEL THE HIGHEST RANKING 3INGAPORE LEADER TO VISIT )SRAEL IN YEARS 3ENIOR -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG SIGNED A NEW $OUBLE 4AXATION !VOIDANCE !GREEMENT WITH )SRAEL REPLACING THE ONE SIGNED IN
-AY
3ENIOR -INISTER 'OH #HOK 4ONG VISITED 2AMALLAH THE ADMINISTRATIVE CAPITAL OF THE 0ALESTINIAN .ATIONAL !UTHORITY BECOMING THE lRST 3INGAPORE LEADER TO DO SO (E MET WITH 0ALESTINIAN 0RESIDENT -AHMOUD !BBAS
ANNEX )INDD
n -AY 0RIME -INISTER ,EE (SIEN ,OONG ATTENDED THE TH #ONFERENCE ON h4HE FUTURE OF !SIAv ORGANISED BY .IHON +EIZAI 3HIMBUN IN 4OKYO *APAN )N HIS SPEECH HE SAID THAT 3INGAPORE SUPPORTS *APAN HAVING A PERMANENT SEAT IN THE 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL 5.3# GIVEN ITS INTERNATIONAL INmUENCE AND ITS SIGNIlCANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE REGION AND THE WORLD
!-
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!NNEX )) #OUNTRIES WITH WHICH 3INGAPORE HAS $IPLOMATIC 2ELATIONS !S OF !PRIL 3INGAPORE HAS ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH COUNTRIES
#OUNTRY !LBANIA !LGERIA !NDORRA !NGOLA !RGENTINA !RMENIA !USTRALIA !USTRIA !ZERBAIJAN
$ATE .OVEMBER -AY 3EPTEMBER 3EPTEMBER 3EPTEMBER *ULY !UGUST -ARCH !UGUST
"AHAMAS "AHRAIN "ANGLADESH "ARBADOS "ELARUS "ELGIUM "ELIZE "ENIN "HUTAN "OLIVIA "OSNIA (ERZEGOVINA "OTSWANA "RAZIL "RUNEI "ULGARIA "URKINA &ASO
$ECEMBER *UNE $ECEMBER $ECEMBER !UGUST /CTOBER !UGUST &EBRUARY 3EPTEMBER !UGUST .OVEMBER !UGUST .OVEMBER *ANUARY .OVEMBER -AY
3OURCE $IPLOMATIC AND #ONSULAR ,IST -INISTRY OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS 3INGAPORE
ANNEX ))INDD
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
#AMBODIA #AMEROON #ANADA #APE 6ERDE #HILE #HINA #OLOMBIA #ONGO $EMOCRATIC 2EPUBLIC OF #ONGO 2EPUBLIC OF #OSTA 2ICA #OTE $)VOIRE #ROATIA #UBA #YPRUS #ZECH 2EPUBLIC
!UGUST 3EPTEMBER $ECEMBER /CTOBER *ULY /CTOBER $ECEMBER -ARCH &EBRUARY 3EPTEMBER /CTOBER .OVEMBER !PRIL !PRIL &EBRUARY
$ENMARK $JIBOUTI $OMINICAN 2EPUBLIC
3EPTEMBER 3EPTEMBER &EBRUARY
%AST 4IMOR %CUADOR %GYPT %L 3ALVADOR %RITREA %STONIA %THIOPIA
-AY 3EPTEMBER .OVEMBER !UGUST $ECEMBER &EBRUARY -ARCH
&IJI &INLAND &RANCE
.OVEMBER &EBRUARY .OVEMBER
'EORGIA 'ERMANY 'HANA 'REECE
&EBRUARY .OVEMBER /CTOBER /CTOBER
ANNEX ))INDD
0-
"OOFY **
ANNEX ))INDD
'UATEMALA 'UINEA "ISSAU 'UYANA
$ECEMBER *ULY 3EPTEMBER
(OLY 3EE (ONDURAS (UNGARY
*UNE *ULY !UGUST
)CELAND )NDIA )NDONESIA )RAN )RAQ )RELAND )SRAEL )TALY
-AY !UGUST *UNE -ARCH $ECEMBER $ECEMBER -AY /CTOBER
*AMAICA *APAN *ORDAN
.OVEMBER !PRIL *ULY
+AZAKHSTAN +ENYA +IRIBATI +OREA $EMOCRATIC 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF +OREA 2EPUBLIC OF +UWAIT +YRGYZSTAN
-ARCH 3EPTEMBER 3EPTEMBER .OVEMBER *ULY .OVEMBER !UGUST
,AOS ,ATVIA ,EBANON ,ESOTHO ,IBERIA ,ITHUANIA ,UXEMBOURG
$ECEMBER *UNE -AY *ANUARY *ANUARY /CTOBER -ARCH
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
ANNEX ))INDD
-ACEDONIA -ADAGASCAR -ALAWI -ALAYSIA -ALDIVES -ALI -ALTA -ARSHALL )SLANDS -AURITIUS -EXICO -ICRONESIA -OLDOVA -ONGOLIA -OROCCO -OZAMBIQUE -YANMAR
-AY *ANUARY !UGUST 3EPTEMBER &EBRUARY !UGUST -AY !UGUST /CTOBER $ECEMBER !UGUST *ANUARY *UNE *ANUARY *ULY !PRIL
.AMIBIA .EPAL .ETHERLANDS .EW :EALAND .ICARAGUA .IGER .IGERIA .ORWAY
.OVEMBER -ARCH $ECEMBER .OVEMBER *ANUARY *UNE !PRIL -ARCH
/MAN
&EBRUARY
0AKISTAN 0ALAU 0ANAMA 0APUA .EW 'UINEA 0ARAGUAY 0ERU 0HILIPPINES 0OLAND
!UGUST 3EPTEMBER !UGUST -AY $ECEMBER /CTOBER -AY !PRIL
0-
"OOFY **
ANNEX ))INDD
0ORTUGAL
!UGUST
1ATAR
*ANUARY
2OMANIA 2USSIA 2WANDA
-AY *ANUARY -ARCH
3AINT +ITT AND .EVIS 3AINT ,UCIA 3AINT 6INCENT AND THE 'RENADINES 3AMOA 3AO 4OME AND 0RINCIPE 3AUDI !RABIA 3ENEGAL 3EYCHELLES 3LOVAKIA 3LOVENIA 3OLOMON )SLANDS 3OMALIA 3OUTH !FRICA 3PAIN 3RI ,ANKA 3UDAN 3URINAME 3WAZILAND 3WEDEN 3WITZERLAND
*ULY *ANUARY &EBRUARY 3EPTEMBER !UGUST .OVEMBER 3EPTEMBER 3EPTEMBER &EBRUARY 3EPTEMBER !PRIL *ANUARY /CTOBER *UNE *ULY /CTOBER !PRIL 3EPTEMBER &EBRUARY /CTOBER
4AJIKISTAN 4ANZANIA 4HAILAND 4ONGA 4RINIDAD AND 4OBAGO 4UNISIA 4URKEY
$ECEMBER $ECEMBER 3EPTEMBER !UGUST $ECEMBER .OVEMBER &EBRUARY
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
ANNEX ))INDD
4URKMENISTAN 4UVALU
3EPTEMBER $ECEMBER
5GANDA 5KRAINE 5NITED !RAB %MIRATES 5NITED +INGDOM 5NITED 3TATES 5RUGUAY 5ZBEKISTAN
*UNE -ARCH -AY .OVEMBER !PRIL 3EPTEMBER !PRIL
6ANUATU 6ENEZUELA 6IETNAM
$ECEMBER !UGUST !UGUST
9EMEN
-ARCH
:AMBIA :IMBABWE
$ECEMBER *ULY
0-
)NDEX
! ' !LPHONSO ! 0 2AJAH ! +AJAPATHY ! 2AHIM )SHAK ! 3ELVERAJAH !BANGAN !BDUL +ADIR 3HEIKH &ADZIL !BDUL 2AHMAN 4UNKU !BDUL 2AZAK 4UN !BDULLAH (AJI !HMAD "ADAWI !BDULLAH !LI !BEL -ATUTES !BRAHAM )YAMBO !BU "AKAR 0AWANCHEE !BU "AKAR !DAM -ALIK !%-- !FGHANISTAN !FRICAN 0OLITICS !FRO !SIAN 0EOPLES 3OLIDARITY /RGANISATION !!03/ !H &ATT #HONG !HMAD !L !BDULLAH !L !HMAD !L 3ABAH !HMAD &UZI (J !BDUL 2AZAK !IRPORTS !SSOCIATION #OUNCIL )NTERNATIONAL !!#) !L !HRAM !L 1ASSIMI ,UBNA !LAM 3JAH !LBAR 3YED (AMID !LEJANDRO 4OLEDO -ANRIQUE
!LEKSANDER +WASNIEWSKI !LGIERS !LI !BDULLAH !LI -URTOPO !LI -USHAHID X !L *ABER !L 3ABAH 3ABAH !L !HMAD !L 3ABAH 3ABAH !MARASINGHE (AMILTON 3HIRLEY !MARJEET 3INGH !-%$ !NAMAH 4AN !NAND 0ANYARACHUN !NG +OK 0ENG !NGOLA !NNAN +Ol !NTHONY #HNG !NWAR )BRAHIM !NWAR 3ADAT !PARICIO %STIF APARTHEID !0%# !QUINO #ORAZON !RAB )SRAELI WAR !RGENTINA !RIF (USSEIN !RISMUNANDAR 7ISMOYO !RMENIA !RMITAGE 2ICHARD !RTHUR $UNKELL !RTURO 6ALLARINO !3%!. "RUSSELS #OMMITTEE
INDEXINDD
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
!3%!. &REE 4RADE !REA !&4! !3%!. 2EGIONAL &ORUM !2& !3%!. VII !3%!. #HINA &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT !#&4! !3%!. %# -INISTERIAL -EETING !%-- !3%- !SHOK -IRPURI !SIA 0ACIlC %CONOMIC #OOPERATION !0%# !SIA %UROPE &OUNDATION !3%& !SIA %UROPE -EETING !3%- !SIA %UROPE 3UMMIT !3%- !SIA -IDDLE %AST $IALOGUE !-%$ !SIAN lNANCIAL CRISIS VIII !SIAN VALUES !3)!7%%+ !SSER 3VEIN !SSOCIATION OF 3OUTHEAST !SIA .ATIONS !3%!. !TEF %BIED !USTRALIA n !YAKANNU 3ANASI SO !YATOLLAH +HOMENI !ZIZ 3IDKY " * (ABIBIE "ADARIAH "ADAWI !BDULLAH (AJI !HMAD
INDEXINDD
"AGHDAD "AHRAIN "AKAR !BU "AKER -AURICE X "ANGEMAN -ARTIN "ANGKOK "ANGLADESH "ARRY $ESKER XI "ASEL #ONVENTION "ATAM "AUDOUIN "EE +IM .G "EELEY (AROLD "EIJING "EIRUT "ELGIUM "ELGRADE "ELKA -AREK "ENELUX "ENJAMIN -KAPA "ENNETT 0HILIP "ENNY -URDANI "ERNARD "LASZCZKY "HATIA 5MEJ 3INGH "HINNEKA 4UNGGAL )KA "HUMIBOL !DULYADEJ +ING "IENVENUE EN &RANCE "ILAHARI +AUSIKAN X "ILL #LINTON "INTAN "LACK -AY "LASZCZKY "ERNARD "OB (AWKE "OBBY 2OMULO "OGAARS 'EORGE "ONN
0-
*OEFY
"OON 3ENG 4AN "OOTH 'ARDNER "OTSWANA "OUTROS "OUTROS 'HALI "OWLES #HESTER "RAZIL "RIAN ,EE XII "RIAN 4ALBOYS "RITAIN "RITISH &AR %AST #OMMAND "RUNEI "RUSSELS n "UDDHISM "ULGARIA "URNHAM &ORBES "URUNDI "USH 'EORGE ( 7 "USH 'EORGE 7 # * 0OH #ABINET #AIRO n #ALVIN %U XI #AMBODIA VII n #AMP $AVID !CCORD #ANADA #ANBERRA #ARDINAL 3IN *AIME #ARLOS 2OMULO #ARRINGTON ,ORD #ATHERINE ,IM #EDRIC &OO #ENTRAL AND %ASTERN %UROPEAN #%% #HAK -UN 3EE XI #HALARD 6ORACHART #HAMLONG 3RIMUANG
INDEXINDD
#HAN (ENG #HEE X #HAN +ENG (OWE (ARRY X #HAN (ENG 7ING #HAN +AI 9AU #HAN ,AI &UNG #HAN 0ETER #HANDRA $AS #HANDRIKA "ANDARANAIKE +UMARATUNGA #HANG 6ICTOR #HAO (ICK 4IN #HARLES DE 'AULLE #HARLES 4AYLOR #HARLIE 0HUA #HATHAM (OUSE #HATICHAI #HOONHAVAN #HEE (EAN 4EO #HEE (OW (ENG #HEN 4ZE 0ENN #HENG ,IAN 0ANG XII #HEOK -ICHAEL #HEONG &OOK #HIA X #HEOW 4ONG 9EO #HESTER "OWLES #HEW 4AI 3OO X #HI (SIA &OO #HIA #HEONG &OOK X #HIAM (ERZOG #HIANG (AI $ING X #HIAO +UANHUA #HILE #HIN "ENG ,IM XI #HIN #HYE 4OH #HIN 4IONG 4AN X #HINA VIII
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
#HINESE #HIONG 'IAM ,EE XI #HIRAC *ACQUES #HNG !NTHONY #HOK 4ONG 'OH n n n #HONG !H &ATT #HOO 7INSTON X #HOON -ING ,OW XI #HOONHAVAN #HATICHAI #HRETIEN *EAN #HRISTINE ,EE #HUA 2OBERT #HUA 9ONG (AI XII #HUNG 9ING ,IN XI #HYE (ENG ,IM #IMOSZEWICZ 7LODZIMIERZ #LARK (ELEN #LAYTON 9UETTER #LINTON "ILL COASTAL STATES #OLD 7AR VII #OLOMBIA #OLOMBO 0LAN #ONSULTATIVE #OMMITTEE COLONIALISM #OMMITTEE ON #ONTRIBUTIONS #/# #OMMITTEE ON THE %LIMINATION OF $ISCRIMINATION AGAINST 7OMEN #%$!7 #OMMONWEALTH (EADS OF 'OVERNMENT -EETING #(/'- #OMMONWEALTH (EADS OF 3TATE AND 'OVERNMENT #(/'-
INDEXINDD
#OMMONWEALTH #OMMUNISM #OMMUNIST 0ARTY #OMMUNIST 0ARTY OF 4HAILAND #OMPREHENSIVE %CONOMIC 0ARTNERSHIP !GREEMENT #%0! #ONCEICAO *OSEPH X #ONFERENCE ON %NVIRONMENT AND $EVELOPMENT #ONFRONTATION #ONRAD *OSEPH #ONTEMPLACION &LOR #ONVENTION ON )NTERNATIONAL #IVIL !VIATION #ONVENTION "IOLOGICAL $IVERSITY CHEMICAL WEAPONS $ISCRIMINATION !GAINST 7OMEN #%$!7 &INANCING OF 4ERRORISM &OREIGN !RBITRAL !WARDS 'ENOCIDE ).-!23!4 ,OAD ,INES ,, -ARITIME #LAIMS ,,-# -ARITIME .AVIGATION 35! -ARITIME 3EARCH AND 2ESCUE 3!2 /IL 0OLLUTION /02# /IL 0OLLUTION $AMAGE &5.$ 0/4 0LASTIC %XPLOSIVES 0REVENTION OF 0OLLUTION 2IGHTS OF THE #HILD #2#
0-
*OEFY
3AFETY OF ,IFE AT 3EA 3/,!3 3AFETY OF 5. 0ERSONNEL 3TANDARDS FOR 3EAFARERS 34#7 #OOMARASWAMY 0UNCH #ORAZON !QUINO #ORE 4EAM #OSTELLO -ICHAEL #OUNCIL 0RESIDENT COUP #04 #ULTURAL )NTELLIGENCE #USTOMS )MMIGRATION AND 1UARANTINE #)1 #YPRUS $#OSTA &RANCIS $#RUZ 3IMON $AIM :AINUDDIN $AMUL 3ASTRO $AN 1UAYLE $ANAI 4ULALAMBA $ANIEL !RAP -OI $AOHAN 7ANG $AS #HANDRA $AVID -ARSHALL DEATH PENALTY $ECLARATION !DVANCEMENT OF 7OMEN $EMOCRACY -ONUMENT $EMOCRATIC 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF +OREA $02+ $ENG 8IAOPING $EPUTY 3ECRETARY $ESAI -ORAJI $ESKER "ARRY XI DEVELOPING COUNTRY
INDEXINDD
$HANABALAN 3 IX $IEZ *OAQUIN *ACOME $ILEEP .AIR $OOYUN (WANG DUKUN n $UNKELL !RTHUR $UNXIN 8U $ZAlR 2IDZWAN XI % -ASON (ENDRICKSON %ARTH 3UMMIT %AST !SIA ,ATIN !MERICA &ORUM %!,!& %AST 4IMOR %BIED !TEF %#!&% %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARD %$" %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT "OARD %DWARD ,EE XI %%# %GYPT n %LECTED -EMBERS % ELECTION %LECTIONS %LIZABETH )) %MINENT 0ERSONS 'ROUP %0' %MPEROR %NDYMION 7ILKINSON %NG #HONG ,EE %NG &ONG 0ANG XI %NG (EN .G %NG 0HILIP XII %NGLAND %NLAI :HOU %RIC 4EO
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
%STIF !PARICIO %STONIA %THIOPIA %5 %UROPEAN 5NION %5 ISSUES %U #ALVIN XI %UROPEAN #OMMISSION %# %UROPEAN #OMMUNITIES %# %UROPEAN &REE 4RADE !REA %&4! %UROPE VII %ZZ %L $IN 2AMZY &AWZY &AY -ICHAEL &%%2 &ERDINAND -ARCOS &ERENC 'YURCSANY &IDEL 2AMOS &IJI &INLAND &IVE 0OWER $EFENCE !RRANGEMENTS &0$! &LOR #ONTEMPLACION &OO #EDRIC &OO #HI (SIA &OO *ACKY XI &OO -ENG 4ONG X &ORBES "URNHAM FOREIGN ADVISERS &OREIGN 0OLICY &OREIGN 0RESS &ORUM FOR %AST !SIA ,ATIN !MERICA #OOPERATION &%!,!# &ORUM ON 3MALL 3TATES &/33 &0$! &RANCE &RANCIS $#OSTA
INDEXINDD
&RANK ,AVIN &RASER -ALCOLM &4!S VIII ' ' 4HOMSON ' , 0EIRIS 'ADJA -ADA 'ANDHI 'ANDHI )NDIRA 'ANDHI 2AJIV 'ANG OF &OUR 'ANJANG -ALAYSIA 'ARDNER "OOTH '!44 n 'AULLE #HARLES DE 'AYOOM -AUMOON !BDUL 'ENERAL !GREEMENT ON 4ARIFFS AND 4RADE '!44 'ENERAL 3YSTEM OF 0REFERENCE '30 'ENEVA n 'ENEVA #ONVENTIONS 'ENSCHER (ANS $IETRICH 'EORGE "OGAARS 'EORGE 3HULTZ 'EORGE ( 7 "USH 'EORGE 7 "USH 'EORGE 3EYMOUR 'EORGE 9EO IX 'ERASCHENKO 6IKTOR 'ERMANY 'LASNOST GLOBAL CITY 'OH #HOK 4ONG n n n 'OH +ENG 3WEE
0-
*OEFY
'OH +OH 0UI 'OPINATH 0ILLAI XII 'ORBACHEV -IKHAIL 'OVINDASWAMY 0ETER 'REEN 2OOM 'REENBERG -AURICE h(ANKv 'UINEA 'ULF 7AR 'UNAWARDENA )NDIKA 'URIRAB 4HEO "EN 'YURCSANY &ERENC (ABIBIE " * (AI $ING #HIANG X (AJI (ASSANAL "OLKIAH -UIZZADDIN 7ADDAULAH (ALAIQA -OHAMMAD (AMILTON 3HIRLEY !MARASINGHE (ANK ,IM (ANS $IETRICH 'ENSCHER (ARALD +ING (AROLD "EELEY (ARRY #HAN +ENG (OWE X (ASHIM 3YED (AWKE "OB (ELEN #LARK (ELMUT +OHL (ENDRICKSON % -ASON (ENG #HEE #HAN X (ENG #HEE (OW (ENG 3AMRIN (ENG 7ING #HAN (ENRY +ISSINGER (ERZOG #HIAM (EYZER .OELEEN (ICK 4IN #HAO (IlKEPUNYE 0OHAMBA (IGH #OMMISSION
INDEXINDD
(IJACK (ITAM -USA (J !BDUL 2AZAK !HMAD &UZI (NG +IANG ,IM (.3 /02# (O +WON 0ING (O 0ETER (O 2IH (WA (OCK 3AN ,IM (OLY 3EE (ON 3UI 3EN (ONG +ONG (ONG -ARK XI (SIEN ,OONG ,EE (U 2ICHARD (UA +UOFENG (UANG (UA (UCK 'IM 4AN (UMAN #APITAL (UMAN 2IGHTS (UMARDANI 3UDJONO (UN 3EN (UNGARY n (USSEIN !RIF (USSEIN /NN (WANG $OOYUN (WANG 0ENG 9UAN )BRAHIM !NWAR )BRAHIM )SSA )BRAHIM 9AACOB )CELAND )ENG 3ARY )ENG 4HIRITH )KA "HINNEKA 4UNGGAL )KENBERRY *OHN )-/
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
)MPERIAL (OUSEHOLD OFlCE )NDIA VIII )NDIAN !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE )!3 )NDIA 3INGAPORE #OMPREHENSIVE %CONOMIC #OOPERATION !GREEMENT #%#! )NDIKA 'UNAWARDENA )NDIRA 'ANDHI )NDONESIA n n n )NDONESIAN #OMMUNIST 0ARTY 0+) )NDONESIAN 3ECURITY $EPARTMENT "!+). )NDONESIA 3INGAPORE &RIENDSHIP !SSOCIATION )3&! )NITIATIVE FOR !3%!. )NTEGRATION )!) )NTERNATIONAL !TOMIC %NERGY !GENCY )!%! )NTERNATIONAL #IVIL !VIATION /RGANISATION )#!/ )NTERNATIONAL #RIMINAL 4RIBUNAL FOR 2WANDA )#42 )NTERNATIONAL ,ABOUR /RGANISATION ),/ )NTERNATIONAL -ARITIME /RGANISATION )-/ )NTERNATIONAL -ONETARY &UND )NTERNATIONAL 4RADE ,AW 5.#)42!, )NTERNATIONAL 4RIBUNAL FOR THE ,AW OF THE 3EA )4,/3
INDEXINDD
)RAN )RAQ /IL FOR &OOD 0ROGRAMME /&0 )RAQ )RELAND )3%!3 )SELI +HENG (UA )SHAK 9USOF )SKANDAR 3ULTAN -AHMOOD )SLAM )SMAIL 4UN $R )SRAEL n )SSA )BRAHIM )TALY )THNAIN 2OSSMAN )VES 2ALPH )YAMBO !BRAHAM * 9 0ILLAY XI *ACKY &OO XI *ACQUES #HIRAC *AIME #ARDINAL 3IN *AKARTA )NFORMAL -EETING *)- *AKARTA *AMAICA *AMES 0UTHUCHEARY *APAN VII n *APANESE 2ED !RMY *2! *APAN 3INGAPORE %CONOMIC !GREEMENT FOR A .EW !GE 0ARTNERSHIP *3%0! *ASUDASEN 4 XI *AVANESE *AYA -OHIDEEN X *AYAKUMAR 3 IX *AYASURIYA +ARU *AYEWARDANE
0-
*OEFY
*EAN #HRETIEN *EAN $AVID ,EVITTE *EK 9UEN 4HONG *ERUSALEM *IM *ANSSEN VAN 2AAY *OAQUIN *ACOME $IEZ *OE ,EGWAILA *OHN !NDREW /MANGO *OHN )KENBERRY *OHN -ASON *ORDAN *OSEPH #ONCEICAO X *OSEPH #ONRAD *OSEPH +OH *OSEPH 4EO *OSEPH 4OTH *UNICHIRO +OIZUMI + # ,EE + +ESAVAPANY X +AH (OE 4AN XII +AI 9AU #HAN +AJAPATHY ! +ALIBATA +AMPUCHEA +AN 3ENG 7ONG IX +ANG 2YANG 5K +ANTOR -ICKEY KARAOKE +AREN 4AN +ARU *AYASURIYA +ASHMIR +AUSIKAN "ILAHARI X +AZAKHSTAN +EMAL 4ONY 3IDDIQUE XI +ENG *IN 4AN XI
INDEXINDD
+ENG 3WEE 'OH +ENG 9ONG /NG XI +ENYA n +ESAVAPANY + X +HALED 3ULTAN +HALIFA BIN 3ALMAN !L +HALIFA +HARRAZI +HATAMI +HIEU 3AMPHAN +HENG (UA )SELI +HMER 2OUGE +HOMENI !YATOLLAH +HOO 7ARREN +HOON #HOY ,EE X +IM )L 3UNG +IM 7EE 7EE IX +IN #HEONG 7AN +ING "HUMIBOL !DULYADEJ +ING (ARALD +ING -SWATI ))) +IRK .ORMAN +ISHORE -AHBUBANI X +ISSINGER (ENRY +ITTIKACHORN 4HANOM +Ol !NNAN +OH 0UI 'OH +OH *OSEPH +OH 4OMMY XI +OHL (ELMUT +OIZUMI *UNICHIRO +OK 0ENG !NG +OK 3IEW 7ONG
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
KONFRONTASI +ONGSOMPONG 3OONTHORN +ONKOLY 4HEGE +OO 4SIEN &U +OON 3WAN 4AN +/0+!-4)" THE )NTERNAL 3ECURITY $EPARTMENT OF )NDONESIA +OREA +OREA 3INGAPORE &4! *OINT 3TUDY 'ROUP *3' +OTELAWALA ,ALITH +RAPRAYOO 3UCHINDA +RIANGSAK +UALA ,UMPUR +UAN 9EW ,EE +UANHUA #HIAO +UMARATUNGA #HANDRIKA "ANDARANAIKE +UOFENG (UA +UWAIT n +UWAITIS +UWAIT 3INGAPORE &4! +WASNIEWSKI !LEKSANDER +WON 0ING (O , 0 2ODRIGO ,AI &UNG #HAN ,AJU HIJACK ,ALITH +OTELAWALA ,AM ,AMPREIA ,UIZ &ELIPE ,AMY 0ASCAL LAND RECLAMATION LANDLOCKED COUNTRY ,AOS ,ATVIA ,AU 4EIK 3OON
INDEXINDD
,AVIN &RANK ,AW OF THE 3EA 5.#,/3 ,EBANON ,ECH 7ALENSA ,EE "RIAN XII ,EE #HIONG 'IAM XI ,EE #HRISTINE ,EE %DWARD XI ,EE %NG #HONG ,EE (SIEN ,OONG ,EE + # ,EE +HOON #HOY X ,EE +UAN 9EW ,EE 3OO !NN ,EE 9ING #HUEN ,EE 9OCK 3UAN ,EE 9ONG +IAT ,EGWAILA *OE ,EO 4INDEMANS ,ESZEL -ILLER ,EVITTE *EAN $AVID ,I ,IEN &UNG ,I 0ENG ,IANG -ARGARET ,IBERATION 4IGERS OF 4AMIL %ELAM ,IBERIA ,IBERIAN 3ANCTIONS #OMMITTEE ,IECHTENSTEIN ,IEN &UNG ,I ,IEW -UN ,EONG ,IM #ATHERINE ,IM #HIN "ENG XI ,IM #HYE (ENG
0-
*OEFY
,IM (ANK ,IM (NG +IANG ,IM (OCK 3AN ,IM 2AYMOND ,IN +EN 7ONG ,IN #HUNG 9ING XI ,IN 0IAO ,ITHUANIA ,IU 3HAOCHI ,OH 6ICTOR XII ,ON .OL ,ONDON ,ONDON n ,ORD #ARRINGTON ,OW #HOON -ING XI ,UBIS -OCHTAR ,UBNA !L 1ASSIMI ,UIS 4ARUC ,UIZ &ELIPE ,AMPREIA ,UXEMBOURG -AC$ONALD (OUSE -ADA 'ADJA -AGSAYSAY -AHATHIR BIN -OHAMMAD -AHBUBANI +ISHORE X -AHENDRA 7IJESEKERA -AHMUD 2IAD MAKAN DIPLOMACY -ALACCA AND 3INGAPORE 3TRAITS -ALAYAN #OMMUNIST 0ARTY -ALAYAN &EDERATION -ALAYAN &ORUM -ALAYSIA n
INDEXINDD
-ALAYSIAN #HINESE !SSOCIATIONS -#! -ALCOLM &RASER -ALDIVES n -ALI -ALIK !DAM -ANILA -ANRIQUE !LEJANDRO 4OLEDO -AO :EDONG -ARCOS -AREK "ELKA -ARGARET ,IANG -ARGARET 4HATCHER -ARK 6AILE -ARK (ONG XI -!20/, -ARSHALL $AVID -ARTIN "ANGEMAN -ARY 3EET #HENG X -ASAKO /WADA -ASON *OHN -ATHEWS 6ERGHESE XI -ATUTES !BEL -AUMOON !BDUL 'AYOOM -AURICE h(ANKv 'REENBERG -AURICE "AKER X -AURITIUS -BUMBA .ANGOLO -#0 -EKONG VII -ELBOURNE -EMBERS OF THE %UROPEAN 0ARLIAMENT -%0S -ENG 4ONG &OO X -ENON 6ANU 'OPALA -EXICO -ICHAEL #HEOK
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
-ICHAEL #OSTELLO -ICHAEL &AY -ICHAEL 4EO -ICHELLE 4EO *ACOB -ICKEY +ANTOR -IDDLE %AST -IKHAIL 'ORBACHEV -ILLER ,ESZEL -INISTERIAL #ONFERENCE -IRPURI !SHOK -KAPA "ENJAMIN -OCHTAR ,UBIS -OHAMED (ASHIM BIN -OHD !LI -OHAMMAD (ALAIQA -OHIDEEN *AYA X -OI $ANIEL !RAP -OKOGINTA -ON #HENG 7EE MONARCHY -ONTREAL 0ROTOCOL -ORAJI $ESAI -ORNING 0RAYERS -OSADDEQ -OSCOW -SWATI ))) +ING -UIZZADDIN 7ADDAULAH (AJI (ASSANAL "OLKIAH -UBARAK -UDAVADI -USALIA MUFAKAT -UGABE 2OBERT MULTI RACIAL -UN ,EONG ,IEW -URDANI "ENNY -URTOPO !LI -URUGESAN -USA (ITAM -USALIA -UDAVADI
INDEXINDD
-USHAHID !LI X -USLIM -USLIM "ROTHERHOOD MUSYAWARAH -USYOKA 3TEPHEN +ALONZO .AIR $ILEEP .!- .AMIBIA .ANG *ANG 7ONG .ANGOLO -BUMBA .ARUHITO .ASSER n .ATHAN 3 2 IX NATIONAL INTERESTS .ATIONAL 0EACE +EEPING #OUNCIL .0+# .ATIONAL 4RADES 5NION #ONGRESS .45# .EHRU .EPAL .ETHERLANDS n .EW $ELHI .EW 9ORK .EW :EALAND .EW !GE %CONOMIC 0ARTNERSHIP BETWEEN *APAN AND 3INGAPORE NEWLY INDUSTRIALISING ECONOMIES .)%S .G "EE +IM .G %NG (EN .G 3ER -IANG XII .GIAM 4ONG $OW .IGERIA .OELEEN (EYZER .OL ,ON
0-
*OEFY
.ON !LIGNED #ONFERENCE .ON !LIGNED -OVEMENT .!- .ON 2ESIDENT !MBASSADOR .2! .ORMAN +IRK .ORTH !TLANTIC 4REATY /RGANISATION .!4/ .ORWAY n .0! .UCLEAR 4EST "AN 4REATY #4"4 .UJOMA 3AM .YRERE /CTAVIO 0AZ /%#$ /MANGO *OHN !NDREW ONE #HINA POLICY /NG (ENG 9AP /NG +ENG 9ONG XI /NN (USSEIN /RGANIC 0OLLUTANTS /RGANISATION FOR %CONOMIC #OOPERATION AND $EVELOPMENT /RGANISATION OF THE 3WISS !BROAD /3! /VERSEAS $EVELOPMENT !SSISTANCE /$! /WADA -ASAKO /ZONE ,AYER 0 3 2AMAN 0ACIlC %CONOMIC #OOPERATION #OUNCIL 0%## 0ACIlC 4HREE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 0&4!
INDEXINDD
0AKISTAN 0AN %LECTRIC 0ANAMA 0ANG #HENG ,IAN XII 0ANG %NG &ONG XI 0ANYARACHUN !NAND 0APUA .EW 'UINEA 0ARIS n 0ARIS 0EACE !GREEMENTS 0ARIS 0EACE #ONFERENCE 0ARLIAMENTARY #OMMITTEE ON $EFENCE AND &OREIGN !FFAIRS 0ASCAL ,AMY 0ATRICK 3IM 0AWANCHEE !BU "AKAR 0AZ /CTAVIO PEACEKEEPING 0EDRA "RANCA 0EIRIS ' , 0ENG 9UAN (WANG 0ENG ,I 0EOPLES !SSOCIATION 0EOPLES 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA 0ERANAKAN 0ERESTROIKA 0ERMANENT -EMBERS 0 0ERMANENT 3ECRETARY 0ERU 0ETER #HAN 0ETER 'OVINDASWAMY 0ETER (O 0ETER 3UTHERLAND 0HAM 6AN $ONG 0HILIP "ENNETT 0HILIP %NG XII 0HILIP 9EO
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
0HILIPPINES 0HILIPS 0HNOM 0ENH 0HUA #HARLIE 0IAO ,IN 0ILLAI 'OPINATH XII 0ILLAY * 9 XI 0+) 0OH (UAT 1UEK 0OH # * 0OHAMBA (IlKEPUNYE 0OL 0OT 0OLAND 0OLITICAL 3TUDY #ENTRE 0OLITICAL 4RANSITION 0OPULAR &RONT FOR THE ,IBERATION OF 0ALESTINE 0&,0 0OTRA 3O 0REM 4INSULANONDA 0REPARATORY #OMMITTEE FOR THE 5NITED .ATIONS #ONFERENCE ON %NVIRONMENT AND $EVELOPMENT 5.#%$ 0RESIDENT PRIBUMI 0RINCE 3IHANOUK 0RITHI 3INGH 0ROTOCOL 0UBLIC 3ERVICE #OMMISSION 03# 0ULAU "ATU 0UTEH 0ULAU "UKOM 0UNCH #OOMARASWAMY 0UTHUCHEARY *AMES 1ATAR 1ATAR 3INGAPORE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT &4!
INDEXINDD
1IAN 1ICHEN 1UAYLE $AN 1UEEN 3ONIA 1UEK 0OH (UAT 2AAY *IM *ANSSEN VAN 2AFSANJANI 2AHIM )SHAK ! 2AJAH ! 0 2AJAN 6 + XI 2AJARATNAM 3 IX 2AJIV 'ANDHI 2ALPH )VES 2AMAN 0 3 2AMOS &IDEL 2AMZY %ZZ %L $IN 2ANIL 7ICKREMASINGHE 2AYMOND ,IM 2AYMOND 7ONG XI 2IAD -AHMUD 2IAU 2ICHARD !RMITAGE 2ICHARD (U 2IDZWAN $ZAlR XI 2IH (WA (O RIOTS 2IYADH 2OBERT #HUA 2OBERT -UGABE 2ODRIGO , 0 2OMANIA 2OMULO "OBBY 2OMULO #ARLOS 2ONALD 2EAGAN 2OOY 9VONNE VAN 2OSSMAN )THNAIN 2OVING !MBASSADORS 2UBBER 3TUDY 'ROUP
0-
*OEFY
2UKMITO 2USSIA 3 0 4AO 3 2 .ATHAN IX 3 4 3TEWART 3 $HANABALAN IX 3 *AYAKUMAR IX 3 2AJARATNAM IX 3ABAH 3ABAH !L !HMAD !L *ABER !L 3ABAH 3ABAH !L 3ABAH 3ADAT 3ADAT !NWAR 3AKAKIBARA 3ALMAN !L +HALIFA +HALIFA BIN 3AM .UJOMA 3AMPHAN +HIEU 3AMRIN (ENG 3ANASI SO !YAKANNU 3ANTRI 3!2! 3ARAWAK 3ARY LENG 3ASTRO $AMUL 3AUDI !RABIA 3CIENTIlC )NDUSTRIAL AND 4ECHNOLOGICAL !GREEMENT 3)4! 3EABED #OMMITTEE 3EAH 7AI 4OH
INDEXINDD
3ECURITY #OUNCIL 7ORKING 'ROUP ON 0EACEKEEPING /PERATIONS 3EE #HAK -UN XI 3EET #HENG -ARY X SELAMETAN 3ELVERAJAH ! 3EN (UN 3ENG #HYE 4AN 3EOUL 3EOW (UA 4AY 3EPARATION 3ER -IANG .G XII 3ETYOHADI 4UK 3EVERE !CUTE 2ESPIRATORY 3YNDROME 3!23 VIII 3EYMOUR 'EORGE 3HAHRIR 3UTAN 3HANMUGARATNAM 4HARMAN 3HAOCHI ,IU 3HEIKH &ADZIL !BDUL +ADIR 3HINAWATRA 4HAKSIN 3HULTZ 'EORGE 3IDDIQUE +EMAL 4ONY XI 3IDKY !ZIZ 3IERRA ,EONE 3IEW -IN 9ONG 3IHANOUK 3IHANOUK 0RINCE 3IM 0ATRICK 3IMON $#RUZ 3IMON 4AY 3INGAPORE 3INGAPORE !DMINISTRATIVE 3ERVICE 3!3 3INGAPORE !IRLINES 3INGAPORE #OOPERATION 0ROGRAMME 3#0
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
3INGAPORE #OOPERATION 0ROGRAMME 3INGAPORE )NTERNATIONAL &OUNDATION 3)& 3INGAPORE ISSUES 3INGAPORE *ORDAN "ILATERAL )NVESTMENT 4REATY ")4 3INGAPORE !USTRALIA &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 3!&4! 3INGAPORE *ORDAN &4! 3*&4! 3INGH !MARJEET 3INGH 0RITHI 3IVA 3OMASUNDRAM 3JAH !LAM 3O 0OTRA 3OLIDARNOSC 3OMASUNDRAM 3IVA 3ON 3ANN 3ONIA 1UEEN 3OO !NN ,EE 3OONTHORN +ONGSOMPONG 3OUTH !SIAN !SSOCIATION FOR 2EGIONAL #O OPERATION 3!!2# 3OUTH +OREA 3OUTH 2HODESIA 3OUTH 6IETNAM VII 3OUTH EAST !SIA VIII 3OVIET 3OVIET 5NION 3PAIN 3PECIAL %NVOY 3RI ,ANKA n 3RIMUANG #HAMLONG 3T 'ALLENS )NTERNATIONAL 3YMPOSIUM 3TEPHEN +ALONZO -USYOKA 3TOCKHOLM #ONVENTION
INDEXINDD
3TRAITS OF -ALACCA AND 3INGAPORE 3TRAITS 4IMES 3TROBE 4ALBOTT 3UCHINDA +RAPRAYOON 3UDAN 3UDJONO (UMARDANI 3UHARTO n n 3UI 3EN (ON 3UKARNO 3ULTAN -AHMOOD )SKANDAR 3ULTAN +HALED 3UMITRO 3UNARSO 3UNG +IM )L 3UTAN 3HAHRIR 3UTHERLAND 0ETER 3VEIN !SSER 3WAZILAND 3WITZERLAND 3YED (AMID !LBAR 3YED (ASHIM 3YRIA 4 *ASUDASEN XI 4AI 3OO #HEW X 4AIPEI 4AIWAN 4ALBOTT 3TROBE 4ALBOYS "RIAN 4AN !NAMAH 4AN "OON 3ENG 4AN #HIN 4IONG X 4AN (UCK 'IM 4AN +AH (OE XII 4AN +AREN 4AN +ENG *IN XI
0-
*OEFY
4AN +OON 3WAN 4AN 3ENG #HYE 4AN 9EE 7OAN 4ANZANIA 4AO 3 0 4ARUC ,UIS 4AY 3EOW (UA 4AY 3IMON 4AYLOR #HARLES 4EE 4UA "AH 4EHERAN 4EIK 3OON ,AU 4EO #HEE (EAN 4EO %RIC 4EO *OSEPH 4EO -ICHAEL 4EO *ACOB -ICHELLE 4HAILAND 4HAKSIN 3HINAWATRA 4HANOM +ITTIKACHORN 4HARMAN 3HANMUGARATNAM 4HATCHER -ARGARET 4HEGE +ONKOLY 4HEO "EN 'URIRAB 4HIRD #OMMITTEE 4HIRD 0ERSON .OTES 40.S 4HOMSON ' ' 4IMOR ,ESTE 4INDEMANS ,EO 4INSULANONDA 0REM 4ITO 4JOKKROPRANOLO 4OH #HIN #HYE 4OKYO 4OKYO n 4OMMY +OH XI
INDEXINDD
4ONG $OW .GIAM 4OTH *OSEPH 40.S 4RADE 2ELATED !SPECTS OF )NTELLECTUAL 0ROPERTY 2IGHTS 42)0S 4RAN 4RINH 4REATY OF !MITY AND #OOPERATION 4!# 4ROOP #ONTRIBUTING #OUNTRIES 4SIEN &U +OO TSUNAMI VIII 4UA "AH 4EE 4UK 3ETYOHADI 4ULALAMBA $ANAI 4UN $R )SMAIL 4UN !BDUL 2AZAK 4UNKU !BDUL 2AHMAN 4ZE 0ENN #HEN 5. #OMMITTEE ON THE %LIMINATION OF $ISCRIMINATION AGAINST 7OMEN #%$!7 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY 5.'! 5. 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY 5. )RAQ +UWAIT /BSERVATION -ISSION 5.)+/- 5. 3ECURITY #OUNCIL 5.3# 53 3INGAPORE &REE 4RADE !GREEMENT 533&4! 5K +ANG 2YANG 5MEJ 3INGH "HATIA 5-./ 5.#%$ 5.'! 5NITED !RAB %MIRATES 5!% 5NITED +INGDOM 5+
0-
5IF -JUUMF 3FE %PU 3FnFDUJPOT CZ 4JOHBQPSFT %JQMPNBUT
5NITED -ALAYS .ATIONAL /RGANISATION 5-./ 5NITED .ATIONS n n n n 5NITED .ATIONS !NGOLA 6ERIlCATION -ISSION 5.!6%- )) 5NITED .ATIONS #OMMITTEE ON #ONTRIBUTIONS 5NITED .ATIONS #ONFERENCE ON 4RADE AND $EVELOPMENT 5.#4!$ 5NITED .ATIONS $EVELOPMENT &UND FOR 7OMEN 5.)&%- 5NITED .ATIONS &RAMEWORK #ONVENTION ON #LIMATE #HANGE 5.&### 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSION FOR 2EFUGEES 5.(#2 5NITED .ATIONS )RAQ +UWAIT /BSERVER -ISSION 5.)+/- 5NITED .ATIONS -ISSION IN 7ESTERN 3AHARA -).523/ 5NITED .ATIONS -ISSION OF 3UPPORT IN %AST 4IMOR 5.-)3%4 5NITED .ATIONS 3ECURITY #OUNCIL 5NITED .ATIONS 3TANDBY !RRANGEMENTS 5NITED .ATIONS 4RANSITION !SSISTANCE 'ROUP 5.4!' 5NITED .ATIONS 4RANSITIONAL !UTHORITY IN #AMBODIA 5.4!# 5NITED 3TATES VII 5NIVERSAL 0OSTAL 5NION 505 5.3#
INDEXINDD
5RUGUAY 2OUND 5332 6 + 2AJAN XI 6AILE -ARK 6ALLARINO !RTURO 6AN $ONG 0HAM 6ANU 'OPALA -ENON 6ERGHESE -ATHEWS XI 6ICTOR #HANG 6ICTOR ,OH XII 6IENNA #ONVENTION 6IETCONG 6IETNAM n 6IKTOR 'ERASCHENKO 6ORACHART #HALARD 7AI 4OH 3EAH 7ALENSA ,ECH 7ALTER 7OON XI 7AN +IN #HEONG 7ANG $AOHAN 7ARREN +HOO 7ASHINGTON 7EE +IM 7EE IX 7EE -ON #HENG 7ICKREMASINGHE 2ANIL 7IDODO 7IFE 7IJESEKERA -AHENDRA 7ILKINSON %NDYMION 7INSTON #HOO X 7ISMOYO !RISMUNANDAR 7LODZIMIERZ #IMOSZEWICZ 7OJTYLA 7ONG +AN 3ENG IX
0-
*OEFY
7ONG +OK 3IEW 7ONG ,IN +EN 7ONG .ANG *ANG 7ONG 2AYMOND XI 7ORLD "ANK 7ORLD 4RADE /RGANISATION 74/ n 8IAOPING $ENG 8INHUA .EWS !GENCY 8U $UNXIN 9AACOB )BRAHIM 9AP /NG (ENG 9EE 7OAN 4AN 9EO #HEOW 4ONG 9EO 'EORGE IX 9EO 0HILIP
INDEXINDD
9ING #HUEN ,EE 9OCK 3UAN ,EE 9OM +IPPUR WAR 9ONG (AI #HUA XII 9ONG +IAT ,EE 9ONG 3IEW -IN 9UEN 4HONG *EK 9UETTER #LAYTON 9UGOSLAVIA 9USOF )SHAK 9VONNE VAN 2OOY :AINUDDIN $AIM :ANZIBAR :EDONG -AO :HOU %NLAI :IMBABWE
0-
