Singapore might be small but we are the strongest US partner in
the ASEAN region (a region with population of 500m and US$1
trillion economy) and our leaders has the ability to influence US
policy on ASEAN.
Dont under estamate the significants of the US-Singapore FTA and
the F-15s, F-16, Apache USA sold to us. We are small, but we are
not weak.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/11/20061116-3.html
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all. Mr. Prime Minister and Ms. Lee,
thank you very much for your gracious hospitality. Laura and I are
thrilled to be back here. I'm always amazed when I think about
Singapore, a country that wasn't supposed to be; a part of the
world where people basically said there's no chance for the good
folks to survive and thrive. I'm amazed at your successes, and I
appreciate the values on which your successes rest.
I congratulate the people of Singapore for being such a vivid
example of enterprise and markets and hard work. I congratulate the
government for being visionary in its leadership. And I am thrilled
that you allowed me to give a speech at one of your fine
universities, talking about the importance of the Far East to the
future of the United States.
I thank you very much for serving that meat. (Laughter and
applause.) It was so good, it had to be from Texas.
(Laughter.)
The Prime Minister and I have had a lot of discussions about a
variety of issues, and I shared with them one of my chief concerns,
that our country would become -- could possibly become isolationist
and protectionist. In my speech today to the university, Mr. Prime
Minister, I assured the listeners that it is in our interest to
remain engaged in the world. It's in our economic interests and
it's in our national interests that the United States work with
strong friends and allies such as Singapore to spread prosperity
and hope, and to work to lay the foundations for peace.
Mr. Prime Minister, I appreciate your clear vision of the threats
that we face. I appreciate the fact that you see the ideological
struggle before us. I cannot think of a more steadfast leader in
you, and your willingness to make the hard steps necessary to deal
with this challenge today so that our children won't have to deal
with it in more severe terms tomorrow.
I'm proud to call you friend. Laura and I are proud to be in your
presence. May God bless you and your important country.
(Applause.)
