Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo has highlighted the
importance of US leadership in the world as he holds talks with top
US officials in Washington.
Mr Yeo met US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the State
Department, where they discussed regional issues facing their two
countries.
He also met Stephen Hadley, the National Security Adviser.
According to the State Department, talks with Dr Rice focused on
ways to strengthen cooperation, the US-Singapore Free Trade
Agreement and tsunami relief efforts.
Dr Rice also expressed US appreciation for Singapore's deployment
of personnel and equipment to Iraq.
Mr Yeo said: "I mentioned to both Secretary Rice, and Mr Hadley
that all this show how important US leadership is in the world.
Yes, the US cannot operate on its own. Needs friends, allies.
However on most important issues, you need US leadership. I talked
about how important that was in Asia after the tsunami...the US
provided enormous resources and assets that could be mobilised.
This is an opportunity for US to strengthen relationship with
Southeast Asia which is important for Singapore, important for
stability in region."
Mr Yeo also said that the US had expressed concern about an
upcoming inaugural leaders' meeting of East Asian countries.
He said: "Singapore's position is that it's important for ASEAN to
be the fulcrum of this new construction...important that summit is
inclusive not just confined to fixed number of countries, that it
looks outwards."
He also noted that Washington has some concerns that the East Asia
Summit may be inward looking and exclusive.
"I told them that other countries in the region would also be
against that. Bilaterals are excellent...so we talked about issues
that affect us in a larger way and longer term in nature, like
terrorism," he added.
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called the meeting very
positive and constructive and a very good consultation with a close
friend.
He said: "The meeting with Minister Yeo from Singapore was very,
very good. It was an extensive discussion of regional issues as
well as US-Singapore cooperation." - CNA