SINGAPORE

The prognosis for the Asia-Pacific is reasonably encouraging. There have been no wars or major conflicts, and the regional economies are now on the road to recovery from the recent economic crisis.

The triangular relationship between US, China and Japan remains the foundation for stability in the region. China' s movement towards WTO membership is a significant development that will bring greater economic benefits to the region, which will in turn contribute to greater regional stability .

In Northeast Asia, the Korean Peninsula remains a source of concern, but there are encouraging signs that President Kim Dae Jung's "Sunshine Policy" is moving the peace process forward. The forthcoming Summit dialogue between the two Koreas will help further reduce tensions.

In Southeast Asia, East Timor's reconstruction is underway, but there are uncertainties. The UN has pointed out that the costs involved are higher than originally anticipated, and there is a need for greater support from the international community.

In the South China Sea, the competing claims remain unresolved, but there are positive attempts to manage the situation, such as the ASEAN-China consultations on developing a Code of Conduct for the area.

Meanwhile, transnational crimes have become an area of greater concern in the ARF .In particular, we should pay greater attention to the increasing incidence of electronic or computer crimes as they could have far-reaching implications for regional security and stability .

Security co-operation in the Asia-Pacific is progressing well. Bilateral co-operation between regional countries has been growing both in depth and scope. There is now substantial bilateral defence co-operation between countries in the Asia- Pacific, involving exchange visits, cross attendance of courses, joint training and exercises and security dialogues. There has also been steady progress in the institutionalisation of multilateral co-operation in the Asia- Pacific region over the Reference: Implementation of Agreed CBMs -Co-chairs Proposed Matrices and Tables, ISG/CBMs/1998-99/Meeting2/Rev1. past few years. Mechanisms for region-wide security dialogue, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Council for Security Co-operation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP), have been firmly established.

Within the ARF , many confidence-building measures have been implemented and many more are in the process of implementation. The ARF has also embarked on maritime security co-operation and co-operation to deal with transnational problems such as illicit trafficking of small arms, piracy and illegal migration. In addition, there is considerable discussion both within the ARF as well as in Track II forums, on the concept, principles and application of preventive diplomacy in the region.

Another positive development is the increasing participation of defence officials in the ARF.Defence officials participate in ARF meetings at all levels and meet informally among themselves during lunch at the Ministerial and inter-sessional meetings. Interactions among defence officials in these meetings contribute substantially to confidence building within the ARF .

Singapore's Approach and Contributions to Regional Security

As a small country, Singapore's peace and prosperity are inextricably linked to the region’s peace and stability. We are conscious that both our security and economic well being will become even more susceptible to any instability in our external environment when we become more integrated with the global economy in the 21st century. Hence, one of the key thrusts ofSiJ1gapore's defence strategy for the new century is to work with friendly countries to promote dialogue, confidence- building and co-operation both on a bilateral and multilateral basis, in order to maintain a peaceful and stable regional environment.

Singapore believes that regional security and stability is best served by having a security architecture comprising strong bilateral relationships and multilateral arrangements. Singapore enjoys close ties with many countries in the Asia-Pacific and will continue to strengthen and deepen these bilateral ties. On the multilateral level, Singapore will do its best to contribute to regional defence and security co-operation. It will seek to strengthen existing multilateral arrangements such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and the ARF , as well as to foster and support new arrangements to enhance regional peace and stability.

Singapore believes that multilateral defence and military dialogue and co-operation, in areas such as maritime security , disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and transnational problems, has the potential to be further developed. Military co-operation and dialogue in these areas will also enhance trust and confidence among regional armed forces.

As part of the process of positioning itself for the 21st century , the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will enhance its capabilities to promote regional military co-operation and dialogue. Over the years, the SAF has developed a wide range of bilateral interactions with a number of armed forces in the region. These include joint exercises and training programmes, exchange visits, professional seminars and cross-attendance of military courses. The SAP will continue to enhance its interoperability with friendly forces in the region in various areas of professional interest.

In addition to professional interactions at the bilateral level, all three Services of the SAF have actively engaged in multilateral defence co-operation and confidence building measures. The following are some of the recent multilateral initiatives that the SAF was involved in:

In July 1999, the RSN hosted a trilateral Mine Countermeasure Exercise in which the Australian and US navies participated, and the navies of Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand sent observers.

• In September 1999, Singapore and the US co-hosted the inaugural Pacific Armies Chiefs' Conference in Singapore. This provided a forum for army chiefs from 20 different countries, from the Indian subcontinent to the Americas, to discuss professional matters. In the same month, Singapore also hosted the 23rd Pacific Armies Management Seminar, a forum started in 1978 for senior army officers in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean states to meet and discuss professional military subjects.

• In February 2000, the RSAF hosted the Millennium Air Power Conference in Singapore. The conference provided an opportunity for air force chiefs from around the world to discuss developments in air power concepts and technology in this new millennium.

The SAF is also ready to participate in peacekeeping operations as a way of contributing to regional and global peace and stability .In September 1999, the SAF committed two Landing Ships Tank (LST), a medical detachment, military observers and logistics support to the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) to help restore peace and stability to East Timor. In January 2000, the SAF further deployed a LST and a C-130 detachment to assist in the transition from INTERFET to the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). The SAF also committed a 21-man SAF medical team and up to 8 military observers to support the efforts of UNTAET.