- Joined
- Jan 23, 2010
- Messages
- 1,746
- Points
- 0
parliament
'We must be more guarded with US'
IN THE wake of the WikiLeaks saga, Singapore will now have to be 'more guarded' in its communications with American diplomats, Foreign Minister George Yeo said yesterday.
He was responding to Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim, who asked about the impact of the revelations on Singapore's diplomatic ties.
'I think the WikiLeaks disclosures have been disastrous for US diplomacy,' he noted.
However, he added that with miniature microphones and cameras widely available, diplomats have to be more careful in any case.
As for Asean, he said that Singapore's ties with its neighbours are built on a strong foundation of shared interests and mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.
'Countries would not allow WikiLeaks disclosures to affect their vital interests,' he said. After Malaysia submitted a formal protest against remarks purportedly made by Singapore diplomats, he called his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman. Mr Yeo explained to Mr Anifah Singapore's policy of not commenting on specific leaks. He did say, however, that there were 'significant inaccuracies' in some of the leaked cables.
As for leaks obtained by Fairfax Media in Australia, Mr Yeo noted yesterday that these did not directly involve Singapore. They were based on conversations between Australian and US diplomats, mentioning Singapore.
'So it is not even first hand. And the original leaks have not been released.
'So I think it is not wise for us to go into details...The US government is not going to comment on the accuracy or veracity or the basis for all these dispatches, and that is our policy too,' he said.
JEREMY AU YONG
'I think the WikiLeaks disclosures have been disastrous for US diplomacy.'
Foreign Minister George Yeo
'We must be more guarded with US'
IN THE wake of the WikiLeaks saga, Singapore will now have to be 'more guarded' in its communications with American diplomats, Foreign Minister George Yeo said yesterday.
He was responding to Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim, who asked about the impact of the revelations on Singapore's diplomatic ties.
'I think the WikiLeaks disclosures have been disastrous for US diplomacy,' he noted.
However, he added that with miniature microphones and cameras widely available, diplomats have to be more careful in any case.
As for Asean, he said that Singapore's ties with its neighbours are built on a strong foundation of shared interests and mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.
'Countries would not allow WikiLeaks disclosures to affect their vital interests,' he said. After Malaysia submitted a formal protest against remarks purportedly made by Singapore diplomats, he called his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman. Mr Yeo explained to Mr Anifah Singapore's policy of not commenting on specific leaks. He did say, however, that there were 'significant inaccuracies' in some of the leaked cables.
As for leaks obtained by Fairfax Media in Australia, Mr Yeo noted yesterday that these did not directly involve Singapore. They were based on conversations between Australian and US diplomats, mentioning Singapore.
'So it is not even first hand. And the original leaks have not been released.
'So I think it is not wise for us to go into details...The US government is not going to comment on the accuracy or veracity or the basis for all these dispatches, and that is our policy too,' he said.
JEREMY AU YONG
'I think the WikiLeaks disclosures have been disastrous for US diplomacy.'
Foreign Minister George Yeo
