Singapore PM to meet Bush, Blair for terrorism talks

Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong leaves for Washington and London tomorrow amid a growing debate in south east Asia on whether US help is required to protect busy Asian shipping lanes from terrorist attacks.

After a five-day visit to Washington which includes talks with US President George Bush, Goh will travel to London on Friday to meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair, Goh’s office said in a statement today.

Singapore is home to the world’s second busiest port, and nearly all oil tankers destined for Asia from the Middle East must pass through its waters - making it a prime target for terrorists seeking to disrupt international trade routes, officials say.

Singapore defence minister Teo Chee Hean said last week that existing maritime defences in the Malacca Straits – put in place by Singapore and neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia – were inadequate given the terrorist threat.

He said countries with an economic and strategic stake in the waters should help defend them.

There have been unconfirmed reports that Washington wants to send US Marine fast-response units to help protect the Malacca Straits from possible attacks.

Both Indonesia and Malaysia, which handle security on their sides of the sea border in the straits, have said the deployment of foreign troops would threaten their sovereign rights.

In Washington, Goh will also meet with US Vice President Dick Cheney, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell, the statement said.

He will also meet National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, it said.

During the US visit, Goh’s delegation will include his ministers for trade, defence and foreign affairs, his office said. No details were given about the British leg of his trip.

A stalwart US ally, Singapore has arrested 37 alleged members of the al Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group who are accused of planning to blow up the US Embassy, a US naval base and other Western targets here.