Joint Press Statement by MHA and MFA: Response to the US Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

                We are surprised and disappointed at the comments about Singapore in the US Department of State's 2012 Country Reports on Terrorism.  This is particularly so given the close relationship and cooperation between our countries and agencies in the area of counter-terrorism.

 2              The State Department has cast a negative light on Singapore’s bilateral and multilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism.  We are of the view that the State Department’s report does not accurately describe the relations that we have with US agencies involved in counter-terrorism matters. It also shows a lack of understanding of Singapore’s deep commitment towards international cooperation against the threat of terrorism, whether at the bilateral or multilateral level, and not least on the intelligence and law enforcement front.

3                 For cooperation to work well, parties should not only take into account mutual interests, but also mutual respect and trust.  Notwithstanding the negative characterisation of our efforts which the State Department has chosen to make, we will continue to work with our international counterparts on counter-terrorism matters.

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MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

17 JULY 2013