Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Statement: Condolence Letters on the Passing of the Chairman of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee John McCain, 26 August 2018

         Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan have written to Mrs Cindy McCain, to offer their condolences on the passing of Chairman of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee John McCain (R-Arizona).

         The text of the letters is appended.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

26 AUGUST 2018

Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Mrs Cindy McCain

26 August 2018

Dear Mrs McCain,

          Ho Ching and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of your beloved husband, Senator John McCain.

          Senator McCain was a true hero. His strength in adversity, moral fortitude, and courageous acts of patriotic service to his country were a model for us all. He was also a great friend of Singapore, visiting regularly over the years, and was an outspoken and unstinting supporter of the United States’ continued presence in the Asia-Pacific.

          I had the privilege of meeting Senator McCain on many occasions over the years, most recently in October last year when I visited Washington D.C. He always spoke his mind, and I will remember his wise words of counsel.

          Senator McCain has left an indelible legacy, and will be remembered as a man of principle and true conviction. His passing is a loss for us all.

Yours sincerely,

LEE HSIEN LOONG

Mrs Cindy McCain

United States of America

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Letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean to Mrs Cindy McCain

26 August 2018

Mrs Cindy McCain

United States of America

Dear Cindy,

          My wife Poh Yim and I send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the passing of your beloved husband, Senator John McCain, whom we last met at the delightful gathering in Sedona a year ago.

          I have greatly benefitted from my conversations with John over some two decades. I will always remember him for his deep and abiding sense of duty and service to his country, and his steadfast commitment to fighting for what he believed to be right. True to his indomitable spirit, John fought the good fight until the very end.

          He was a dear friend of Singapore and will be greatly missed.

Yours sincerely,

TEO CHEE HEAN

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Letter from Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Mrs Cindy McCain

26 August 2018

Mrs Cindy McCain

United States of America

Dear Mrs McCain,

          I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved husband, Senator John McCain.

          Senator McCain’s tireless diplomacy, unwavering sense of conviction, and outstanding service to his country earned him respect and admiration the world over. He was a tireless advocate of the United States’ interests, striving to enhance its international standing. I always looked forward to meeting Senator McCain on his regular visits for the Shangri-La Dialogue with Congressional colleagues from both sides of the aisle. He was a good friend of Singapore, and contributed immensely to the Singapore-United States relationship.

          The life and service of Senator McCain are a profound inspiration to all of us. With his passing, the United States has lost a true patriot and a statesman. He will be deeply missed.

Yours sincerely,

DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN