Transcript of Door-stop Interview of Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo following his visit to the Sasanaramsi 'Burmese' Buddhist Temple, 20 October 2007, 1730 hrs

Q: Could we ask you why you are here and what you have discussed...(inaudible)

Min: I have come here to express my solidarity with the people of Myanmar during this very difficult period in their history. This is a temple with a long history and it expresses a long and deep relationship between the people of Singapore and the people of Myanmar. We were all once part of the British Empire; people went up and down and we still have those links. And naturally, Singaporeans feel an affection for the people of Myanmar. So when the crackdown happened here, there was an outpouring of sympathy. And many of the Myanmar people who I spoke to, just a moment ago told me that they were flooded with SMSes from Singaporean friends - Chinese, Malays, Indians, foreigners who live here, who supported them and who wished them well. The key now, is to have a genuine dialogue in Myanmar among all parties, the government, NLD Aung San Suu Kyi, the minority groups, so that national reconciliation can be achieved. It has to be a genuine dialogue and not just for show. Next month, we're having the ASEAN Summit, then we'll have the ASEAN+3 Summit and we'll have the East Asia Summit. And at all these meetings, the leaders of ASEAN will meet, and we will meet with the leaders from China, from Japan, from Korea, and after that, from India, Australia and New Zealand. And I am sure that Myanmar would be an issue of discussion. It is important that at this critical period, we give maximum support to UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Ibrahim Gambari. He performs the role of a catalyst to bring the various parties together in Myanmar. There is too much distrust, too much emotion in the history. But he somehow has been able to win the trust of both sides. So we should support him, and make his work easier, not more difficult.

Q: What has been the requests from the Burmese, Myanmar nationals here, when you met them?

Min: They had some requests about their lives in Singapore. Some of them worry about going home and would like to stay in Singapore longer. I said we will consider those requests on a case-by-case basis. Some of them asked if we could convey a petition from them to the UN Secretary-General. I said, send them to MFA and we will take a look and if it is appropriate, we will certainly convey that petition. We talked about how ASEAN can ensure genuine dialogue in Myanmar. So I explained that while we in ASEAN have limited economic leverage, we do have a certain moral influence, because Myanmar is part of the ASEAN family, and being a member of the family, the other members do have a certain authority to have a certain say. That's what being a part of the family means.

Q: Singapore is hoping to conclude the Charter. Do you think this could actually maybe jeopardise what could happen next month?

Min: No I don't think so. I think Myanmar would be properly represented at the Summit, that they too would want to sign on the Charter. I don't see them wanting to exclude themselves.

Q: Minister Yeo, it has been reported today that the US imposed its latest rounds of sanctions. Seven companies have been blacklisted, and out of the seven, three have been linked or have been linked to Singapore. Can we have your response to that?

Min: I am not familiar with the details. There could be some companies registered in Singapore and then it would be under certain restrictions from the US.

Q: Minister Yeo, what happens if there is a possibility that Myanmar might not turn up for the Summit? Some people have said that they might not turn up. What is the next step if that were to happen?

Min: Well if that happens, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. But I don't see that being the case. Thank you very much.

. . . . .