IMPROVE RELATIONS TO ENHANCE REGIONAL STABILITY: DR NG

"The goal of United States presence in the (Asia-Pacific) region is to enhance stability in the region. However, presence alone doesn't confer that automatically," said Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen on 5 Apr at an interview with local and foreign media during his introductory visit to US.

Dr Ng argued: "Two people could be in the same room and if you put more people in there, it doesn't necessarily lead to harmony. What we should push for is more opportunities to enhance military-to-military interactions so that we can build confidence and mutual understanding and reduce the risk of conflicts."

He further explained that presence could do only so much and suggested that one of the ways to enhance strategic engagements would be through participation in international and regional forums, as well as military-to-military interactions.

On this, Dr Ng cited examples such as the Shangri-La Dialogue hosted by Singapore on an annual basis, the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting and the Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers' Meeting.

On the potential for military distrust in the Asia-Pacific region, Dr Ng said that it is in everyone's best interest, and not just the US' and China's, to build good relationships. Instead of fixating on competition, he suggested that countries find a suitable framework to accommodate their differences.

"I think what is probably sensible for us is to spend time investing in the framework which institutionalises mechanisms for us and opens up avenues for communication and dialogue," he said.

As part of Dr Ng's visit to the US, he also met US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta in Washington and visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Peace Carvin (PC) V F-15SG fighter detachment at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on 7 Apr.

At the base, Dr Ng was briefed on the history of the PC V programme as well as some of the capabilities of the F-15SG. There, he also spent time meeting RSAF personnel and their families who are stationed there.

The RSAF servicemen have adapted very well to life and training with their US counterparts and this was articulated by Colonel (COL) Ronald Buckley, Commander of the 366th Fighter Wing at the Air Force Base.

"I think the US and Singapore servicemen have melded together very well...there has been a great exchange of combat knowledge and technical know-how. The friendly competitions help to enhance the professional relationship and combat readiness," said COL Buckley.

He added: "The Singaporeans integrate with us not only operationally, but socially as well. They have shared with us their culture and made life so much more interesting."

During Dr Ng's visit to the detachment, he also met some of the members of the base leadership and local community leaders.