Sending troops to Iraq is in Singapore's interest: Goh

Asian Political News, Dec 8, 2003

SINGAPORE, Dec. 3 Kyodo

Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has said it is in Singapore's long-term national security interest to send troops to Iraq in support of U.S.-led forces even though the mission will be dangerous, Singapore newspapers reported Wednesday.

Goh, speaking to reporters in Lisbon on Tuesday, said Singapore, is committed to helping coalition forces led by the United States in Iraq because the U.S. is the only country able to defeat terrorism in the short, medium and long term.

Singapore has pledged to dispatch 191 troops to Iraq. Of the 191, 160 forces were recently sent there on a navy ship, while a transport plane with 31 personnel is waiting to be dispatched.

The ship is based in the Arabian Gulf to undertake logistical tasks such as replenishing supplies for other naval vessels, conducting patrols and providing a platform for helicopter missions.

The transport plane is expected to help coalition forces carry supplies, personnel and humanitarian materials, and conduct medical evacuation operations when it arrives in Iraq.

''If small countries like Singapore don't support the U.S. in Iraq and Washington were to fail in its mission there, terrorism would be the winner,'' he said, adding that this outcome will leave small countries like Singapore at the mercy of terrorists.''

''If the U.S. has to pull out of Iraq now, then the loser will not just be the U.S. but all of us,'' said Goh, who was in the Portuguese capital on an official visit.

''The terrorists will see that they are able to defeat the world's greatest power. Then will the U.S. and countries like Portugal and Singapore be safe? The answer is no.''

On Tuesday, Goh had talks with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, who has also defended Portugal's dispatch of 100 military policemen to Iraq.