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11-06-2013, 07:40 AM
An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:
Quote:
6. Improve diplomacy and foreign relations
In order for Singapore to reduce the chances of armed conflict with other countries, we need to improve our foreign relations and diplomatic skills. The recent revelations by Wikileaks where our senior diplomatic officials made disparaging remarks against our closest neighbours are not the way forward.
We must embark on an enlightened foreign policy approach where we work with our ASEAN neighbours instead of treating them with disdain. Instead of practising one-upmanship, a new approach must be adopted. This should include signing treatises and conducting military exercises with the ultimate aim of forming a regional defence force.
Such a move will also address the problem of discrimination against Singaporeans who are Malay-Muslims. Building up trust and confidence with our Malay-Muslim neighbours in areas of military defence will eliminate this problem as we work towards a peaceful and friendly co-existence instead of the suspicious and hostile atmosphere that currently exists.
Such an approach will also help us reduce our defence budget which is more than $11 billion, or 25 percent of our national budget. A reduction in military spending will allow us to divert more resources to other areas such as healthcare and other aid for the elderly and poor.
Is this possible? Can Singapore be Switzerland?
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://singsupplies.com/showthread.php?154153-SDP-National-Security-Strategy-A-Fairtale-Foreign-Policy&goto=newpost).
Quote:
6. Improve diplomacy and foreign relations
In order for Singapore to reduce the chances of armed conflict with other countries, we need to improve our foreign relations and diplomatic skills. The recent revelations by Wikileaks where our senior diplomatic officials made disparaging remarks against our closest neighbours are not the way forward.
We must embark on an enlightened foreign policy approach where we work with our ASEAN neighbours instead of treating them with disdain. Instead of practising one-upmanship, a new approach must be adopted. This should include signing treatises and conducting military exercises with the ultimate aim of forming a regional defence force.
Such a move will also address the problem of discrimination against Singaporeans who are Malay-Muslims. Building up trust and confidence with our Malay-Muslim neighbours in areas of military defence will eliminate this problem as we work towards a peaceful and friendly co-existence instead of the suspicious and hostile atmosphere that currently exists.
Such an approach will also help us reduce our defence budget which is more than $11 billion, or 25 percent of our national budget. A reduction in military spending will allow us to divert more resources to other areas such as healthcare and other aid for the elderly and poor.
Is this possible? Can Singapore be Switzerland?
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://singsupplies.com/showthread.php?154153-SDP-National-Security-Strategy-A-Fairtale-Foreign-Policy&goto=newpost).