[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
[October 21, 2003]
[Pages 1365-1366]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of 
Singapore
October 21, 2003

    Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and President 
George W. Bush held discussions on a broad range of issues during 
President Bush's first official visit to Singapore. This visit builds 
upon the strong and multi-faceted U.S.-Singapore partnership, which saw 
the signing of the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement earlier this 
year, and on a history of cooperation, congruent interests, and shared 
perspectives.
    President Bush and Prime Minister Goh 
reviewed recent developments in Southeast Asia and regional efforts in 
the war against terrorism. They welcomed the recent arrest of Riduan 
Isamuddin (also known as Hambali) and the conviction of key perpetrators 
of the Bali bombings. They recognized that much headway had been made in 
disrupting terrorist networks, but agreed that more needed to be done 
and that the campaign against terrorism required a sustained long-term 
effort. The two leaders pledged to continue to work closely, both 
bilaterally and through multilateral institutions such as ASEAN, APEC, 
and the UN, to defeat terrorism.
    The Prime Minister and the President also 
discussed the situation in Iraq. They expressed hope for Iraq's early 
reintegration into the global community. They welcomed the positive 
steps taken by the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqi 
Governing Council, in particular the new investment laws passed to 
restore international investor confidence in the country. President Bush 
expressed gratitude for Singapore's contribution toward Iraq's 
reconstruction and commended the Singapore police training contingent's 
efforts to help train the Iraqi police to protect critical 
installations.
    The President and the Prime Minister 
reaffirmed the need for a strong U.S. security presence in Asia, which 
continues to be vital for the peace and stability of the region. 
President Bush recognized the important role played by Singapore as a 
major security cooperation partner and expressed appreciation for 
Singapore's support for the U.S. as reflected in the 1990 Memorandum of 
Understanding between the U.S. and Singapore. Both leaders expressed 
concern over the emergence of new threats to global peace and stability 
such as terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and 
agreed that such threats required even closer cooperation between the 
U.S. and Singapore.
    To this end, Prime Minister Goh and 
President Bush agreed that the United States and Singapore would enter 
into negotiations for a Framework Agreement for the Promotion of a 
Strategic Cooperation Partnership in Defense and Security. This 
strategic framework agreement will expand

[[Page 1366]]

upon the scope of current bilateral cooperation in areas of defense and 
security such as counterterrorism, counterproliferation of weapons of 
mass destruction, joint military exercises and training, policy 
dialogues, and defense technology. Both leaders expressed the desire to 
see this Framework Agreement implemented as soon as possible.
    President Bush and Prime Minister Goh 
emphasized the value of collaborative efforts to respond to new health 
threats, including emerging diseases and use of biological agents by 
terrorists. In this regard, both leaders were pleased to endorse the 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on collaboration recently concluded 
between the United States Department of Health and Human Services and 
the Singapore Ministry of Health. The MOU will establish the Regional 
Emerging Diseases Intervention (REDI) Center. Based in Singapore's newly 
opened Biopolis, the REDI Center will facilitate the exchange of 
information and expertise on surveillance; prevention and control of, 
and research on, communicable and non-communicable diseases; and on 
bioterrorism concerns. The REDI Center will also make its research, 
training, and surveillance facilities available to other economies in 
the Asia-Pacific region, and President Bush and Prime Minister Goh 
welcomed the endorsement of the Center by APEC Leaders at their meeting 
in Bangkok. In a broader context, the MOU will enhance and expand 
bilateral cooperative efforts in health and medical sciences, and on 
health security issues.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.