    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [July 12, 2005]
    [Pages 1210-1212]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Lee Hsien
    Loong of Singapore
    July 12, 2005

        President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reaffirm
    the strong U.S.-Singapore partnership and will open a new chapter in
    strategic cooperation by signing the ``Strategic Framework Agreement
    Between the United States of America and the Republic of Singapore for a
    Closer Cooperation Partnership in Defense and Security.''
        The Agreement is a natural step in the expansion of bilateral ties.
    President Bush and then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong first announced their intention to conclude this
    agreement in October 2003. It was born out of a shared desire to address
    common threats such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of
    mass destruction (WMD), which called for even closer cooperation between
    the United States and Singapore. The Agreement recognizes Singapore's
    role as a Major Security Cooperation Partner and will expand the scope
    of current cooperation in areas such as counterterrorism, counter-
    proliferation, joint military exercises and training, policy dialogues,
    and defense technology. The Agreement will further enhance regional
    stability by supporting the continued security presence of the United
    States in Southeast Asia.

        The President and Prime Minister agree that the U.S. presence in the
    region has promoted peace and stability, which are crucial for regional
    cooperation and economic development. The President and Prime Minister
    instruct their senior officials to meet to continue close coordination
    on strategic issues in the period leading up to their next bilateral
    meeting.

        The President and the Prime Minister acknowledge progress in the war
    on terror. The Prime Minister commends the President for the United
    States' resolute and steadfast stance in the war on terror and expresses
    Singapore's continued support in this endeavour.

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        The two leaders welcome the successful election of the first Iraqi
    National Assembly. President Bush expresses appreciation for Singapore's
    contributions to Iraq's reconstruction and stabilization. He commends
    the professionalism of the Singapore Armed Forces personnel who have
    been deployed in support of Iraq operations over the past two years and
    of the Singapore Police Force, which has provided critically important
    training.
        The President and Prime Minister express optimism about the outlook
    in Southeast Asia. They welcome successful elections, the strengthening
    of democratic institutions, and renewed economic growth in the region
    and agree that these trends should be encouraged. The two leaders note
    the progress countries in the region have made in disabling terrorist
    networks through enhanced cooperation among ASEAN nations and with the
    international community. The President and Prime Minister condemn the
    terrorist attacks in London and call on governments around the world to
    fight terrorism together. They agree that a sustained, long-term effort
    is needed to defeat terrorism and reaffirm their commitment to continue
    working closely on law enforcement, non-proliferation, and other
    appropriate measures to address all aspects of the war on terror.
        The President and Prime Minister express satisfaction with the
    seamless cooperation between the United States and Singapore in
    responding to the humanitarian disaster caused by the tsunamis in the
    Indian Ocean. The two leaders note the increasing importance of the
    Regional Emerging Diseases Intervention (REDI) Centre in light of
    growing concern over transnational-public-health threats such as SARS
    and avian influenza. They also note the importance of the Straits of
    Malacca, and President Bush pledges U.S. support for the region's
    initiatives for maritime security.
        The President and Prime Minister welcome the successful
    implementation of the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the growth
    in bilateral trade since it became effective on January 1, 2004. They
    express satisfaction with growing commercial ties between our two
    countries and are confident that trade and investment relations will
    continue to expand.
        The President and Prime Minister pledge to sustain the close
    cooperation between the United States and Singapore in key regional and
    global multilateral institutions. The President reaffirms U.S. support
    for ASEAN and the ASEAN Regional Forum. The two leaders note the central
    role of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in supporting
    trade and investment liberalization and in promoting cooperative efforts
    to strengthen regional security. With the forthcoming first Meeting of
    the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December 2005, they agree that
    the future development of cooperation among countries in the region
    should be open, transparent, and inclusive. The President and Prime
    Minister reaffirm the warm and strong ties between the United States and
    Singapore, which are grounded in historical cooperation, common
    interests, and shared strategic perspectives.

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

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