It responds to furore in the two countries over PM Lee's remarks on 1978 Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia
The Straits Times, 8 Jun 2019
Singapore is committed to building on its good relations with Vietnam and Cambodia, and hopes that they can continue to grow based on candour and trust, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said last night.
Its statement was in response to unhappiness in Vietnam and Cambodia over Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's recent comments on the 1978 Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia.
"Singapore highly values its relations with Cambodia and Vietnam. Notwithstanding our differences in the past, we have always treated each other with respect and friendship," the ministry said.
"Bilateral relations have grown in many areas, and we worked together with other South-east Asian countries to build a cohesive and united ASEAN."
This was the context of PM Lee's comments, said the statement, adding that they reflect Singapore's longstanding viewpoint, which has been stated publicly before.
Singapore upholds the principle that no country should violate the sovereignty of another.
Additionally, if it were not opposed, Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia would create an undesirable precedent for small countries such as Singapore.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan made separate phone calls to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn yesterday. Dr Balakrishnan explained these points to his counterparts. "They agreed that notwithstanding the serious differences in the past, we have taken the path of cooperation, dialogue and friendship," the statement added.
Both Hanoi and Phnom Penh have protested since PM Lee wrote a Facebook post on May 31 that mentioned Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1978.
The Vietnamese troops then ousted a Khmer Rouge regime that had wiped out up to one-third of Cambodia's population.
In expressing his condolences for the death of Thai statesman Prem Tinsulanonda, PM Lee wrote about how ASEAN - then comprising Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines - came together "to oppose Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge".
"Thailand was on the front line, facing Vietnamese forces across its border with Cambodia. General Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli, and worked with ASEAN partners to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums," PM Lee wrote.
"This prevented the military invasion and regime change from being legitimised. It protected the security of other South-east Asia countries and decisively shaped the course of the region."
PM Lee also mentioned the issue during his keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 31 when he was talking about the formation of ASEAN.
Cambodia and Vietnam objected to PM Lee's remarks. Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh told local media earlier this week that PM Lee's comments were "unacceptable" and "not true".
Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it "regretted" that PM Lee's remarks did not "objectively reflect the historical truth" and, as a result, caused "negative impact" on public opinion.
Netizens from Vietnam also flooded PM Lee's Facebook page expressing unhappiness.
On Thursday night, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Facebook that he deeply regretted PM Lee's statement, and said it revealed that the "leader of Singapore had indeed contributed to the massacre of Cambodian people".
"His statement reflects Singapore's position then in support of the genocidal regime and the wish for its return to Cambodia," he said.
In its statement yesterday, the MFA noted that Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew wrote in his memoirs about Singapore's longstanding view of what happened.
ASEAN, then comprising five members, also stated its position on Cambodia clearly in a joint statement that was circulated to the United Nations Security Council in 1979, which "affirmed the right of the Kampuchean people to determine their future by themselves, free from interference or influence from outside powers in the exercise of their right of self-determination".
MFA said: "Singapore had no sympathy for the Khmer Rouge, and did not want to see the Khmer Rouge return to Cambodia."
It noted that in 1988, ASEAN sponsored UN General Assembly resolutions condemning the Khmer Rouge to ensure it would not be part of any eventual government in Cambodia. "Singapore and ASEAN were keen to provide humanitarian assistance to the Cambodian people," it said.
"ASEAN spearheaded the 1980 International Meeting of Humanitarian Assistance and Relief to the Kampuchean People, which took place under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council."
The statement said PM Lee had made reference to this history "to explain how statesmanship and foresight helped to end the tragic wars that caused great suffering to the people of Indochina, and to bring about the peace and cooperation that the region enjoys today".
"He also wanted to emphasise that regional stability and prosperity, as well as ASEAN unity, cannot be taken for granted. The current geopolitical uncertainties make it all the more important that ASEAN countries maintain our unity and cohesion, and strengthen our cooperation."
MFA said that while Singapore and Vietnam were on opposing sides in the past and have different views of that history, "our leaders chose to set aside differences to forge a close partnership both bilaterally and in ASEAN".
"Likewise, Singapore has worked hard to forge a good relationship with Cambodia following internationally supervised elections that elected a new Cambodian government, and to bring it into the ASEAN fold once it was ready. An understanding of the past enables us to fully appreciate and value the good relations that we now enjoy."
Yesterday, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin said in a Facebook post that while Vietnam may not like some of PM Lee's comments and can choose to define the past as it sees fit, "this doesn't change the past as many view it".
"Nor does it detract from us being good friends or neighbours today. We are committed to that," he added.
The Straits Times, 8 Jun 2019
Its statement was in response to unhappiness in Vietnam and Cambodia over Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's recent comments on the 1978 Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia.
"Singapore highly values its relations with Cambodia and Vietnam. Notwithstanding our differences in the past, we have always treated each other with respect and friendship," the ministry said.
"Bilateral relations have grown in many areas, and we worked together with other South-east Asian countries to build a cohesive and united ASEAN."
This was the context of PM Lee's comments, said the statement, adding that they reflect Singapore's longstanding viewpoint, which has been stated publicly before.
Singapore upholds the principle that no country should violate the sovereignty of another.
Additionally, if it were not opposed, Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia would create an undesirable precedent for small countries such as Singapore.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan made separate phone calls to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn yesterday. Dr Balakrishnan explained these points to his counterparts. "They agreed that notwithstanding the serious differences in the past, we have taken the path of cooperation, dialogue and friendship," the statement added.
Both Hanoi and Phnom Penh have protested since PM Lee wrote a Facebook post on May 31 that mentioned Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1978.
The Vietnamese troops then ousted a Khmer Rouge regime that had wiped out up to one-third of Cambodia's population.
In expressing his condolences for the death of Thai statesman Prem Tinsulanonda, PM Lee wrote about how ASEAN - then comprising Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines - came together "to oppose Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge".
"Thailand was on the front line, facing Vietnamese forces across its border with Cambodia. General Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli, and worked with ASEAN partners to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums," PM Lee wrote.
"This prevented the military invasion and regime change from being legitimised. It protected the security of other South-east Asia countries and decisively shaped the course of the region."
PM Lee also mentioned the issue during his keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 31 when he was talking about the formation of ASEAN.
Cambodia and Vietnam objected to PM Lee's remarks. Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh told local media earlier this week that PM Lee's comments were "unacceptable" and "not true".
Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it "regretted" that PM Lee's remarks did not "objectively reflect the historical truth" and, as a result, caused "negative impact" on public opinion.
Netizens from Vietnam also flooded PM Lee's Facebook page expressing unhappiness.
On Thursday night, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Facebook that he deeply regretted PM Lee's statement, and said it revealed that the "leader of Singapore had indeed contributed to the massacre of Cambodian people".
"His statement reflects Singapore's position then in support of the genocidal regime and the wish for its return to Cambodia," he said.
In its statement yesterday, the MFA noted that Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew wrote in his memoirs about Singapore's longstanding view of what happened.
ASEAN, then comprising five members, also stated its position on Cambodia clearly in a joint statement that was circulated to the United Nations Security Council in 1979, which "affirmed the right of the Kampuchean people to determine their future by themselves, free from interference or influence from outside powers in the exercise of their right of self-determination".
MFA said: "Singapore had no sympathy for the Khmer Rouge, and did not want to see the Khmer Rouge return to Cambodia."
It noted that in 1988, ASEAN sponsored UN General Assembly resolutions condemning the Khmer Rouge to ensure it would not be part of any eventual government in Cambodia. "Singapore and ASEAN were keen to provide humanitarian assistance to the Cambodian people," it said.
"ASEAN spearheaded the 1980 International Meeting of Humanitarian Assistance and Relief to the Kampuchean People, which took place under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council."
The statement said PM Lee had made reference to this history "to explain how statesmanship and foresight helped to end the tragic wars that caused great suffering to the people of Indochina, and to bring about the peace and cooperation that the region enjoys today".
"He also wanted to emphasise that regional stability and prosperity, as well as ASEAN unity, cannot be taken for granted. The current geopolitical uncertainties make it all the more important that ASEAN countries maintain our unity and cohesion, and strengthen our cooperation."
MFA said that while Singapore and Vietnam were on opposing sides in the past and have different views of that history, "our leaders chose to set aside differences to forge a close partnership both bilaterally and in ASEAN".
"Likewise, Singapore has worked hard to forge a good relationship with Cambodia following internationally supervised elections that elected a new Cambodian government, and to bring it into the ASEAN fold once it was ready. An understanding of the past enables us to fully appreciate and value the good relations that we now enjoy."
Yesterday, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin said in a Facebook post that while Vietnam may not like some of PM Lee's comments and can choose to define the past as it sees fit, "this doesn't change the past as many view it".
"Nor does it detract from us being good friends or neighbours today. We are committed to that," he added.
34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, from 22 to 23 June 2019
PM Lee Hsien Loong explains Singapore's perspective to Vietnam and Cambodia leaders
By Rachel Au-Yong, Housing Correspondent, The Straits Times, 24 Jun 2019
BANGKOK • Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met his Vietnam and Cambodia counterparts at the weekend, their first meetings in the wake of the furore over his remarks on the 1978 Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia.
PM Lee told reporters yesterday that he had asked to meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the sidelines of the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on Saturday, given "some issues in our bilateral relationship recently".
In expressing his condolences on the death of Thai statesman Prem Tinsulanonda last month, PM Lee had written about how ASEAN - then comprising Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines - came together "to oppose Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge".
Both Hanoi and Phnom Penh protested, with their leaders saying that PM Lee's comments did not reflect history.
Yesterday, PM Lee said of the meeting with Mr Phuc: "I stated my position and explained why I had spoken about the period of the Cambodian war and Singapore's perspective on the matter. He explained forthrightly Vietnam's position on this matter.
"Naturally, the two positions are different and we do not expect to change their minds, and they do not expect us to change our minds on this matter.
"But both of us have moved beyond that to become friends and partners... The best way to move forward, in our view, is on the basis of candour and honesty about what has happened in the past so that we can develop trust and we can work more closely together and trust one another," he said.
He also met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday afternoon, which had a similar theme.
"He had the same view that 'you are not going to convince me of your perspective, I am not going to convince you of my perspective, but we should move ahead'," he said.
"I think we have a mutual understanding. It is helpful for us to understand where each other stands, rather than to gloss over and pretend that there is no issue whatsoever."
He also met Indonesian President Joko Widodo briefly, congratulated him on his re-election formally, and said he was looking forward to working with him again, particularly at the next Leaders' Retreat, which will be hosted by Singapore later this year.
He added: "Although I did not have a bilateral meeting with (Malaysian Prime Minister Tun) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad), I had a chance to chat with him as we were waiting on the sidelines for meetings to start and end."
Separately, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said PM Lee met Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, and congratulated him on his election as Premier, as well as on Thailand's successful hosting of the summit.
"Both Prime Ministers affirmed their close friendship and looked forward to working together to strengthen bilateral ties. PM Lee thanked Prime Minister Prayut for his personal support for defence cooperation and Singapore Armed Forces training in Thailand," the PMO said.
The leaders agreed that both countries can enhance cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, education, and smart cities.
They also recognised that cyber security is a growing transboundary issue and agreed to step up exchanges and deepen cooperation in this area. They added that they looked forward to the next Singapore-Thailand Leaders' Retreat, which Thailand will host later.
At stake: No country should violate sovereignty of another
The Straits Times, 8 Jun 2019
For more than a decade, Vietnam's 1978 invasion of Cambodia - then known as Kampuchea - was the predominant foreign policy issue in the region.
At stake was a principle which Singapore and the Asean regional grouping adhered to: That no country should violate the sovereignty of another.
From the Singapore perspective, while the country had no sympathy for the Khmer Rouge, it believed that Vietnam's invasion would leave an undesirable precedent if left unopposed, especially for small countries like the Republic.
In December 1978, Vietnamese troops invaded Cambodia and toppled the Khmer Rouge regime that had controlled Cambodia for three years from 1975 and implemented policies said to have killed a third of the population.
After the invasion, Vietnam put in place a puppet government in Cambodia led by Heng Samrin which had to consult Vietnam on major decisions.
Singapore's and ASEAN's stand was that Vietnam's invasion was a clear violation of international borders and an act of external aggression.
The invasion of a smaller country by a larger neighbour, the deposition of a legitimate government by external force and the imposition of a proxy by a foreign power were a direct challenge to the fundamentals of Singapore's foreign policy.
As outlined by former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Wong Kan Seng at the S. Rajaratnam Lecture in 2011, Singapore felt that not responding to the invasion would have "undermined our credibility and posed serious implications for our own security".
The issue was one of Singapore's early tests as a country, he also said.
From 1979 to 1989, ASEAN member states worked closely to oppose the invasion on the international stage.
Singapore led a concerted effort to table an annual resolution at the United Nations General Assembly calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops and the recognition of Kampuchean self-determination, while not seeking a restoration of the Khmer Rouge.
And for all 11 years - with then foreign minister S. Rajaratnam and ambassador Tommy Koh lobbying for votes - the resolution won the support of more and more UN members.
The final resolution voted on in 1989 was approved by 124 out of the 159 members.
Vietnam withdrew from Cambodia that same year, as the Soviet bloc was collapsing. It would sign the Paris Peace Accord in 1991.
So large did the event loom over the consciousness in the region that many Singaporean leaders, including founding prime minister, Mr Lee, would years later refer to it as a seminal event in the early days of the ASEAN grouping.
Once the issue was settled, Singapore sought to build a relationship with Vietnam.
Singapore's leaders had long maintained that its opposition to the invasion had little to do with its bilateral relationship.
"We made clear that once the issue was settled, we would be ready and willing to render whatever assistance we could to Vietnam," Mr Wong said in the 2011 speech.
Mr Lee met then Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet one week after the Paris peace agreements were signed in October 1991.
Vietnam was admitted into ASEAN in 1995, with Cambodia joining the grouping in 1999.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pointed to the episode and the way the region was able to put its past behind it during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue last week.
"Earlier, Vietnam had invaded Cambodia, thus posing a serious threat to its non-communist neighbours. But now, Vietnam joined ASEAN, together with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. It was a case of beating swords into plough-shares," he said.
The Straits Times, 8 Jun 2019
For more than a decade, Vietnam's 1978 invasion of Cambodia - then known as Kampuchea - was the predominant foreign policy issue in the region.
At stake was a principle which Singapore and the Asean regional grouping adhered to: That no country should violate the sovereignty of another.
From the Singapore perspective, while the country had no sympathy for the Khmer Rouge, it believed that Vietnam's invasion would leave an undesirable precedent if left unopposed, especially for small countries like the Republic.
In December 1978, Vietnamese troops invaded Cambodia and toppled the Khmer Rouge regime that had controlled Cambodia for three years from 1975 and implemented policies said to have killed a third of the population.
After the invasion, Vietnam put in place a puppet government in Cambodia led by Heng Samrin which had to consult Vietnam on major decisions.
Singapore's and ASEAN's stand was that Vietnam's invasion was a clear violation of international borders and an act of external aggression.
The invasion of a smaller country by a larger neighbour, the deposition of a legitimate government by external force and the imposition of a proxy by a foreign power were a direct challenge to the fundamentals of Singapore's foreign policy.
As outlined by former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Wong Kan Seng at the S. Rajaratnam Lecture in 2011, Singapore felt that not responding to the invasion would have "undermined our credibility and posed serious implications for our own security".
The issue was one of Singapore's early tests as a country, he also said.
From 1979 to 1989, ASEAN member states worked closely to oppose the invasion on the international stage.
Singapore led a concerted effort to table an annual resolution at the United Nations General Assembly calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops and the recognition of Kampuchean self-determination, while not seeking a restoration of the Khmer Rouge.
And for all 11 years - with then foreign minister S. Rajaratnam and ambassador Tommy Koh lobbying for votes - the resolution won the support of more and more UN members.
The final resolution voted on in 1989 was approved by 124 out of the 159 members.
Vietnam withdrew from Cambodia that same year, as the Soviet bloc was collapsing. It would sign the Paris Peace Accord in 1991.
So large did the event loom over the consciousness in the region that many Singaporean leaders, including founding prime minister, Mr Lee, would years later refer to it as a seminal event in the early days of the ASEAN grouping.
Once the issue was settled, Singapore sought to build a relationship with Vietnam.
Singapore's leaders had long maintained that its opposition to the invasion had little to do with its bilateral relationship.
"We made clear that once the issue was settled, we would be ready and willing to render whatever assistance we could to Vietnam," Mr Wong said in the 2011 speech.
Mr Lee met then Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet one week after the Paris peace agreements were signed in October 1991.
Vietnam was admitted into ASEAN in 1995, with Cambodia joining the grouping in 1999.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pointed to the episode and the way the region was able to put its past behind it during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue last week.
"Earlier, Vietnam had invaded Cambodia, thus posing a serious threat to its non-communist neighbours. But now, Vietnam joined ASEAN, together with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. It was a case of beating swords into plough-shares," he said.
Vietnam's objections to PM Lee Hsien Loong's post don't detract from Singapore being a 'good friend': Tan Chuan-Jin
The Straits Times, 7 Jun 2019
Vietnam may have objections to a recent Facebook post by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that touched on its invasion of Cambodia in 1978, but this does not change the past as many view it or detract from Singapore being good friends with its ASEAN neighbour, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin has said.
In a Facebook post on Friday (June 7), Mr Tan said: "Vietnam may not like some of the comments made by PM and I guess they can choose to define the past as they see fit.
"This doesn't change the past as many view it. Nor does it detract from us being good friends or neighbours today. We are committed to that."
Last Friday (May 31), PM Lee wrote on his Facebook page that he had written to Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to express his condolences on the death of former Thai premier and Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda on May 26.
In praising General Prem's capabilities as a leader, Mr Lee said the former leader's premiership coincided with the then five ASEAN members - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore - coming together to oppose "Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge".
He said Thailand was on the front line, facing Vietnamese forces across its border with Cambodia, and that Gen Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli, and worked with ASEAN partners to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums.
As a result, PM Lee said, this prevented the military invasion and regime change from being legitimised, as well as protected the security of other ASEAN countries.
PM Lee's remarks had upset both Cambodia and Vietnam, with Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh calling his comments "unacceptable" and "not true".
On Friday, Mr Tan said in his Facebook post that the events in Indochina took place in the not-too-distant past, and the dire situation then preoccupied security agencies very significantly.
He added that those involved know that the threat of communism and its spread southwards were grave concerns.
Mr Tan said that it was strange to see some people who appeared to be Singaporean taking issue with the Singapore Government and "having no regard for history".
"Perhaps they have not read nor have any idea about what happened? Or worse. They know but still choose to snipe because it's politically expedient," he added.
Mr Tan also shared several links and urged Facebook users to read them to have a better understanding of the events.
"It was a significant series of events for a young nation and it'd be unfortunate to forget it just because some choose politicking over a sense of nationhood," said Mr Tan.
The links included the transcript of a 2011 speech by former deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng, who described the Cambodian issue as one of Singapore's early tests as a country.
Mr Wong, who spoke at the Fourth S. Rajaratnam Lecture organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Academy, said: "The invasion of a smaller country by a larger neighbour, the deposition of a legitimate government by external force and the imposition of a proxy by a foreign power became a direct challenge to the fundamentals of our foreign policy."
Mr Wong said Singapore had to respond to the invasion or it "would have undermined our credibility and posed serious implications for our own security".
"We had no sympathies for the Khmer Rouge regime. It was an issue of principle," he added.
The Straits Times, 7 Jun 2019
Vietnam may have objections to a recent Facebook post by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that touched on its invasion of Cambodia in 1978, but this does not change the past as many view it or detract from Singapore being good friends with its ASEAN neighbour, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin has said.
In a Facebook post on Friday (June 7), Mr Tan said: "Vietnam may not like some of the comments made by PM and I guess they can choose to define the past as they see fit.
"This doesn't change the past as many view it. Nor does it detract from us being good friends or neighbours today. We are committed to that."
Last Friday (May 31), PM Lee wrote on his Facebook page that he had written to Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to express his condolences on the death of former Thai premier and Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda on May 26.
In praising General Prem's capabilities as a leader, Mr Lee said the former leader's premiership coincided with the then five ASEAN members - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore - coming together to oppose "Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge".
He said Thailand was on the front line, facing Vietnamese forces across its border with Cambodia, and that Gen Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli, and worked with ASEAN partners to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums.
As a result, PM Lee said, this prevented the military invasion and regime change from being legitimised, as well as protected the security of other ASEAN countries.
PM Lee's remarks had upset both Cambodia and Vietnam, with Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh calling his comments "unacceptable" and "not true".
On Friday, Mr Tan said in his Facebook post that the events in Indochina took place in the not-too-distant past, and the dire situation then preoccupied security agencies very significantly.
He added that those involved know that the threat of communism and its spread southwards were grave concerns.
Mr Tan said that it was strange to see some people who appeared to be Singaporean taking issue with the Singapore Government and "having no regard for history".
"Perhaps they have not read nor have any idea about what happened? Or worse. They know but still choose to snipe because it's politically expedient," he added.
Mr Tan also shared several links and urged Facebook users to read them to have a better understanding of the events.
"It was a significant series of events for a young nation and it'd be unfortunate to forget it just because some choose politicking over a sense of nationhood," said Mr Tan.
The links included the transcript of a 2011 speech by former deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng, who described the Cambodian issue as one of Singapore's early tests as a country.
Mr Wong, who spoke at the Fourth S. Rajaratnam Lecture organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Academy, said: "The invasion of a smaller country by a larger neighbour, the deposition of a legitimate government by external force and the imposition of a proxy by a foreign power became a direct challenge to the fundamentals of our foreign policy."
Mr Wong said Singapore had to respond to the invasion or it "would have undermined our credibility and posed serious implications for our own security".
"We had no sympathies for the Khmer Rouge regime. It was an issue of principle," he added.
Cambodia's Hun Sen accuses PM Lee Hsien Loong of supporting genocide
The Straits Times, 8 Jun 2019
PHNOM PENH/HANOI • Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has accused Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of supporting genocide over his comments about Vietnam's 1978 invasion of Cambodia which ended Pol Pot's genocidal regime.
In a Facebook post late on Thursday, Mr Hun Sen said he deeply regretted Mr Lee's remarks, Reuters reported yesterday.
"His statement reflects Singapore's position then in support of the genocidal regime and the wish for its return to Cambodia," Mr Hun Sen said.
Singapore "had indeed contributed to the massacre of the Cambodian people", he said.
The Vietnamese invasion ended Pol Pot's three-year Khmer Rouge regime which had led to the deaths of almost two million people.
Mr Hun Sen was a junior member of the Khmer Rouge but fled to Vietnam when the group split.
He returned with the Vietnamese army that intervened in late 1978 to oust the Khmer Rouge and rose to power in a government set up by Vietnam.
In his comments, Mr Hun Sen also said PM Lee's remarks were an "insult to the sacrifice of the Vietnamese military volunteers who helped to liberate Cambodia".
Last Friday, Mr Lee wrote on Facebook that he had written to Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to express his condolences on the death of former Thai premier and Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda on May 26.
He noted that the former leader's premiership coincided with the then five ASEAN members - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore - coming together to oppose "Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge".
He said Thailand was on the front line, facing Vietnamese forces across its border with Cambodia, and that Mr Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli and worked with ASEAN partners to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums.
As a result, PM Lee said, this prevented the military invasion and regime change from being legitimised, as well as protected the security of other ASEAN countries.
Cambodia also objected to PM Lee's remarks. Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh told local media earlier this week that PM Lee's comments were "unacceptable" and "not true". He said he had brought up the matter with his Singapore counterpart Ng Eng Hen, and requested that Dr Ng tell PM Lee to rectify the statement.
Vietnam withdrew its forces from Cambodia in late 1989, and a 1991 treaty officially ended the war.
Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995, while Cambodia joined in 1999.
The Straits Times, 8 Jun 2019
PHNOM PENH/HANOI • Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has accused Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of supporting genocide over his comments about Vietnam's 1978 invasion of Cambodia which ended Pol Pot's genocidal regime.
In a Facebook post late on Thursday, Mr Hun Sen said he deeply regretted Mr Lee's remarks, Reuters reported yesterday.
"His statement reflects Singapore's position then in support of the genocidal regime and the wish for its return to Cambodia," Mr Hun Sen said.
Singapore "had indeed contributed to the massacre of the Cambodian people", he said.
The Vietnamese invasion ended Pol Pot's three-year Khmer Rouge regime which had led to the deaths of almost two million people.
Mr Hun Sen was a junior member of the Khmer Rouge but fled to Vietnam when the group split.
He returned with the Vietnamese army that intervened in late 1978 to oust the Khmer Rouge and rose to power in a government set up by Vietnam.
In his comments, Mr Hun Sen also said PM Lee's remarks were an "insult to the sacrifice of the Vietnamese military volunteers who helped to liberate Cambodia".
Last Friday, Mr Lee wrote on Facebook that he had written to Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to express his condolences on the death of former Thai premier and Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda on May 26.
He noted that the former leader's premiership coincided with the then five ASEAN members - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore - coming together to oppose "Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge".
He said Thailand was on the front line, facing Vietnamese forces across its border with Cambodia, and that Mr Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli and worked with ASEAN partners to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums.
As a result, PM Lee said, this prevented the military invasion and regime change from being legitimised, as well as protected the security of other ASEAN countries.
Cambodia also objected to PM Lee's remarks. Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh told local media earlier this week that PM Lee's comments were "unacceptable" and "not true". He said he had brought up the matter with his Singapore counterpart Ng Eng Hen, and requested that Dr Ng tell PM Lee to rectify the statement.
Vietnam withdrew its forces from Cambodia in late 1989, and a 1991 treaty officially ended the war.
Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995, while Cambodia joined in 1999.
PM Lee Hsien Loong's Facebook post on Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia draws ire
The Straits Times, 7 Jun 2019
A recent Facebook post by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that touched on Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1978 has sparked anger in both countries.
Last Friday, PM Lee wrote on Facebook that he had written to Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to express his condolences on the death of former Thai premier and Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda on May 26.
In praising Mr Prem's capabilities as a leader, PM Lee said the former leader's premiership coincided with the then five ASEAN members - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore - coming together to oppose "Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge".
He said Thailand was on the front line, facing Vietnamese forces across its border with Cambodia, and that Mr Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli and worked with ASEAN partners to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums.
As a result, PM Lee said, this prevented the military invasion and regime change from being legitimised, as well as protected the security of other ASEAN countries.
PM Lee also mentioned the issue during his keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue last Friday, when he was talking about the formation of ASEAN.
Cambodia and Vietnam have objected to PM Lee's remarks.
Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh told local media earlier this week that PM Lee's comments were "unacceptable" and "not true".
He said he had brought up the matter with his Singapore counterpart Ng Eng Hen, and requested that Dr Ng tell PM Lee to rectify the statement. "He (PM Lee) did not say the truth and his statement does not reflect history. It is not true because he said Vietnamese troops invaded Cambodia," Khmer Times quoted the Cambodian minister as saying. "We wish for him to make corrections. It is not true."
Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it "regretted" that Mr Lee's remarks did not "objectively reflect the historical truth" and, as a result, caused "negative" impact on public opinions.
The ministry's spokesman Le Thi Thu Hang said the ministry has discussed this issue with its Singapore counterpart. She added that the contributions and sacrifices of Vietnam in the joint efforts with the Cambodian people to end the Khmer Rouge genocide regime have been widely recognised.
PM Lee's post on Mr Prem attracted some 26,000 comments, with many that appeared to be from Vietnamese users expressing their unhappiness over his comment on the Vietnam-Cambodia issue.
One of them, named Nguyen Duy Hung, wrote: "With respect to you and Singapore, please correct the word 'invasion'. We Vietnamese had lost a lot of blood there to help Cambodian friends from Khmer Rouge."
In contrast, there were posts of support from users with Cambodian names, such as one Sophanna Nun, who wrote: "Thanks for telling the truth even if it hurts a lot of people. You are great leader."
In a 2011 speech, former deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng had described the Cambodian issue as one of Singapore's early tests as a country.
Giving the Fourth S. Rajaratnam Lecture organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Academy, he said: "The invasion of a smaller country by a larger neighbour, the deposition of a legitimate government by external force and the imposition of a proxy by a foreign power became a direct challenge to the fundamentals of our foreign policy."
Mr Wong said Singapore had to respond to the invasion, or it "would have undermined our credibility and posed serious implications for our own security".
"We had no sympathies for the Khmer Rouge regime. It was an issue of principle," he added.
The Straits Times, 7 Jun 2019
A recent Facebook post by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that touched on Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1978 has sparked anger in both countries.
Last Friday, PM Lee wrote on Facebook that he had written to Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to express his condolences on the death of former Thai premier and Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda on May 26.
In praising Mr Prem's capabilities as a leader, PM Lee said the former leader's premiership coincided with the then five ASEAN members - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore - coming together to oppose "Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge".
He said Thailand was on the front line, facing Vietnamese forces across its border with Cambodia, and that Mr Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli and worked with ASEAN partners to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums.
As a result, PM Lee said, this prevented the military invasion and regime change from being legitimised, as well as protected the security of other ASEAN countries.
PM Lee also mentioned the issue during his keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue last Friday, when he was talking about the formation of ASEAN.
Cambodia and Vietnam have objected to PM Lee's remarks.
Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh told local media earlier this week that PM Lee's comments were "unacceptable" and "not true".
He said he had brought up the matter with his Singapore counterpart Ng Eng Hen, and requested that Dr Ng tell PM Lee to rectify the statement. "He (PM Lee) did not say the truth and his statement does not reflect history. It is not true because he said Vietnamese troops invaded Cambodia," Khmer Times quoted the Cambodian minister as saying. "We wish for him to make corrections. It is not true."
Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it "regretted" that Mr Lee's remarks did not "objectively reflect the historical truth" and, as a result, caused "negative" impact on public opinions.
The ministry's spokesman Le Thi Thu Hang said the ministry has discussed this issue with its Singapore counterpart. She added that the contributions and sacrifices of Vietnam in the joint efforts with the Cambodian people to end the Khmer Rouge genocide regime have been widely recognised.
PM Lee's post on Mr Prem attracted some 26,000 comments, with many that appeared to be from Vietnamese users expressing their unhappiness over his comment on the Vietnam-Cambodia issue.
One of them, named Nguyen Duy Hung, wrote: "With respect to you and Singapore, please correct the word 'invasion'. We Vietnamese had lost a lot of blood there to help Cambodian friends from Khmer Rouge."
In contrast, there were posts of support from users with Cambodian names, such as one Sophanna Nun, who wrote: "Thanks for telling the truth even if it hurts a lot of people. You are great leader."
In a 2011 speech, former deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng had described the Cambodian issue as one of Singapore's early tests as a country.
Giving the Fourth S. Rajaratnam Lecture organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Academy, he said: "The invasion of a smaller country by a larger neighbour, the deposition of a legitimate government by external force and the imposition of a proxy by a foreign power became a direct challenge to the fundamentals of our foreign policy."
Mr Wong said Singapore had to respond to the invasion, or it "would have undermined our credibility and posed serious implications for our own security".
"We had no sympathies for the Khmer Rouge regime. It was an issue of principle," he added.
PM Lee sends condolence letter on death of former Thai premier Prem Tinsulanonda
The Straits Times, 1 Jun 2019
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha to express condolences on the death of former Thai premier and president of the Privy Council General Prem Tinsulanonda.
Mr Prem, who was Thailand's prime minister for more than eight years in the 1980s, died of heart failure on May 26 at age 98.
Describing Mr Prem as a "capable and immensely respected leader", Mr Lee said that during Mr Prem's premiership, he steered Thailand through a period of democratic development, holding three elections during his watch and progressively including more elected ministers in each of his five Cabinets.
As the president of the Privy Council from 1998 to 2019, Mr Prem continued to be a loyal and trusted source of advice and counsel to the King and also provided wise counsel to successive military and civilian governments, noted Mr Lee.
Mr Lee said the region also benefited from Mr Prem's leadership, noting that Mr Prem's time as premier coincided with the five countries of ASEAN coming together decisively to resolutely oppose Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia.
"General Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli. Supported by his able Foreign Minister, Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, General Prem worked with ASEAN partners to support the resistance forces of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea from Thai territory, and to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums.
"This effective collective resistance prevented a military invasion and regime change from being legitimised, and protected the security of other Southeast Asian countries. Eventually the invasion forces withdrew, a peace settlement was signed, and internationally supervised elections were held to elect a new Cambodian government.
"This decisively shaped the subsequent course of Southeast Asia. It paved the way for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to join ASEAN, as partners in promoting the region's peace and development," Mr Lee wrote.
Mr Lee said Mr Prem was also a good friend of Singapore whom the late founding prime minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew had deep respect for as a statesman.
"He strengthened relations between our two countries, including between our militaries, and Singapore and Thailand forged a strong and enduring partnership," Mr Lee said.
Mr Lee said Mr Prem will be greatly missed by the people of Thailand and all who knew him.
The Straits Times, 1 Jun 2019
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha to express condolences on the death of former Thai premier and president of the Privy Council General Prem Tinsulanonda.
Mr Prem, who was Thailand's prime minister for more than eight years in the 1980s, died of heart failure on May 26 at age 98.
Describing Mr Prem as a "capable and immensely respected leader", Mr Lee said that during Mr Prem's premiership, he steered Thailand through a period of democratic development, holding three elections during his watch and progressively including more elected ministers in each of his five Cabinets.
As the president of the Privy Council from 1998 to 2019, Mr Prem continued to be a loyal and trusted source of advice and counsel to the King and also provided wise counsel to successive military and civilian governments, noted Mr Lee.
Mr Lee said the region also benefited from Mr Prem's leadership, noting that Mr Prem's time as premier coincided with the five countries of ASEAN coming together decisively to resolutely oppose Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia.
"General Prem was resolute in not accepting this fait accompli. Supported by his able Foreign Minister, Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, General Prem worked with ASEAN partners to support the resistance forces of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea from Thai territory, and to oppose the Vietnamese occupation in international forums.
"This effective collective resistance prevented a military invasion and regime change from being legitimised, and protected the security of other Southeast Asian countries. Eventually the invasion forces withdrew, a peace settlement was signed, and internationally supervised elections were held to elect a new Cambodian government.
"This decisively shaped the subsequent course of Southeast Asia. It paved the way for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to join ASEAN, as partners in promoting the region's peace and development," Mr Lee wrote.
Mr Lee said Mr Prem was also a good friend of Singapore whom the late founding prime minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew had deep respect for as a statesman.
"He strengthened relations between our two countries, including between our militaries, and Singapore and Thailand forged a strong and enduring partnership," Mr Lee said.
Mr Lee said Mr Prem will be greatly missed by the people of Thailand and all who knew him.
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