*EPF311 07/25/01
Text: Ambassador-designate Highlights U.S. Interests in Singapore
(Plans to work on a range of bilateral issues) (1080)

The United States has a number of vital interests in Singapore and Southeast Asia including regional stability, trade and commercial interests, and "transit issues" such as non-proliferation and immigration, according to Franklin L. Lavin, the nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Singapore.

"Singapore, due to its port and its location on the vital Malaccan Straits, has the ability to play a constructive role with a number of issues we can group as "transit" issues: non-proliferation, immigration, customs, and piracy," Lavin said in July 25 testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Lavin said that the United States also takes interest in "the openness and structure of Singapore society, particularly as Singapore moves to a general election."

"In short, we have a series of important and often complicated issues to work on in our relationship with Singapore," he said.

Following is the text of Lavin's remarks, as prepared for delivery:

(begin text)

Statement of Franklin L. Lavin
Ambassador-Nominee to the Republic of Singapore
before the
Committee on Foreign Relations
United States Senate

July 25, 2001

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, it is an honor for me to appear before you today. I am grateful and humbled by the President's and Secretary Powell's trust in me in nominating me to be Ambassador to Singapore. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to working closely with this Committee and others in the Congress in support of our country's interests in Singapore.

Before I proceed further, allow me to introduce my family members who are here today: My wife of 21 years, Ann, who served in the Administrations of the past three Presidents, and two of our children, Nat (12) and Elizabeth (9). Our eldest child, Abby (17), is a high school student, currently studying Chinese in Taiwan in a home-stay program, which unfortunately precludes her attendance today. As you know, an active family at post can substantially enhance an Ambassador's reach and effectiveness so I hope you will permit me a measure of personal pride when I state that our team is ready to go.

My first work with Congress was 27 years ago when I was fortunate enough to serve as a Congressional Page. Since that time I have been privileged to serve in a variety of government policy and management positions, at the State and Commerce Departments, at the National Security Council, and at the White House, all of which I believe will serve me well in dealing with the complex issues in the U.S.-Singapore relationship.

Along the way, I also had the opportunity to complete graduate degrees in international relations, Chinese language, and business administration. Outside of government, I worked in banking and finance, some of which involved living and working in Singapore. Additionally, I have spent 14 years in the Navy Reserves, primarily working on Asian issues. I believe it would be a fair conclusion that I have spent much of my adult life preparing for this position.

I come before you as someone who has a solid grounding in Government, a background in management, and a deep respect for the men and women who staff our embassies. My experience has enabled me to develop associations with Singapore leadership as well as with many of the exceptionally talented people in the U.S. foreign policy community.

The United States has a number of vital interests in Singapore and Southeast Asia. That part of the world has seen economic turmoil and political instability and our two nations have many shared views on how we can help the region regain political stability and economic momentum. Singapore is an important country in regional organizations such as ASEAN and APEC, and close U.S.-Singapore dialogue is important on regional issues. Beyond the region, Singapore's membership on the UN Security Council argues for close collaboration on other issues as well.

Additionally, our relationship with Singapore has an important and growing security dimension. Singapore boasts the only pier outside the U.S. at which a U.S. aircraft carrier can dock. Singapore hosts almost 100 U.S. Naval ship visits a year. Singapore is a tangible supporter of a U.S. military presence in the region.

Third, the U.S. has substantial trade and commercial interests in Singapore, our tenth largest trading partner. Singapore is also the busiest port and the fifth largest financial market in the world. Singapore now hosts over 16,000 American citizens and over 1,000 American businesses. These facts remind us of the importance of the U.S.-Singapore free trade negotiations that were launched during the Clinton Administration. There have been promising statements from the Singapore side about their desire to make this agreement a best practices model. Now we need to work to ensure that these goals are brought to fruition. Particular attention needs to be paid to the service sector which comprises some three-fourths of Singapore's economy.

Fourth, Singapore, due to its port and its location on the vital Malaccan Straits, has the ability to play a constructive role with a number of issues we can group as "transit" issues: non-proliferation, immigration, customs, and piracy, for example. Although Singapore itself is rarely the source of or the destination for these activities, it does not play as active a role as it could with regard to goods that are transshipped through its port or its airport.

Finally, but not least, there is a range of bilateral issues. We maintain our dialogue with the Singapore government concerning the openness and structure of Singapore society, particularly as Singapore moves to a general election. We believe it to be in Singapore's best interest to allow increasing scope for divergent views in public life. And we maintain close working relations with the younger generation of Singapore leaders who are emerging in the senior ranks.

In short, we have a series of important and often complicated issues to work on in our relationship with Singapore. If confirmed, I look forward to working on these issues. I also hope that today's hearing is the beginning of an ongoing discussion with Congress. Finally, if confirmed, I hope I will be able to host each of you and your staffs in Singapore.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for your time. I would be happy to respond to your questions.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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