VISIT OF ISRAELI PRESIDENT CHAIM HERZOG (Request for Statement)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in view of the unfriendly reactions from our neighbouring countries to the recent visit of the Israeli President, Mr Chaim Herzog, whether he will make a statement with a view to defusing the situation.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, we established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1969. Israel rendered us special assistance in building up the SAF when we gained independence in 1965.

It is accepted diplomatic practice to receive visitors or visits by leaders of states with which a country has diplomatic relations. Only the dates of the visit are the subject of consideration.

In December 1984, the Israeli Embassy requested a visit by their President and we agreed to invite him. The visit was to have been made in May 1985, but was postponed by Israel. In April this year, we agreed to a visit from 18th to 20th November 1986. This was to fit in with the Israeli President's visits to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and the Philippines. There was no special significance to the visit.

Although they conceded that it is our sovereign right to invite anyone, some of our ASEAN neighbours have expressed their regrets at the visit. There were also protests and demonstrations by various groups in Malaysia.

As a sovereign country, Singapore has the right to invite and to receive any representative of any country it has relations with. Other countries, even close and friendly neighbours, cannot expect us to view the world as they do. An invitation to the Israeli President does not mean that we accept or endorse Israeli policies. The President at the banquet in honour of the Israeli President stated Singapore's position on the Palestinian problem. Our views on this problem do not differ from those of our ASEAN neighbours. How these views are advanced must be left to each country. The visit has not in any way affected the national security or the national interests of any of our neighbours.

The security and stability of our ASEAN neighbours are important to Singapore. We will not allow Singapore to be used to undermine the security and stability of Malaysia or any other ASEAN neighbour. An example of this policy is our consistent policy of cooperation with Malaysia in combatting communist subversion.

Singaporeans who visit Johore on business or pleasure must have read with relief that the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir, had asked the Johore People's Action Committee to stop its protests against the Israeli President's visit to Singapore.

ASEAN has been a success because all members have observed the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of any member. We hope that this principle of non-interference will continue to be upheld.

Dr Arthur Beng Kian Lam (Fengshan): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister, before we agreed to the visit of the Israeli President, did we have any idea that the reaction in Malaysia would be so vehement? The second question is: will the visit change Singapore's position on the Palestinian and Middle-East related issues?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, we were aware that Malaysia did not have diplomatic relations with Israel. We did not expect them to be happy about the visit. But we expected that they would treat the visit as a purely internal, ie, Singapore, matter.

It has always been recognized that while members of ASEAN have similar approaches to many regional and international problems and subjects, there are differences in nuances and even differences in substance on some subjects. A good example is the difference among ASEAN countries in their relations with the People's Republic of China.

Mr Speaker, Sir, regarding the second part of the question, whether this visit will in any way change our position on the Palestinian problem, the answer is no. Our position has been clearly stated and we will stand by it.

Mr Chng Hee Kok (Radin Mas): Mr Speaker, Sir, besides Singapore, what other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have diplomatic relations with Israel?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, both Thailand and the Philippines, in addition to Singapore, have diplomatic relations with Israel. Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1954 and the Philippines in 1957.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Would the Minister agree with me that in respect of our relations with Malaysia, there are only disadvantages in inviting the Israeli President to Singapore and no advantage at all?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already stated why we invited the Israeli President. I have also stated what our anticipated reaction on the part of Malaysia was. As a sovereign country, I am sure the Member for Potong Pasir must agree, we have the right to invite the leaders of countries with which we have diplomatic relations.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am asking him to state whether or not there are any advantages. I think we have to balance it, is it not - our interests in Malaysia with our interest in inviting the President of Israel to Singapore. What are the advantages? You do not just invite because you want to invite.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already stated that we have had diplomatic relations with Israel since 1969. I have also stated that they did help us in the early years to build up our SAF and they have been asking us for some time to invite their President. When we have diplomatic relations with a country, it follows that at some point if they continue to request a visit, we must invite the leaders. It is normal accepted diplomatic practice. As I said, although we were aware that the Malaysians do not have diplomatic relations with Israel and we were aware that they would not be happy, we expected that in accordance with the normal practice in ASEAN they would accept that there will be a difference in our approach to Israel between Singapore and Malaysia.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, would the Minister agree that with hindsight it was poor judgment and it was all a big mistake?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not agree.

Mr Leong Horn Kee (Thomson): Sir, may I ask the Minister, as reported in the Straits Times' editorial on 6th December, that the Government rescinded its decision when it knew that Indonesia and Malaysia objected to Singapore's intention to open an Embassy in Tel Aviv, why did we, in this instance, proceed to accept the President's visit from Israel?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware that there have been press reports, the most recent of which was the editorial that the Member referred to, ie, the editorial in the Straits Times of 6th December, stating that we have not opened an embassy in Israel because Indonesia and Malaysia objected. Mr Speaker, Sir, this is completely untrue.

When we want to establish an embassy in a country, we do not consult or discuss with third countries. It is purely a matter between Singapore and the country in which we want to establish the embassy. We have not established an embassy in Israel because we must allocate our limited manpower resources to those countries where we have substantial economic and political relations. Our relations with Israel do not warrant the opening of an embassy in Israel.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, in 1961, the PAP was advocating merger with Malaysia and the Prime Minister spoke over Radio Sarawak -

Mr Speaker: Let us have your supplementary question, please.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I am coming to it, please.

Mr Speaker: I am not interested in the history of what you are going to say. I want the supplementary question.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Yes. It was said at that time, "But at the end of it all, we have one mutual interest which overrides everything else, namely, the need to survive together, ie, with Peninsular Malaysia and the other Malaysian states, in a troubled and changing world and to create prosperity and stability despite the -

Mr Speaker: Supplementary question, please.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Give me a chance.

Mr Speaker: I am not giving you any chance because you are making a speech, Mr Chiam.

Mr Chiam See Tong: All right. The policy of the Government then would be to survive together. Now I fear that the Government has switched over to a foreign policy of self-reliance. Is it in line -

Mr Speaker: Let us have your supplementary question, Mr Chiam, or you sit down.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I am asking this question. Is it because in line with this policy of self-reliance, ie, Singapore going all alone, not caring about our neighbours, that we invited the President of Israel?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not see how a policy of self-reliance contradicts a policy of cooperation with our neighbours. I have made it very clear that where the security and stability of our ASEAN neighbours are concerned, we are very mindful and that we will never allow Singapore to be used by anybody to undermine the security and stability of Malaysia or any of our ASEAN neighbours.

Mr Leong Horn Kee: Sir, may I be allowed to ask another supplementary question?

Mr Speaker: Last one.

Mr Leong Horn Kee: Thank you, Sir. May I ask the Minister whether, arising from the Israeli President's visit, firstly, have our relations with Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei been affected, and secondly, has it affected ASEAN solidarity and cooperation?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, ASEAN has been a strong association because member states have concentrated on building on common interests instead of dwelling on bilateral differences, even where there have been serious bilateral differences. I am confident that this approach will continue to hold and that ASEAN solidarity and cooperation will not be affected.