DIPLOMACY & DETERRENCE

1. DIPLOMACY & DETERRENCE

2. You will learn • How international conflicts are prevented and resolved • Co-operation among countries • The need for a two-pronged approach to the defence of Singapore

3. DIPLOMACY • Diplomacy is the way countries manage or conduct relations with one another • Main aim : • To promote common interests • Resolve conflicting interest peacefully • Diplomats • Reps to keep in touch with foreign governments • Consular, economic and political functions • Report back to own country • Sometimes play the role of peacemaker

4. DIPLOMACY RESOLVING CONFLICTS • Conflicts arise because of misunderstanding • Diplomacy allows countries to meet to resolve their differences • Sometimes other countries or int’l orgns mediate to resolve dispute • Diplomacy allows differences to be resolve peacefully • No need to resort to force or violence

5. DIPLOMACY INT’L CO-OPERATION • Diplomacy is shown in int’l co-operation • Takes the form of • Providing assistance • Transfer of knowledge and skills • Eg developed countries provide money and training to developing countries • Eg co-operate to solve common problems – smuggling of goods across borders

6. DIPLOMACY INT’L CO-OPERATION • Provides a way for countries to come together to prevent a potential aggressor from attacking other countries • Possible actions against aggressor • Economic boycott • Countries stop trade with aggressor • Negative effects on aggressor’s economy • Unable to export its goods – loses important source of revenue • Also cannot import essential goods like machinery and medicine • Military strike • Threat of being punished may discourage potential aggressor

7. TYPES OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS • Bilateral Relations • Singapore’s Bilateral Relations • Regional Relations • ASEAN • Singapore in ASEAN • International Relations • The United Nations • Singapore in the United Nations

8. BILATERAL RELATIONS • Diplomatic relations between two countries • Exchange of diplomats • Sometimes treaties are signed by both governments • Covers trade, cultural exchanges, technology assistance and help in times of need • Disagreement can be discussed and settled peacefully • Relations are strengthened when leaders visit each other

9. BILATERAL RELATIONS SINGAPORE • Singapore has established bilateral relations with many countries since independence • Sgp believes its interest can be promoted through bilateral ties • Some benefits : • Trade with China • Transfer of skills and technology from Germany • Cultural exchange with Malaysia • Sgp willing to help its friends in need • Doctors, nurses and teachers sent to Vietnam and Nepal • Sgp’s bilateral relations help it gain world recognition

10. REGIONAL RELATIONSSINGAPORE • Countries in the same region sometimes come together to form an association • The association becomes stronger by combining the strengths of the members • Better placed to deal with other countries or associations • Eg European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

13. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations • An assn of SEA countries • Before 1967 – No assn that included most of the SEA countries • 1963 – Strained ties between Indonesian and Malaysia because of Confrontation • Philippines also broke off ties with M’sia because of its claim over Sabah

14. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations • 1967 – 5 SEA leaders realised that it would be better to co-operate with each other than to be at odds with each other • ASEAN was formed on 8 Aug 1967 • Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand • Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia joined later

15. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations 3 Main Aims • Promote economic, social and cultural development of the region • Protect peace and stability of the region • Provide opportunities for member countries to discuss and resolve differences peacefully

16. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations • Promote economic, social and cultural development of the region • ASEAN members co-operated to improve economies • ASEAN also established ties with other countries and associations to promote trade in the region • Eg Japan has invested heavily in the region • Members have benefited from transfer of technology

17. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations • Promote economic, social and cultural development of the region • 1978 : Committee established to promote greater understanding and appreciation of culture and heritage of its members • Cultural exchanges organised – film festivals, music and drama workshops, art exhibitions

18. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations 2. Protect peace and stability of the region • Cambodia : Civil war in 1980s • Fighting groups supported by countries outside ASEAN • ASEAN and the UN persuaded the different groups in Cambodia to stop fighting and form a new democratic government

19. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations • Provide opportunities for member countries to discuss and resolve differences peacefully • Differences over national boundaries, trade agreements, fishing rights and immigration • Spratly Islands : Claimed by Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam • Issue not resolved to date; countries try to arrive at a peaceful solution • Islands of Sipadan and Ligitan : Malaysia and Indonesia

20. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations • Provide opportunities for member countries to discuss and resolve differences peacefully • Pedra Branca : Singapore and Malaysia • Countries involved in these disagreements choose to discuss their problems through negotiations and meetings • At times, seek help from international orgns to settle disputes • Eg UN Int’l Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of Pedra Branca

21. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations Singapore in ASEAN • As a founding member, Sgp actively tries to maintain peace and prosperity in SEA • Eg Took on leadership role in ASEAN regional Forum (ARF) • ARF provides opportunities for ASEA and other countriesUSA, CHINA, JAPAN, KOREA, AUSTRALIAto discuss important issues

22. ASEANassociation of southeast asian nations Singapore in ASEAN • Sgp also shares its technical knowledge and expertise with other ASEAN countries • Training courses are arranged for those interested in learning from Singapore’s experience • Set up training centres overseas • Eg Technical training center set up in Vietnam in 1997 to help Vietnam industrilaise • Also gives scholarships to ASEAN students to study in Singapore

25. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (IR) • IR involves ties among many groupings and countries in the world • In IR, the UNITED NATIONS (UN) plays an important role • UN serves the needs of all countries in the world • UN is a well-known int’l organisation • Main mission : PRESERVE WORLD PEACE esp after two World Wars • Founded in 1945 by the major powers of the world • Started with 51 members • 1999 : 188 members

26. UN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS • Providing help to countries in need • Helps countries facing immediate problems eg famines and earthquakes • Sends food and medical aid • Giving a Voice to every member country • Members have a right to vote on decisions that may affect them • An opportunity to voice grievances in the General Assembly • General Assembly : Like a World Parliament where members can vote on various issues • Safeguarding Peace and Stability

27. UN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS • Safeguarding Peace and Stability • UN sends peacekeeping forces to troubled areas • Comprise members from member countries • Thus an international force • Peacekeepers do not simply go to any troubled area • Must first have the consent of UN members and the countries in conflict • Main task of peacekeeping force : Ensure parties involved in an armed conflict observe the peace by keeping them apart and preventing them from fighting • Peacekeepers must be neutral – not to side with any party involved in the conflict

28. UN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS The UN Security Council • Maintains peace and security among member countries • Eg when war breaks out, it may issue stern warning to aggressor, organise a boycott or take military action to end the war • 15 members in the SC • 5 permanent members : China, the Russian Federation, the USA, the UK and France • The remaining ten members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms

29. UN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS The UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) • ICJ helps member countries settle their disputes peacefully • It is like a World Court where members can present their disputes • Not compulsory for members to settle their disputes through ICJ • However, when they do, they must abide by its decision

31. UN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS Singapore in the UN • Singapore : Member since independence in 1965 • Sgp is recognised as an independent country by the UN • We are not under the rule or control of any country • As a member, Sgp was given help and advice by UN experts on social and economic development • Eg Dr Albert Winsemius, the economic expert who helped Sgp’s economy after independence • Although a small country, Sgp’s membership enables us to voice our opinion on world affairs • Since 1980 : Sgp sent over 400 police, SAF and civil service officers on UN peacekeeping missions to various countries

32. UN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS Singapore in the UN • 1995 : Sgp played an important role in the UN Law of the Sea Conference • The Conference was to decide on the territorial rights of a country over its waters • Sgp’s representative to the UN, Prof Tommy Koh chaired the conference

33. UN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS “ Singapore will continue to be deeply committed to the UN. The UN is not perfect, but it is the best institution similar to a world government that we have. Small countries like Singapore need the UN, and must play a positive role in supporting it.” PM Goh Chok Tong in a speech at the UN 50th anniversary meeting in Oct 1995