Aust. pledge to Singapore

Press, 27 April 1984, Page 6

Aust. pledge to Singapore

NZPA-Reuter Singapore The Australian Defence Minister, Mr Gordon Scholes, said in Singapore that his country’s security commitments to the region would remain intact despite its decision to pull out a Mirage squadron from Malaysia. Mr Scholes, in Singapore on a three-day official visit, told a news conference after his talks with Singapore’s Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and Defence Minister, Mr Goh Chok Thong, “We have very specific commitments and train-

ing arrangements in the region. We have no intention of considering any changes in these arrangements other than those changes considered desirable by the parties involved. “We will continue with the types of activities and relationships with Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. We will expect those relationships to continue on levels that exist at the moment.” Mr Scholes said that Singapore and Malaysia were satisfied with Australia’s decision to deploy its advanced Hornet fighter-

bombers for at least 16 weeks a year after the Mirages are withdrawn in 1988. “Goh sought an assurance that there will be a continuing Australian presence which we were able to give,” he said. The Hornets could reach SingaporeMalaysia from their Australian base within 4% hours. Australia is linked with Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Britain in the Five-Power Defence Arrangement, which Mr Scholes said would continue providing regional security.