Crisis blamed for prickly relations

Crisis blamed for prickly relations

SINGAPORE (AP): Although Southeast Asian nations need each
other most during bad times, shrinking resources make relations
more difficult, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said in a weekend
speech.

"We have always warned Singaporeans not to take the good life
for granted and not to assume that our high economic growth will
go on forever," Goh said at a rally last Saturday night, ending
the country's two weeks of National Day celebrations.

"As a country's economic pie shrinks, relations with other
countries can become prickly and difficult," he said.

Goh said Singapore had helped Indonesia, Thailand and
Malaysia, although the Malaysian government has denied receiving
any aid from Singapore. "I assure Singaporeans that we will help
others only within our capabilities," Goh said.