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.