Senior U.S. security official kicks off SE Asian tour
Senior U.S. security official kicks off SE Asian tour
Agencies, Singapore
United States Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge met with
Singaporean officials on Monday and inspected a border checkpoint
as part of a Southeast Asian tour aimed at coordinating the
American-led war against terrorism with regional allies.
Ridge met with Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and
Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng to discuss ways the two
nations can cooperate more closely in regional security, Wong's
ministry said in a statement.
Ridge did not talk to reporters during a tour of the Woodlands
checkpoint, Singapore's main land crossing to neighboring
Malaysia. He is expected to speak about global terrorism at an
event hosted by the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies on
Tuesday.
While in Singapore, Ridge is also scheduled to meet with 20
senior diplomats, many of whom are from the 10-member Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He said earlier some
countries have expressed concerns over visa restrictions
following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Ridge saw firsthand last week how the restrictions, which
require visa applicants to be interviewed, have hurt the United
States during a stopover in Hawaii.
He was told that the World Chinese Life Insurance Congress
canceled a meeting in Honolulu in August because of visa
problems. The event was expected to attract 3,200 visitors and
bring US$18.7 million to the state.
Ridge is due to leave Singapore on Wednesday. U.S. officials
here have declined to release details of his schedule, citing
security reasons.
But Reuters reported that Ridge will speak on global terrorism
in Bangkok on Friday.
Ridge has also postponed a visit to Malaysia because of a snap
general election campaign here, the U.S. Embassy confirmed on
Monday.
The postponement came at the request of the Malaysian
government, which is contesting polls called for March 21,
embassy spokesman Frank Whitaker said. A new date was not
announced.