S'pore defense chief calm on crisis

S'pore defense chief calm on crisis

WELLINGTON (AP): Security in Southeast Asia has not been significantly affected by the economic crisis afflicting the region, Singapore's defense minister said yesterday.

"At present we see no major change to the security situation," Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tony Tan said at the end of a five-day visit to New Zealand.

"The countries are committed to overcoming their economic difficulties, some have had to make changes to their defense plans but overall the situation continues to be stable," he said.

Tan's visit focused on defense and the training of Singapore military units in New Zealand, but his news conference was dominated by questions about the Asian economic crisis.