S'pore, U.S. discuss security pact

S'pore, U.S. discuss security pact

SINGAPORE: Washington and Singapore are negotiating a "strategic" security pact, the city-state's top security minister said on Tuesday, a day after President George W. Bush announced a major redeployment of its troop presence worldwide.

"We will deepen our engagement with the United States on security," said Tony Tan, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for Security and Defense, adding that the city-sate and Washington were "negotiating a strategic framework" for defense.

Singapore, a close ally of Washington, regularly hosts U.S. Navy ships and aircraft carrier at its purpose-built Changi Naval Base. It is a staunch U.S. ally in its war on terror and sent military aircraft and a small police training force to assist in the rebuilding of Iraq.

"Singapore supports the presence of the U.S. military in this part of the world. We believe the presence of the U.S. military in Southeast Asia contributes to stability," Tan added, without elaborating. --AP