Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts, 36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963. Tel: 3757794/5
____________________________________________________________
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESS STATEMENT
SINGAPORE SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE UNITED NATIONS ON SINGAPORE'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED NATIONS STANDBY ARRANGEMENTS
Singapore signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations (UN) on Singapore's contributions to the UN Standby Arrangements on 21 May 1997. The signing ceremony was held in the office of Mr Bernard Miyet, Under-Secretary for Peacekeeping Operations in New York. The Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN in New York, Mr Bilahari Kausikan, signed the MOU on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore.
Countries subscribing to the Standby Arrangements are required to provide the UN with a list of troops and equipment which the UN can deploy at short notice for peacekeeping operations. This enables the UN to be more responsive and effective in deploying troops and equipment to trouble spots. This enhanced responsiveness and effectiveness will help to minimise the loss of human lives and suffering in conflict areas. However, the authority to decide on whether to participate in a particular peacekeeping mission lies with the member state.
Singapore has, since January 1997, subscribed to the UN Standby Arrangements. The signing of the MOU formalises Singapore's commitment to the UN Standby Arrangements. Of the 65 countries which have subscribed to the UN Standby Arrangements to date, Singapore is among only six countries to have signed MOUs with the UN. Under its commitments, Singapore will place planning officers, military observers, medical personnel and police officers on standby for UN peacekeeping operations, as well as helicopters and transport aircraft on standby for the support of UN peacekeeping missions.
Singapore's participation in UN peacekeeping efforts, including our commitment to the Standby Arrangements, contributes to the maintenance of global peace and stability. Since 1989, Singapore has participated in missions such as United Nations Transitional Authority Group (UNTAG) in Namibia, United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM), United Nations Angola Verification Mission II (UNAVEM II), United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), United Nations Observer Mission in South Africa (UNOMSA) and United Nations Military Observer Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA). In addition to the peacekeeping missions, Singapore will also be embarking on its first peacemaking mission when an officer of Lieutenant-Colonel rank is sent to the UN Special Mission in Afghanistan (UNSMA) to assume the appointment of military adviser on 26 May 97.
As a small country with limited manpower resources, Singapore is unable to participate in every UN peacekeeping mission. Nonetheless, Singapore will continue to participate in missions in which it can make a valuable and effective contribution to the maintenance of international peace and stability.
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
20 MAY 1997