THE guest list reads like a Who's Who of the defence world. Defence ministers and high-ranking security officials from 27 countries are in town for the Shangri-La Dialogue - the seventh edition of the annual security summit organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
According to the organiser, this weekend's forum brings together the largest concentration of policy-makers since the first meeting in 2002.
31 May 2008: Straits Times
By Teh Joo Lin
THE guest list reads like a Who's Who of the defence world. Defence ministers and high-ranking security officials from 27 countries are in town for the Shangri-La Dialogue - the seventh edition of the annual security summit organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
According to the organiser, this weekend's forum brings together the largest concentration of policy-makers since the first meeting in 2002.
Laos makes its entry for the first time this year.
Dr Tim Huxley, executive director of IISS-Asia, said yesterday that senior leaders are expected to discuss issues including the role of the United States in maintaining security in the Asia-Pacific and the future security of East Asia.
Apart from traditional security threats like terrorism and nuclear proliferation, leaders are also expected to dwell on non-traditional threats like natural disasters, energy and financial system security, and climate change.
Leading the delegation from the US is Defence Secretary Robert Gates. US Senator Joseph Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is also here.
From China, People's Liberation Army deputy chief of general staff Ma Xiaotian, is attending. It is the second year China has sent a top-ranking official to the regional security summit.
Then there are defence ministers from countries including Australia, Canada, France, Japan and Indonesia.
Also, a notable absence from last year is back: Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak.
Singapore is represented by 22 government and non-government delegates, including Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean and Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Desmond Kuek.
More than a dozen defence chiefs are expected to call on Mr Teo during the dialogue.
At a press conference yesterday, Mr Lieberman, who met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Mr Teo and Foreign Minister George Yeo, tackled suggestions that the US had been 'distracted' from Asia in the past few years.
He said: 'I don't think that's the case.
'On the contrary, I think America's network of alliances and partnership in Asia is in many respects in better shape than before.
'When Singapore and our other friends from the region look to the future, I want them to expect more, not less, attention, investment and cooperation from the highest levels of the American government.'
The three-day summit, which opened with a keynote address by PM Lee, ends tomorrow.
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