Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, was an extraordinary strategic thinker whose counsel on foreign policy was sought by leaders around the world. Central to his strategic view was his admiration for the United States and his conviction that the future of Asia was best served by the continued role of the United States as a Pacific power guaranteeing peace, stability, and economic development. His government, and those that have succeeded his administration, have worked intensely to build the existing strong political, economic, and military relationship between the two nations.
The shared strategic perspective between Lee Kuan Yew and U.S. leaders led to the 1990 signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the U.S. Use of Facilities in Singapore. This MOU and its 1998 addendum allow U.S. armed forces, aircraft, and vessels access to military facilities in Singapore. These agreements in turn led directly to the 2005 US-Singapore Strategic Framework Agreement. Years later, from retirement, Lee Kuan Yew was to welcome the U.S. rebalance of foreign policy priorities towards Asia.
Singapore has been a strong supporter of U.S. integration into a variety of structures providing stability and development in South East Asia. This is true of U.S. interaction with ASEAN, where discussions have focused on the role of the United States in maintaining peace and stability in the region, non-proliferation, and regional security, and where U.S. economic engagement produced the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. Singapore and the United States also find common ground within the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, a biannual meeting among navies with significant strategic interests in the Western Pacific.
Singapore and the United States have further deepened their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Third Country Training Program (TCTP) where both countries provide assistance to developing countries in areas such as public health, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and economic development.
Lee Kuan Yew's strategic outlook made possible this excellent and long-standing strategic relationship between the United States and Singapore. In turn this has done much to create the environment of stability and security necessary for the outstanding economic development surging through Asia today.
[Lee Kuan Yew's] leadership, dedication and wisdom will leave an indelible mark on the history of his country and the region. May we honor his legacy as we seek to further build upon the foundation of cooperation for peace and prosperity that Minister Mentor Lee spent a lifetime cultivating. - ADM. Samuel J. Locklear III, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command