CONFIDENTIAL
3
کیا
External affairs
8. In my Annual Review* for 1973 I dealt with this aspect of Singapore in some detail, because of the distinct change in emphasis in Singapore foreign policy. This change has been consolidated and should be to the ultimate benefit of Singapore. Lee has abandoned, certainly not too soon, his "poisonous. shrimp" image and his likening of Singapore to Israel. The Arabs have not forgotten this, and Singapore will have to work its passage back into favour. The Singapore Government has been asked to close the Israeli Embassy, but I do not think they will do so. Lee now, with much greater wisdom, is trying to cultivate a "Swiss" image. It will take time but the beginnings are there. He no longer shows contempt for his neighbours; however they still remain suspicious of him and do not believe that the aggressive and poisonous shrimp can so easily transform itself into a friendly neighbour. I would like to think, however, that it is slowly being accepted that Singapore is now trying to be a good neighbour. I believe that President Soeharto was initially reluctant to accept a visit from, as he saw it, the murderer of two Indonesian marines. But the visit took place and it is likely to be returned later this year. Tun Razak, a man of great courtesy, found, so my son's Malaysian father-in-law told me, Lee's arrogance almost intolerable, yet now they have exchanged visits and I have
* DR 8/74.
CONFIDENTIAL
OI EXEMPTION NO. 27)... THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN THIS IS A COPY
CLOSED UNDER
148773-20
B*