Minister: This is the 13th Singapore-Brunei Exchange Visit. We had a friendly golf game this morning. To our great surprise, Singapore won the challenge trophy, which is a very rare event. But it's an occasion for Ministers on both sides to get to know one another and to exchange notes about various things. I had a good discussion with Prince Mohamed about the coming ASEAN Summit and about some of the issues that will be on the agenda, especially Myanmar. I briefed him on my visit to China and to Japan, and our meetings with Mr Gambari and various issues that are connected with the issue of Myanmar. So, we had a good meeting of minds and we are looking forward to a good Summit in Singapore soon.
Q: Can you tell us a bit more about what you feel; whether Mr Gambari will achieve substantive results, as in the release of political prisoners?
Minister: Well, we have got to see. He is there now. I am not quite sure what programme he has got. But we hope that the government in Yangon will give him full access and allow him to meet the people that he wants to meet. I think that's very important. It's very important that there should be progress before the leaders meet in Singapore later this month.
Q: Sir, the ASEAN Summit will be held in two weeks time. Will there be, do you foresee any obstacles to the signing of the ASEAN Charter?
Minister: No, I don't foresee any obstacles to the signing of the ASEAN Charter. In fact, it will be a time for celebration. A lot of work has gone into it. It represents a key milestone in the development of ASEAN. It's a very important event. It will have great implications for the future, and for our common destiny, and we are looking forward to it.
Q: What about the possibility of an ASEAN People's Charter that some civil society had just had a meeting here, they said they might bring up an ASEAN's People's Charter?
Minister: Well, I am quite sure that the civil societies in ASEAN will have an important role to play. This will not be in the nature of a legal agreement. But I think it is completely an attractive idea - that among themselves, they should have some kind of an ASEAN People's Charter or some such other arrangements.
May I make a comment on Pakistan? Why don't you ask me?
Q: Should Singapore be worried about Pakistan, given that - and even ASEAN - it's a nuclear armed nation and there is a state of emergency rule there?
Minister: What has happened there, the declaration of state of emergency, is very troubling. It is a step back from the democratic process, which the Pakistanis were getting back onto, but it is a very complicated situation, not just within Pakistan, but in Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan and in Pakistan's relations with India. The situation is very complicated and we hope that good sense will prevail and that some kind of compromise will be achieved within Pakistan itself.
Thank you very much.
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4 November 2007