23 Aug 2017
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan have written to the President of the United States of America Donald J Trump and Secretary of State of the United States of America Rex W Tillerson respectively to convey their condolences following a collision involving United States guided-missile destroyer USS John S McCain in Singapore territorial waters on 21 August 2017.
The text of the letters is appended.
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
23 AUGUST 2017
Condolence Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to President of the United States of America Donald J Trump
23 August 2017
Dear President Trump,
I was deeply saddened by the loss of lives following the collision between the United States Navy destroyer, the USS John S McCain, and a merchant vessel east of Singapore on 21 August 2017.
On behalf of the Government of Singapore, I offer my condolences to the victims and their loved ones. We will continue to do our utmost in the search and rescue operations and assist the injured sailors in their recovery.
Yours sincerely,
LEE HSIEN LOONG
The Honourable Donald J Trump
President
United States of America
Condolence Letter from Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Secretary of State of the United States of America Rex W Tillerson
23 August 2017
The Honourable Rex W Tillerson
Secretary of State
United States of America
Dear Secretary Tillerson,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of United States Navy personnel from the USS John S McCain after its collision with a merchant vessel in the Singapore Strait on 21 August 2017. We will continue to do all we can to render assistance to the US Navy and the injured sailors.
Yours sincerely,
DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN