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US success in Iraq crucial to Asia: Lee Kuan Yew
Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday that the Americans must not fail in Iraq as it would have far-reaching implications for the stability and security on which East Asia depends for its prosperity. ’I think if we all start withdrawing our troops and the Americans are left alone, that’s going to be very big trouble for them. And if they fail, it’s big trouble for all of us,’ Mr Lee told an annual symposium here whose theme this year was on laying the groundwork for Asia’s regional integration.

He made the remark in the context of Spain’s decision to recall its troops from Iraq after terrorists killed nearly 200 train commuters in Madrid earlier this year. He pointed out that despite the Korean and Vietnam wars and another war between Vietnam and Cambodia, East Asia had known peace and stability since 1945, thanks to the US security umbrella. He therefore urged East Asian nations to support US efforts to bring stability back to Iraq. ’Let’s try and help the Americans in whatever way we can to solve this problem, because if they get into serious trouble and cannot maintain the framework of security and stability in East Asia, we are in trouble,’ said Mr Lee. ’They have brought us, since 1945, through 60 years of peace and stability. Let’s keep it.’

The Senior Minister noted that even US Senator John Kerry, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, had not called for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. ’This is not Vietnam. If you withdraw, the Vietnamese are happy to see you leave and they leave you alone. If you withdraw (from Iraq) with your tail between your legs, they will chase you wherever you go,’ said Mr Lee. ’So the Americans, willy-nilly with their coalition, have got to establish some semblance of order and transfer authority to the Iraqis, then gradually withdraw and leave the Iraqis in charge.’

As to how long the process would take, Mr Lee suggested that it would depend on who wins the US presidential election in November. He cautioned however that no matter who won, if the Americans showed a lack of will in Iraq, they could land themselves and everybody else in trouble. Mr Lee said that although instability in the Middle East would have a direct impact on Europe, East Asia would also be badly affected in terms of the disruption of oil supplies and the effect on Muslim terrorists operating in this region.

But Mr Lee said he did not think the US would be able to bring about democracy in Iraq. ’I do not believe, with the time that the Americans have at their disposal to stay in Iraq, that they can bring about democracy in Iraq. I think that will be very difficult,’ he said. He noted that it took the US more than 10 years to bring democracy to Japan after World War II, and similarly in the case of post-war Germany.
I tend to agree with Lee that we wont see democracy in Iraq for a while, but I would settle for a sensible strong man. Someone like King Hussein of Jordan.
Posted by: Phil B 2004-06-04
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=34641