Cablegate: Engaging Singapore On Climate Change in Run-Up To

VZCZCXRO3684
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGP #2148 3390143
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050143Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4536
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 002148

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ENRG KGHG ECON ETRD PREL SN
SUBJECT: ENGAGING SINGAPORE ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN RUN-UP TO
BALI UN CONFERENCE

REF: A. STATE 159374

B. SINGAPORE 2092

1. (SBU) Singapore officials have welcomed ref A points and
other information we have provided as part of our engagement
with Singapore in the run-up to the UN Climate Conference in
Bali this month. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Principal
Private Secretary (PPS) Lawrence Wong confirmed to the DCM on
December 3 that PM Lee will travel to Bali, most likely to
deliver a speech outlining Singapore's position on climate
change. Ministry of Environment and Water Resources
officials separately expressed their appreciation for our
"very constructive" information and said they would convey
these materials to Singapore's delegation.

2. (SBU) GOS officials have also indicated that the ASEAN
declaration concerning the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, which ASEAN leaders
endorsed during their November summit in Singapore, contains
points similar to the USG position (ref B). In particular,
both ASEAN and the United States:

-- recognize the significance of the Fourth Assessment Report
of the intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC);

-- agree that the post-2012 framework should be concluded
under the UNFCC;

-- agree that the Bali conference presents an excellent
opportunity to reach consensus on how to move forward;

-- agree that the post-2012 framework must take into account
national circumstances and sustainable development;

-- recognize the importance of developing and promoting the
use of advanced, climate-friendly technologies; and

-- agree that climate change must be addressed in national
development plans.

3. (SBU) Singapore has no plans to take a position in Bali
that differs from the declaration. PPS Wong told us that
Singapore would support whatever consensus emerges during the
conference. Singapore is neither a major energy consumer nor
carbon emitter. But as a small island state, it is concerned
about the possibility of rising sea levels. Singapore
ratified the Kyoto Protocol in April 2006.

Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD

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