SEN. WEBB: Thank you very much, Ambassador DeLisi.
And just for the record, we all know that this process, this nomination process, is long and extensive, and all three of our nominees have undergone a very extensive vetting process in terms of conflicts of interests and finances and all those sorts of things, so this is the culmination of many, many months of preparation for all three of you. I also would point out that in terms of other potential questions, the hearing record will remain open until the close of business tomorrow in case other senators wish to ask questions for the record.
Let me start with Mr. Adelman. You have long experience in the law and also in public service, and this will be your -- at least from the record -- will be your first experience in actually working abroad. Could you describe for this committee the motivation behind this assignment and the preparation you have done in order to undertake this position?
MR. ADELMAN: I will.
Thank you for the question, Mr. Chairman, for a few reasons, not the least of which it gives me an opportunity to brag a little bit about some of the support I've already received from the Department of State and the related agencies. I'll be relying very heavily on people with great subject-matter expertise in every aspect of our relationship in Singapore. We have a very deep breadth, and I appreciate the opportunity to recognize that.
Truth be told, my support for President Obama during the campaign over the last few years was motivated primarily by what I believed was a need to restart and reinvigorate and rebuild some of our relationships abroad, so when given the opportunity to serve in the federal government, I was highly motivated to accept this opportunity to work in international affairs and especially with such a strong partner in Southeast Asia as is Singapore.
But you're most certainly correct that this is my first time in the federal government and my first opportunity to work overseas.
I think that my track record as a leader, my track record of good judgment and my decisive style was in part what led President Obama, with the support of Secretary Clinton, to ask me to take on this mission.
SEN. WEBB: Thank you.
The Economist Democracy Index ranks Singapore as 82nd in the world in terms of democratic development, below neighbors such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Reporters Without Borders ranks the country 133rd out of 175 for press freedoms. At the same time, as I mentioned in my opening statement, Singapore maintains vibrant political institutions, strong rule of law, a very high level of per capita income, a very sophisticated domestic infrastructure in terms of health care and housing and all those sorts of things.
In light of these facts and of the solid American-Singapore relationship, what is your view in terms of whether and how the United States should engage Singapore on these other issues?
MR. ADELMAN: My view is the United States must engage Singapore on these issues. You identified the area where, quite candidly, Singapore needs the most improvement if it were to live up to the ambitions Americans have for democracy.
Make no mistake, currently Singapore is not a multiparty democracy, and I int, if confirmed, to use public diplomacy to work towards greater press freedoms, greater freedom of assembly and ultimately more political space for opposition parties in Singapore to strengthen Singapore into a multiparty democracy. I hope to bring some of my experiences in government and in the private sector to our public diplomacy efforts run out of Embassy Singapore.
SEN. WEBB: When I discuss the United States' security relationship with Singaporeans, one of the phrases that consistently comes up is that they are a place and not a base. I think it's very important in terms of how Singapore views its ability to assist without having an obligation to do so.
Would you care to comment on your view of the American- Singapore defense relationships?
MR. ADELMAN: Yes. And make no mistake, Singapore is not a treaty ally. They are a very strong partner and especially so in military cooperation.
One example that's often cited was Singapore's construction in 2001 of a pier and logistics facilities to accommodate a U.S. Air Force carrier. We have extensive areas of military cooperation, but Singapore has, as is well known, a very strong, indepent military and, candidly, has been an excellent customer for American defense industries and has enjoyed some of the training programs in the United States.
But an indepent Singapore as a strong partner, especially to the extent Singapore can lead regional efforts, does nothing but support American military efforts in the region. And especially with the rise of China, a strong region with indepent military strength, with the type of access and cooperation we enjoy, is of great value to American military efforts, as has been the case for many decades.
SEN. WEBB: Singapore is uniquely depent on both import and export trade not necessarily to its country but to volume of trade, imports and exports as they move through -- into and out of Asia.
Would you have any thoughts on the impact of the recent world's recession on Singapore's viability?
MR. ADELMAN: I'm sorry -- on Singapore's viability? SEN.
WEBB: Economic viability.
MR. ADELMAN: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Singapore has not been immune to the slowdown, as you've noted, and our exports to Singapore were down 30 percent in 2009.
All indicators are that Singapore is recovering from the recession and perhaps bouncing back more quickly and more fully than many other countries around the world. So they've been very measured, with a combination of public investment and holding the line on free trade and conservative sound business management that I think Singapore's viability as a center for trade is not in serious question.
SEN. WEBB: Thank you.
Taken from Federal News Service
And just for the record, we all know that this process, this nomination process, is long and extensive, and all three of our nominees have undergone a very extensive vetting process in terms of conflicts of interests and finances and all those sorts of things, so this is the culmination of many, many months of preparation for all three of you. I also would point out that in terms of other potential questions, the hearing record will remain open until the close of business tomorrow in case other senators wish to ask questions for the record.
Let me start with Mr. Adelman. You have long experience in the law and also in public service, and this will be your -- at least from the record -- will be your first experience in actually working abroad. Could you describe for this committee the motivation behind this assignment and the preparation you have done in order to undertake this position?
MR. ADELMAN: I will.
Thank you for the question, Mr. Chairman, for a few reasons, not the least of which it gives me an opportunity to brag a little bit about some of the support I've already received from the Department of State and the related agencies. I'll be relying very heavily on people with great subject-matter expertise in every aspect of our relationship in Singapore. We have a very deep breadth, and I appreciate the opportunity to recognize that.
Truth be told, my support for President Obama during the campaign over the last few years was motivated primarily by what I believed was a need to restart and reinvigorate and rebuild some of our relationships abroad, so when given the opportunity to serve in the federal government, I was highly motivated to accept this opportunity to work in international affairs and especially with such a strong partner in Southeast Asia as is Singapore.
But you're most certainly correct that this is my first time in the federal government and my first opportunity to work overseas.
I think that my track record as a leader, my track record of good judgment and my decisive style was in part what led President Obama, with the support of Secretary Clinton, to ask me to take on this mission.
SEN. WEBB: Thank you.
The Economist Democracy Index ranks Singapore as 82nd in the world in terms of democratic development, below neighbors such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Reporters Without Borders ranks the country 133rd out of 175 for press freedoms. At the same time, as I mentioned in my opening statement, Singapore maintains vibrant political institutions, strong rule of law, a very high level of per capita income, a very sophisticated domestic infrastructure in terms of health care and housing and all those sorts of things.
In light of these facts and of the solid American-Singapore relationship, what is your view in terms of whether and how the United States should engage Singapore on these other issues?
MR. ADELMAN: My view is the United States must engage Singapore on these issues. You identified the area where, quite candidly, Singapore needs the most improvement if it were to live up to the ambitions Americans have for democracy.
Make no mistake, currently Singapore is not a multiparty democracy, and I int, if confirmed, to use public diplomacy to work towards greater press freedoms, greater freedom of assembly and ultimately more political space for opposition parties in Singapore to strengthen Singapore into a multiparty democracy. I hope to bring some of my experiences in government and in the private sector to our public diplomacy efforts run out of Embassy Singapore.
SEN. WEBB: When I discuss the United States' security relationship with Singaporeans, one of the phrases that consistently comes up is that they are a place and not a base. I think it's very important in terms of how Singapore views its ability to assist without having an obligation to do so.
Would you care to comment on your view of the American- Singapore defense relationships?
MR. ADELMAN: Yes. And make no mistake, Singapore is not a treaty ally. They are a very strong partner and especially so in military cooperation.
One example that's often cited was Singapore's construction in 2001 of a pier and logistics facilities to accommodate a U.S. Air Force carrier. We have extensive areas of military cooperation, but Singapore has, as is well known, a very strong, indepent military and, candidly, has been an excellent customer for American defense industries and has enjoyed some of the training programs in the United States.
But an indepent Singapore as a strong partner, especially to the extent Singapore can lead regional efforts, does nothing but support American military efforts in the region. And especially with the rise of China, a strong region with indepent military strength, with the type of access and cooperation we enjoy, is of great value to American military efforts, as has been the case for many decades.
SEN. WEBB: Singapore is uniquely depent on both import and export trade not necessarily to its country but to volume of trade, imports and exports as they move through -- into and out of Asia.
Would you have any thoughts on the impact of the recent world's recession on Singapore's viability?
MR. ADELMAN: I'm sorry -- on Singapore's viability? SEN.
WEBB: Economic viability.
MR. ADELMAN: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Singapore has not been immune to the slowdown, as you've noted, and our exports to Singapore were down 30 percent in 2009.
All indicators are that Singapore is recovering from the recession and perhaps bouncing back more quickly and more fully than many other countries around the world. So they've been very measured, with a combination of public investment and holding the line on free trade and conservative sound business management that I think Singapore's viability as a center for trade is not in serious question.
SEN. WEBB: Thank you.
Taken from Federal News Service
