Forum: Distinction between foreign policy of words and that of deeds

I have as much respect for Professor Tommy Koh as he says he has for me. It should therefore come as no surprise to him or anyone who knows us that I agree with almost everything he says (Singapore’s foreign policy based on realism, March 5). However, I also think that nothing he has said refutes the argument of my article “

Facing up to the realities of Trump 2.0

” (March 3).

Singapore’s first foreign minister, Mr S. Rajaratnam, once made a crucial distinction between the foreign policy of words and the foreign policy of deeds.

Prof Koh is an inveterate idealist who focuses on words, while I am an inveterate realist who focuses on the harsh eternal verities of international relations which define the foreign policy of deeds.

Focusing on words rather than deeds leads to selective memory – Singapore not only did not condemn the 2003 American invasion of Iraq, but we also joined it because it was in our interest to do so. That invasion was not sanctioned by the United Nations.

I could give other examples when we did not use Asean mechanisms because it was not in our interests.

Foreign policy needs idealism to be disciplined by realism and realism to be tempered by idealism.

Singapore would be in deep trouble if all our diplomats were like Prof Koh; we would also be in trouble, but perhaps just a little less, if all our diplomats were like me.

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