International relations

International Relations

SS Diplomacy Forum

Done by: Joan Loke (6) Nazeha (14)

Jasmine Tan (20) Toylene Teo (25)

Definition of International Relations:

• Involve ties among many countries and groupings throughout the world.

• The UN plays an important role as an organisation representing all countries in the world.

Singapore and the UN

Singapore was admitted as the 117th UN member on 21 September 1965.

Singapore's participation

• Ops Nightingale, Gulf War 1991 (medical mission)

• Timor Leste 1999 (UN peacekeeping mission)

• UNIKOM （ UN observation mission)

Ops Nightingale, Gulf War 1991 (medical mission)

• The announcement of war on 15 January 1991 in the Gulf witnessed the mobilization of the largest multi-national force in the bid to reject Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces from Kuwait. In response to a request by the British Government, a 30-strong SAF medical team led by MAJ (Dr) Tan Chi Chiu was assembled and flown to Saudi Arabia in a mission codenamed Operation Nightingale.

One of the many routine drills conducted in preparation against chemical and biological attacks.

• The team set up camp in a 600 bed British Army Rear Hospital and provided treatment such as definitive surgery to casualties as well as Iraqi POWs. Routine drills were constantly conducted against simulated missile, chemical and biological attacks. "Scud dodging" became part of the nightlife and the reality of war struck when Saddam's Scud missiles landed not far from the Rear Hospital.

A total of 210 casualties were treated for injuries ranging from gunshot and shrapnel wounds to blast and burn injuries. Thankfully, this number was much fewer than initially expected.

The SAF medical team celebrating Chinese New Year in the Gulf.

Timor Leste 1999• The 24-year old governance of East Timor under

Indonesia was coming to an end with the United Nations (UN) supervised national referendum to determine the future of its people. But instead of a smooth transition to the formation of a new nation, violent clashes between the two opposing factions followed, resulting in chaos and destruction in Dili, its capital, and in many other regions in East Timor.

• A UN endorsed peace enforcement force, INTERFET (International Force East Timor), headed by the Australian Defence Force, landed in Dili to restore order in the devastated island.

• Singapore reacted quickly. Within days of the turmoil, plans were developed to deploy a SAF team to support INTERFET, and before long, a medical team was being configured in preparation for a launch.

• The SAF Medical Corps’ involvement in support of East Timor lasted an unprecedented four years, seamlessly from October 1999 to October 2003. Hundreds of medical personnel, from all ranks and background spent a part of their lives on that island and many more made their contributions from Singapore.

UNIKOM （ UN observation mission)

• The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) sent the eighth team of military observers to the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM). Led by Lieutenant-Colonel Lim Siang Tong, the four-member team will leave on 10 Apr 1998 and assume official duties as military observers along the Iraq-Kuwait border on 16 Apr 1998. They would replace the seventh SAF team, which has served a one-year tour since Apr 1997.

UNIKOM （ UN observation mission)

• While serving in UNIKOM, the officers will be deployed along the demilitarised zone, which extends ten kilometres into Iraq and five kilometres into Kuwait. They will carry out military observer duties such as patrolling, manning of observation posts, and investigating violations to the ceasefire agreement signed between Iraq and Kuwait on 6 Apr 1991.

• The SAF has been actively involved in UNIKOM since the mission began in 1991

Benefits of International Relations

• UN membership allows Singapore to gain recognition as a sovereign state

• It also helped Singapore to further develop economically and socially

Why is it more beneficial?

• Singapore will be recognised internationally and develop friendship with other nations

• Singapore will be able to extend its help to more countries and vice versa

What are Singapore's national interests?

• Stability

• Safety

• Good health standards

• Efficient working environment

• Industrial peace

What is crucial to its continued success and survival, given its

constraints?• Cooperation between Singaporeans

and the government • Close relationships with other

countries

Singapore UN Peacekeeping Forces Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xarWlDvG2aQ

Credits:

• Google • Youtube• http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_

websites/atozlistings/safmc/operations/overseas/12.html

• http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/safmc/operations/overseas/Ops_Nightingale_Gulf_War_1991.html

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xarWlDvG2aQ

Thank You!