The conduct of Singapore's foreign policy and the Vietnam War 1965-1968

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to explore and explain Singaporea??s conduct of foreign policy from 1965 to 1967 with reference to the war between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) and the United States (US). This research is contextualised in the efforts of the ruling Peoplea??s Action Party (PAP) to create a foreign policy based on the maintenance of sovereignty and mitigating Singaporea??s vulnerability. On gaining independence on 9 August 1965 Singapore assumed a strong non-aligned posture and worked to establish its credentials among the Afro-Asian bloc of countries, repudiating a chauvinistic Chinese connection, anti-communism and pro-western affiliation. The Vietnamese conflict was largely opposed by the Afro-Asian bloc and Singapore, as a non-aligned state defender of the principle of respect for national sovereignty, had to join the bloc in maintaining distance from US intervention and often criticising it. The maintenance of its non-aligned policy continued until 1967, when the United Kingdom (UK) announced the decision to reduce its military presence in Southeast Asia. The withdrawal directly undermined the status of defence of the island bringing new considerations and reorientation in Singaporea??s foreign policy. While Singapore decided to build its own defence force, its foreign policy adopted a clearer pro-western posture, especially pro-American stance, culminating in the Singapore premier, Lee Kuan Yewa??s visit to Washington in October 1967.