贺锦丽来访 新加坡派飞机参与美国在阿富汗的撤离

SINGAPORE — Singapore has offered the use of the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) A330 multi-role tanker transporter to help in the evacuation of United States citizens and Afghan refugees from Kabul, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday.

“Countries all over the region, and I’m sure all over the world, are watching the developments in Afghanistan very closely. Foremost in everybody’s minds, it is the safety and security of civilians and I hope all sides will work to ensure this,” said Mr Lee in a joint press conference with US vice-president Kamala Harris at the Istana.

He added that the Singapore Armed Forces is familiar with the challenges in Afghanistan, having deployed military personnel to support the United Nations’ International Security Assistance Force to the country in the past. 

Singapore has also previously sent provincial reconstruction teams to Afghanistan to help with rebuilding efforts.

Responding, Ms Harris, who is on a three-day official visit to Singapore, thanked Mr Lee for Singapore’s offer to aid the US in its Afghan evacuations and said that she looked forward to following up on the discussion.

The US’ thorny withdrawal from Afghanistan, which has led to a flood of Afghans attempting to leave the country and resulted in several deaths, was one of many issues raised during a 90-minute meeting between Mr Lee and Ms Harris.

During the press conference, Singapore and international media pressed Ms Harris about how the evacuation operation has unfolded, and quizzed both leaders about the implications of the withdrawal on US ties with other countries, including Singapore.

SOURCE
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/spore-offers-use-rsaf-transport-aircraft-us-afghanistan-evacuation

坡国也出手相助