Singapore -> Russia (Diplomatic Cable)

[AsianSchnitzel]

To: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office of Russia Jay
From: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Singapore
Secured Line

Greetings fellow nation-state, a warm welcome from the city state of Singapore to our northern neighbor, we extend our warm words to you to officially open diplomatic channels with your country to foster positive bilateral relationships between our two nations, such potential partnerships shall include many potential benefits that can shape our nations for the better, may it economic or even military partnerships, the sky is the limit. We also offer limitless trade partnerships so that goods from Russia can be easily accessed by our citizens.

If Russia is willing to visit us at our MFA office, at 1 Sherwood Road, (Tanglin) Singapore 248163, or is willing for us to visit Russia, we are honored either way, if the first option is preferred then we are ready to provide logistical services and hotel accommodation.

We look forward in solidifying and furthering potential cooperation between Singapore and Russia as we are interested in helping the Russian people get to know our beautiful city, we already have a number of Russian tourists here in our city and would be excited to increase that number in the future.

We have many services to offer, famously our banks are one of the most safe and richest banks in southeast Asia and would be glad to have Russian clients consider us as one of their major partners. All in all more are to be discussed and would prefer a face to face meeting from our counterparts.

Sincerely,

Mr. Xin Weizou, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Republic of Singapore

 

[Jay]

МИД РФ Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted​

[Recipient]: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore < AsianSchnitzel > [Sender]: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian Federation < SmirnovaaFE@MOFA.ru.gov > [Subject]: RE: Diplomatic Relations

I hope this email finds you well. Thank you for reaching out to our office. Her Excellency the Minister is currently unavailable due to a national security meeting. She has expressed her interest in developing relations with Singapore, and one that will be a positive anchor for Southeast Asia. In addition to free trade relations, we are hopeful to see positive economic, travel, and maritime cooperation. It would be preferable for us for you to visit Moscow in the coming days. Given certain restrictions that require significant attention from the government. In addition, I am sure you will be able to meet potential Russian clients for maritime, banking, or other commercial sectors in your country. Kind regards, Fenya Smirnova Director for South & Southeast Asia Russian Federation

 

[AsianSchnitzel]

To: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office of Russia Jay
From: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Singapore
Status: Classified | Protected by ISD (Internal Security Department)

Greetings, Director Fenya Smirnova

Due to our similar circumstances, as many of our primary officials have also been busy at the moment, The ambassadors office to the Russian Federation will be handling any official communications between our two nations, in addition, we have also expressed similar excitement into discussing future Singaporean and Russian bilateral cooperation's.

As the representative ambassador I am accepting your offer to visit Moscow for further talks with high level clients within Russia's private and government sectors. I shall be heading there as soon as I am able to.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Jae Anderson Woo,
Ambassador to the Russian Federation
Republic of Singapore

 

[Jay]

Singaporean Ambassador to Russia, Jae Anderson Woo, received a call from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, giving her the invitation to meet with Director Smirnova. The agenda, which would be amended, to represent the recent situation in Singapore and allow the Russian Government to express its concerns

As the Singaporean Ambassador to Russia arrived at the Ministry she could sense it was not simply business as usual. The usually warm was replaced by some unusually cold that made the normal feel of walking into the Ministry a welcoming atmosphere. She would be received by the Russian secretary who would escort her to the Directors office. The sounds of murmuring voices echoed off the marble floors as diplomats and officials bustled about their business.

As she was led down a long hallway, the Ambassador would arrive at a large wooden door that was guarded by two stern-faced security officers. The officers exchanged a few words with the Ambassador's escort before allowing her to pass through the door and into the well-lit room.

The room was sparsely decorated, with only a few chairs and a large conference table dominating the space. The only sources of light were the dim glow of a few lamps and the soft light that filtered in through the windows.

She would be greeted by Director Fenya Smirnova, a rather shorter lady, her hair in a bob cut, as she stood up to greet the Ambassador. As Ambassador Woo took her seat, Smirnova took the liberty of starting the conversation.

"Ambassador Woo, thank you for taking the time to come speak with us. Before we get onto other matters I was asked to raise my government's position regarding the situation in Singapore." She paused to read out the handout. "The Government of Russia wishes to express it concern over the violence on school campuses in Singapore. We urge restraint on the part of the Singaporean Government and to be mindful of the safety of students including Russians who are on these campuses.

While Russia respects this as an internal matter to which Singaporeans and their government must work out a workable arrangement, we are further concerned about linguistic ultranationalism. Whether it is in the Ukraine or in Singapore this is a matter which breeds division and runs contrary to established norms of multiethnic societies.

While we understand that different countries may have differing views on certain issues, we do hope that Singapore will continue to show restraint as it makes the best decision for its internal interests. The Russian Government affirms that it has no desire to intervene in the internal affairs of Singapore, which we wholly respect." She closed with as she put down the paper and looked back at Ambassador Woo.

I hope I have expressed my government's position clearly on the matter. If you have any concerns, wish to address any misconceptions, or advocate differently please feel free to do so. If not, we may move on to the other business we have. I am hopeful to hear your government's desired plans for positive bilateral relations."

AsianSchnitzel

 

[AsianSchnitzel]

As the Director finished speaking, the ambassador begins.

"Well, Director, you have a very unusual way to host guests, personally, I'd felt I was heading to a secret meeting, underground, and its quite unique, I should say, plus this huge table around us, quite distant from you and I, hopefully there is not some kind of political statement Russia want to convey to us indirectly?.

"anyway, moving on to more important affairs, I believe that somehow I appreciate your directness in regards to addressing certain points, let me just make my own comment regarding those, If I may,"

"Firstly, we understand your concerns, in regards to our issues at home and we appreciate your opinion on it, on behalf of my government, we would like to clarify that our population is indeed very diverse, like you pointed out, almost everyone are multilingual, almost everyone speaks mandarin, and are very fluent in English, some may agree that it can be considered as another first language, but there isn't a point of being first if there are two winners right?. These hindrances are temporary at the moment, Singaporeans are known to be adaptable despite being faced with many difficult choices in life. We are a multicultural nation for a reason and to solidify an indigenous national language is no different from making the English language the national language of many English speaking nations, one example is the US, which you can agree, is more diverse than any other country in the world right now, immigrants, locals have to learn their national language, which solidifies their nations cultural identity. The same idea is being implemented by my government, so you see, this changes nothing for us, on a national level of course, but as with major changes in policy, there will always be setbacks, and these setbacks will eventually be overcome by all Singaporeans, so yes, we understand your worry, but need not to lose sleep over it, your health and wellbeing is of significant importance to us, director."

"Second, the real reason why you and I are here. Director, Since I am inspired by your directness let me reciprocate such feeling. What can Singapore do for Russia and what Russia can do for Singapore, many things on my mind but let me sum it up, Economic, Military, Environment, Political. If there are more subjects in mind, don't hesitate on mentioning it. Shall we start doing proper, bilateral, business." She then gestures her hand, towards her counterpart, "please, the floor is yours."

Jay