16 August 1999
Remarks by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, During the Visit to Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
Three years ago, on 30 July 1996, I had the pleasure of launching the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS) and announcing that S R Nathan had been appointed as the Institute’s first Director.
In the last three years, Ambassador Nathan has built up the Institute from scratch and has transformed IDSS into a recognised and well-respected institution in academic circles as well as among foreign governments and military establishments.
Much of what the IDSS has achieved must be attributed to Ambassador Nathan, who personally planned and organised many activities, working through his extensive network of friends and acquaintances world-wide.
Among the achievements of IDSS, three are worthy of special mention. First, the IDSS launched the “Strategic Challenges in the Asia-Pacific Distinguished Lecture” Series which has featured the US Secretary of Defence, the Defence Ministers of the PRC, France and New Zealand and the Foreign Minister of Australia.
Second, IDSS organised several public talks by prominent political personalities including the latest series of talks by Amien Rats, Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati and Mazuki Darusman.
Third, IDSS organised three international conferences, in 1997 on the subject of “Preventive Diplomacy” (with the London International Institute of Strategic Studies), in 1998 on “The Future of the ARF” and most recently, on 2 to 10 August this year the Summer School for Senior Military Officers from the Asia-Pacific.
The IDSS has also completed the inaugural Master of Science in Strategic Studies –programme with ten students graduating.
The second course commenced in July, and includes three foreign students. In addition to the M.Sc Programme, IDSS also teaches various courses at the SAF Military Institute.
IDSS has also published several working papers and two books and is running several ongoing research projects.
All this indicates an active and thriving research environment brought about by an enthusiastic and energetic Director who has succeeded in promoting greater interest in strategic and defence issues in Singapore and in the region.
MINDEF and Singapore have benefited from what Ambassador Nathan and the IDSS have achieved and I would like to convey my thanks to Ambassador Nathan for his able stewardship of the Institute during its crucial initial years.
In less than a month’s time, S R will leave the IDSS to assume a wider role as the President of Singapore.
With S R’s affable personality, mature judgement and long experience in Government, diplomacy and the private sector, I am confident that he will fully measure to the requirements of the Presidency and discharge his responsibilities with distinction and grace.
IDSS’ loss is the nation’s gain.
We wish S R all the best as he prepares to take on the onerous responsibilities of the highest office in the land.
