Last update - 00:00 19/02/2008
Defense Min. in Singapore set to publicly attend weapons expo
By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent
Defense Minister Ehud Barak arrived in Singapore on Monday for a secretly-planned visit billed by sources close to him as 'significant'. The visit is aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries, whose relations are seen as fragile.
Barak is expected to participate in an international defense industry exhibit as well as an Israeli defense industry exhibit.
Sources close to Barak said that during his visit, other Israeli officials of varying rank would also publicly participate in a weapons exhibit, rather than maintaining secrecy as they have done on past Singapore visits of this kind.
Israeli-Singapore relations have been clandestine for years, mostly at Singapore's firm insistence that they remain so. However, assertions that the countries have engaged in weapons deals and trade while keeping their dealings 'low profile' have frequently been published in the press.
Barak is expected to remain in Singapore until the weekend and attend several meetings. He is accompanied in Singapore by his wife, his military secretary, and Defense Ministry director Pinchas Bochrim.