"They would have also had to pay a substantial amount for facilities for the huge number of journalists that covered the summit. " why??? let the RAT L$M pay their own way...
Posted on 06/24/2018 12:37:57 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The meeting was the culmination of a rapid detente between Pyongyang and Washington and saw Kim commit to working towards denuclearisation, although critics noted the summit agreement was vague and non-binding.
Singapore said on Sunday it spent 16.3 million Singapore dollars (USD 12 million) on the historic US-North Korea summit, adding it was less than initially anticipated after some in the city-state complained about the high cost. US President Donald Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong Un met in Singapore on June 12 for talks aimed at ending a tense nuclear standoff.
The meeting was the culmination of a rapid detente between Pyongyang and Washington and saw Kim commit to working towards denuclearisation, although critics noted the summit agreement was vague and non-binding.
Singapore, an affluent financial hub, was seen as a good choice for the summit due to its warm ties with both the US and North Korea, and reputation for strict order.
But some Singaporeans thought welcoming the mercurial leaders was more an annoyance than an honour, particularly when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong estimated the tiny state would have to shell out 20 million dollars (USD 14.7 million) to host the meeting.
However in the end, the cost incurred by the government was about 16.3 million dollars, the biggest part of which was spent on security, said a ministry of foreign affairs spokesman in a statement. It noted that Singapore had "supported the international efforts to achieve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula".
Tightly-controlled Singapore rolled out a massive security operation for the meeting, deploying thousands of police, setting up road-blocks and banning flares and loudhailers near summit venues to prevent protests. As well as the security operation, the Singapore government footed the bill for the delegation from the sanctions-hit North, including Kim's stay at the luxury St Regis hotel, according to the BBC.
They would have also had to pay a substantial amount for facilities for the huge number of journalists that covered the summit.
The clampdown was disruptive for many residents in the usually placid city-state of 5.6 million -- although some observers said hosting the summit amounted to a PR coup that would ultimately benefit Singapore.
Agreed. Singapore couldn’t buy this much good will for ten times that much. Not to mention that Singapore will be a major trading partner with NK. This author’s characterization of them as a ‘tiny state’ is laughabale and an attempt to dig at Trump for taking advantage of them. They have a GDP of almost $300 billion.
"They would have also had to pay a substantial amount for facilities for the huge number of journalists that covered the summit. " why??? let the RAT L$M pay their own way...
Most of the “large” countries in Africa wish they had that. As a matter of fact, the total sub-Saharan Africa has a GDP equal to Belgium.
I’m sure they paid their own way. So again the author of the original piece is an idiot. Why would the country hosting the summit pay for the foreign reporter’s hotels, meals and hookers? We just do that for the UN in New York.
“Agreed. Singapore couldn’t buy this much good will for ten times that much.”
For sure. Those of us who have traveled frequently to Asia are aware of Singapore’s beauty, moderity, etc. But, those who haven’t traveled there are not. Consequently, Singapore received far more value in positive exposure than the amount they spent on the summit.
I had no idea they were that wealthy... That's very 'first world' stuff...
A bargain, in lieu of a defense budget.
They have a strong military and regularly spend up to 5% of GDP on defense, much more than most NATO members.
https://thediplomat.com/2018/02/whats-behind-singapores-new-defense-budget-numbers/
Ever 11th Singapore adult is a millionaire.
I’m guessing that the port of Singapore will stand to see a large increase in business if trade with North Korea is opened up. Even more so if they used this meeting and expenses paid as incentive to set up some exclusive shipping contracts in the future.
Speaking on the UN...
WHY is that monolithic tribute to the evil one himself still standing on our soil???
Every piece of filth there should be sent a-packing back home yesterday and the place brought down by noon tomorrow.
That is impressive. They live in a rough neighborhood, though. Every bit helps.
i sure hope so
Is that even possible?
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