SINGAPORE (AP) – Vice President Kamala Harris said Monday that the United States must remain focused on evacuating vulnerable Americans and Afghans and not be distracted by questions about what went wrong in the chaotic American exit from Afghanistan.
At a press conference in Singapore, Harris repeatedly declined to answer questions about what he believed could have been done differently in the pullout.
“There is no question that there will and should be a major analysis of what has happened, but right now there is no question that our priority must be to evacuate American citizens, Afghans who worked with us, and vulnerable Afghans, including women. and kids”.
Harris answered questions alongside Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after about two hours of meetings between the two officials to discuss issues such as responding to COVID-19, cybersecurity and supply chain cooperation.
The press conference was dominated by questions about Afghanistan, after the giddy American exit raised concerns about the United States’ engagement with its allies elsewhere.
Harris’ visit to Singapore and Vietnam this week is seen as the Biden administration’s first real test of reaffirming its resolve to key allies.
Prime Minister Lee offered his country’s support for the US decision to withdraw, saying Singapore is “grateful” for US efforts to combat terrorism in Afghanistan. He also offered the United States the employment of Singapore Air Force transports to help with the evacuation and said his country is waiting for Washington’s next step.
“What matters now is how the United States repositiones itself in Asia Pacific, how it interacts with the region and continues to fight terrorism, because that will determine the perception in countries of the United States’ global priorities and all of its strategic intentions.”
Harris’s trip to Singapore and then to Vietnam this week aims to expand cooperation with both countries to provide a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the region. The vice president was expected to address economic and security issues, as well as efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The vice president was scheduled to visit the Changi Naval Base, where she would speak to US soldiers aboard the USS Tulsa, a combat ship.
Harris will deliver a speech Tuesday to detail the Joe Biden administration’s vision for the region, and is scheduled to meet with business leaders to discuss supply chain issues.
This is Harris’ second foreign tour at the post, following his June trip to Guatemala and Mexico. It is also the first visit by a US vice president to Vietnam.