Wow, even Singapore is mentioned in Wikileaks.
At the Guardian news site, I saw one of the many US Embassy cables leaked by Wikileaks, and this one detailed a meeting at the Istana, held on May 30, 2009.
MM Lee was quoted telling US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg that Kim Jong Il was a "flabby old chap" who "prances around stadiums seeking adulation".
The man doesn't mince his words, does he?
You can read the rest at the Guardian or at Wikileaks itself.
Excerpt from "US embassy cables: Former Singapore PM on 'psychopathic' North Koreans":
"MM Lee said he wishes the USG well in its efforts on North Korea, but he would be surprised if the North Koreans agree to give up nuclear weapons. They might give up a first-strike capacity, but they want nuclear weapons in case the USG decides to seek regime change. They are psychopathic types, with a "flabby old chap" for a leader who prances around stadiums seeking adulation. MM Lee noted that he had learned from living through three and a half years of Japanese occupation in Singapore that people will obey authorities who can deny them food, clothing and medicine…"
I also thought it quaint that the Americans refered to the Istana as "The Presidential Palace" even though yes, Istana means "palace" in Malay.
In case you're wondering, I got that photo of Kim from my new favourite photo blog, Kim Jong-Il Looking at Things.
