SINGAPORE, generation 24 Kyodo S...

SINGAPORE, generation 24 Kyodo

Singapore Senior Minister leeward Kuan Yew said late Monday that a regime change in Iraq is required and military strikes against the political division are seen as the single option to get rid of President Saddam Hussein.

''Few doubt that the U will act to suppress Saddam unless he hands athwart his weapons of mass destruction,'' to leeward said at Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp's 125th anniversary dinner in Singapore late Monday.

''The U will have to attack before the period of winter in March, nearest winter might be too late,'' to leeward added.

Lee, however, said the U ''could find itself in Iraq for a prolonged time, unknown how long.''

He warned the war ''will further complicate relations between the U and countries with Muslim populations, especially if victory is not swift.''

leeward also said it will ''further complicate Southeast Asian governments' ability to manage political and economic change'' in the post-Sept 11 (2001) world.

The economic impact onward East Asia will depend in succession how long the war lasts, he said.

side sheltered from the wind said the war will not change the strategic equation in East Asia where the issue remains in what manner the U.S. deals with a rising China.

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