"We are negotiating a strategic framework for defence with the US," Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence Tony Tan told journalists at the Istana presidential palace.

"We will not be an ally but we will deepen our engagement with the US in defence and security," he added.

Singapore is one of the staunchest US supporters in Southeast Asia.

It gave access to US warships and military aircraft after American bases in the Philippines were shut down in the early 1990s, and has played a non-combat role supporting US troops in Iraq.

Singapore has air force training detachments in the United States, including F-16 fighter centres in Arizona and New Mexico.

Tan, also one of two deputy prime ministers, gave no details about the planned security framework.

"Singapore supports the presence of the US military in this part of the world," he said, adding that this contributed to regional stability in Southeast Asia.

"I don't think that the deployment of troops from the bases in Korea and in Japan would in any way lessen the effectiveness of the US military to operate in this part of the world," he said.

President George W. Bush said Monday the United States would withdraw up to 70,000 troops from Europe and Asia over the next decade in a move to meet new threats particularly terrorism.

Germany will bear the brunt of the biggest US military reorganisation in 50 years, defence officials said.

The United States has already announced plans to withdraw about 12,500 troops, one-third of its 37,000-strong contingent, from South Korea.

Bush said the United States wanted "a more agile and flexible force" and that between 60,000 and 70,000 troops would return to the United States along with about 100,000 civilian employees and families of soldiers.

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