some updates..
Singapore reconsiders ban on activists attending IMF/WB
meeting
Last Updated 15/09/2006, 10:19:21
Singapore says it may admit some of the 27 civil rights activists
it has barred from an IMF-World Bank meeting, a move the World Bank
says is an insufficient response.
Singapore originally blocked the activists from attending the
September meetings on the grounds they posed a threat to security
and public order.
In an apparent attempt to placate the monetary chiefs, who along
with the European Union have criticised the city-state's tight
security, Singapore said it was willing to reconsider the ban on
the activists.
"The IMF/WB have asked the government to allow in the 27
activists," the Singapore 2006 Organising Committee said in a
statement.
"The government has responded that if these activists travel to
Singapore, we will assess at the point of entry whether they pose a
security or safety risk.
"If we judge the risk to be acceptable for that particular
activist, we are prepared to allow him or her in. However, we
cannot guarantee that all 27 activists will be admitted to
Singapore."
The statement was issued shortly after World Bank President Paul
Wolfowitz met with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
A World Bank official said the statement was not a sufficient
response to give the individuals in question the assurance that
they would be granted access.
"We have accredited these individuals based on clearance by their
respective governments and we believe they should be able to
participate in our meetings," he said.
Mr Wolfowitz said earlier that he hoped the ban on the activists
was not a case of censorship, adding that it might be in breach of
a 2003 agreement with the city-state.
But the Singapore 2006 committee said the memorandum of
understanding signed between IMF/WB and the Singapore government
"obliges Singapore to take all necessary measures for the safe
passage of all persons in and out of Singapore".
Earlier, Singapore police said they had detained three Singaporeans
who were planning to distribute flyers criticising the IMF and
World Bank and had seized their computers.
Police spokesman Mohamed Razif said they were investigating the men
under legislation stating that anyone possessing materials which
contain "any incitement to violence or counselling disobedience to
the law" would be jailed for up to three years or fined, or
both.
On Wednesday, Singapore deported two Filipino activists who had
been planning to join anti-IMF protests.
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1741554.htm
