DEMARCHE ON 2006 TIP REPORT DELIVERED

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 001834 SIPDIS SIPDIS INL/HSTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KCRM ELAB KWMN SN SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON 2006 TIP REPORT DELIVERED REF: A. STATE 85517 ¶B. STATE 89018 ¶1. Singapore Government officials reiterated their commitment to combating trafficking in persons and expressed satisfaction with Singapore's Tier 1 Ranking in the 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report, in a meeting with Economic/Political Counselor on June 1. EPCouns met with Bambang Sugeng bin Kajairi, incoming head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs North America Branch, as well as representatives of the Ministries of Manpower and Community Development, Youth and Sports to deliver ref A points on the 2006 TIP Report. ¶2. EPCouns praised Singapore's progress in combating both sex and labor trafficking over the past year. He highlighted the important legal changes Singapore is making -- criminalizing commercial sex with under 18-year olds and overseas child sex tourism -- as important steps forward, and encouraged Singapore to focus on further efforts to screen high-risk populations for victims. EPCouns also thanked Singapore for its assistance in gathering the necessary information on law enforcement, and protection and prevention efforts to prepare the report. Bambang said that the government of Singapore looks forward to continuing to work with the United States against trafficking crimes. ¶3. Upon receipt of ref B on June 2, we informed Bambang of the new release schedule for the report. He agreed that Singapore would keep all information embargoed until the Secretary officially released the report. SIPDIS STANTON