SINGAPORE WOULD CONSIDER ARMED MERCHANT MARINE

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000718 SENSITIVE SIPDIS EAP/MTS - M. COPPOLA PM/ISO - J. FREDERICK EEB/TRA/OTP - D. HAYWOOD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT MARR PHSA PARM KOMC PREL ECON ETRD SN SUBJECT: SINGAPORE WOULD CONSIDER ARMED MERCHANT MARINE VESSELS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS REF: STATE 45331 ¶1. (SBU) MFA Special Projects Deputy Director Iris Chen sent the below response in reply to reftel demarche seeking information on Singapore's laws concerning armed security teams aboard U.S. merchant vessels. In a follow-up conversation with Poloff, Chen acknowledged that the response does not specifically answer the questions posed in the demarche and said she had been instructed to provide only a general overview of the laws that pertain to the issue. Chen added that the GOS would consider each request to bring in weapons for security teams aboard merchant vessels on a case-by-case basis. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: Given the large number of U.S.-flagged merchant vessels that transit Singapore, it is unlikely that the GOS would be able to sustain a case-by-case policy over the long term. The GOS likely did not consider this issue prior to our demarche, and any substantive policy changes on this issue would undoubtedly entail significant interagency coordination prior to the announcement or implementation of any new rules. End Comment. Begin Text -------------- "No firearms may be brought into Singapore without prior authorization. When a vessel calls at Singapore's ports, they will have to comply with the Maritime and Port Authority's regulations for firearms carried onboard the vessel. The specific conditions will be made available to vessels when such declaration is made. If the crew is disembarking, an application will have to be made to the Singapore Police Force for the firearms to be stored at an authorized armoury. Special escort arrangements will be required. "Where a person has been detained on account of having committed an offence of a serious nature in Singapore's territorial waters by the crew, they can be handed over to the nearest Singapore Police Officer or Singapore Police Station for appropriate action to be taken. Where detention is by the police without a warrant, the person detained should be brought before a Magistrate's court within 48 hours. The Singapore Police Force investigates into all arms-related offences and the Attorney General's Chambers directs all Court prosecutions." End Text. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm SHIELDS