Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SINGAPORE718
2009-07-30 09:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
SINGAPORE WOULD CONSIDER ARMED MERCHANT MARINE
how-toVZCZCXRO9928 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHGP #0718 2110903 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 300903Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7007 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2251 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5996 RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 6497 RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
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
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
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