MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESS RELEASE
MFA SPOKESMAN'S COMMENTS ON THE DEMISE OF PHILIPPINE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS BLAS F. OPLE
Foreign Minister S Jayakumar has today conveyed his deepest condolences to Mrs Ople and their family.
In response to media requests for comment on Mr Ople's demise, Minister Jayakumar said:
I am saddened by the news of Philippine Foreign Secretary Blas Ople's demise. He was a good friend whom I have known for many years.
He was a senior statesman with a long and distinguished record of service for the Philippines and ASEAN. Although he was in fragile health, he amazed his ASEAN colleagues in attending all the numerous international meetings and contributing to the discussions. His passing is a deep loss for his country and the region.
Foreign Secretary Ople was also a good friend of Singapore. He had accepted my invitation to make an official visit Singapore in early January next year and I was looking forward to welcoming him in Singapore .
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
14 DECEMBER 2003