MFA Spokesman's Comments in response to media queries on whether Indonesia has released the detained vessels carrying granite

In response to media queries on whether Indonesia has released the detained vessels carrying granite:

"Indonesia has not released the detained vessels to date. When Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo met Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda in Nuremburg on 15 March 2007, Minister Hassan told Minister Yeo that an inter-departmental team had visited the Riaus to investigate the Indonesian Navy's detention of the tugboats and barges carrying granite bound for Singapore. Minister Hassan assured Minister Yeo that the Indonesian team's verification process would be transparent. As the vessels are still under Indonesian detention and we have not heard from the Indonesians since then, MFA has sent a Third Party Note (diplomatic note) to the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore on 26 March 2007 to seek an update on the results of the Indonesian team's investigation."

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
26 MARCH 2007