MFA Spokesman's Comments

n response to media queries on the attached AFP report, an MFA Spokesman said:

" Singapore does not condone any acts of terrorism. Wherever we can, we will be helpful to Indonesia or to any country in their fight against terrorist activities. Our cooperation with Indonesia on this aspect has been good and the relevant security agencies have been studying together with the Indonesian authorities how this can be further improved. As far as we are aware, there is no evidence that any Singaporean parties are involved in such activities but if such evidence surfaces, they will certainly be dealt with in an appropriate way in accordance with our laws."

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
30 AUGUST 2001

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JAKARTA, Aug 30 (AFP) - Indonesia''s intelligence agency will sign an agreement with its Singapore counterpart amid signs that guns are being smuggled from the tiny island state to Indonesia''s restive provinces, its chief said Thursday.

"The National Intelligence Body is preparing a memorandum of understanding with Singapore''s intelligence so that we can work together effectively to detect Singaporeans who take part in supplying arms to volatile regions in Indonesia," A.M. Hendropriyono said.

"Guns have been smuggled to Indonesia for political purposes," Hendropriyono told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

He said Singapore''s intelligence had identified the persons involved in smuggling guns to Indonesia.

On Wednesday retired Philippine general Eduardo Ermita, a security adviser to Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, charged that Abu Sayyaf rebels were funnelling arms to separatists guerrillas in the Indonesian provinces of Aceh
and Irian Jaya.

str/tn/sm/am
AFP 300621 GMT AUG 01