MFA Spokesman's Comments on NST Article "Bridge Talks End on Promising Note

MFA SPOKESMAN'S COMMENTS

NEW STRAITS TIMES ARTICLE "BRIDGE TALKS END ON PROMISING NOTE" DATED 20 OCTOBER 2005

In response to media queries on the above, the MFA Spokesman said:

"In its article 'Bridge talks end on promising note' dated 20 October 2005, the New Straits Times (NST) characterised the outcome of the talks as a 'breakthrough'. This misrepresents what happened during the meeting. Although the senior officials had a good meeting, nothing has been agreed to on the bridge and other outstanding bilateral issues. In particular, Singapore has not agreed 'in principle' to the construction of the bridge to replace the Causeway. Such speculative reports are counterproductive while these discussions are ongoing.

As stated by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo in Parliament on 17 October 2005, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi had agreed that it would not be helpful to publicise the details of discussions on the outstanding bilateral issues at this juncture. Malaysian officials have also denied releasing such information to the media. It is therefore unfortunate that such misrepresentations persist."

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
21 OCTOBER 2005