RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
FM SINGAPORE
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 7
OF 0209OOZ MAY 90
(AMENDED DISTRIBUTION 2/5)
INFO IMMEDIATE FCO, PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
INFO IMMEDIATE JSIS HONG KONG
12
054760 MDHIAN 8907
HKB 060/
GODDESS OF DEMOCRACY
1. GODDESS OF DEMOCRACY ARRIVED IN SINGAPORE EARLY THIS MORNING AND IS CURRENTLY ANCHORED IN THE EASTERN ANCHORAGE.
2. ACCORDING TO THE FRENCH EMBASSY HERE, WHO ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE FRENCH PUBLICATION ACTUEL'' (ORGANISERS OF THE GODDESS OF DEMOCRACY PROJECT). THE VESSEL INTENDS TO TAKE ON FUEL AND SUPPLIES AND LEAVE SINGAPORE FOR KEELUNG (TAIWAN) TONIGHT. THE FRENCH BELIEVE THAT THE TAIWANESE HAVE AGREED TO MAKE AVAILABLE THE NECESSARY FACILITIES AND SAY THAT THE VESSEL DOES NOT (NOT) INTEND TO CALL AT HONG KONG.
3. CHAN HENG WING (DIRECTOR, MFA) TOLD HEAD OF CHANCERY IN CONFIDENCE TODAY (PLEASE PROTECT) THAT THE SINGAPOREANS HAD BEEN ASKED BY THE CHINESE, BOTH HERE AND IN BEIJING, NOT TO EXTEND PORT FACILITIES TO THE GODDESS OF DEMOCRACY. IN RESPONSE, THE SINGAPOREANS HAVE TOLD THE CHINESE THAT THEY DO NOT WISH TO MAKE A POLITICAL ISSUE OUT OF THE USE OF SINGAPORE'S PORT FACILITIES. SINGAPORE OPERATES AN 'OPEN PORT'' POLICY UNDER WHICH THEY ARE PREPARED TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ANY VESSEL THAT DOES NOT CONTRAVENE SINGAPORE'S LAWS OR REPRESENT A THREAT TO SINGAPORE'S NATIONAL SECURITY. THEY WOULD NOT DENY ACCESS ON POLITICAL GROUNDS.
4.
THE SINGAPOREANS ARE NEVERTHELESS WELL AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THEIR RELATIONS WITH CHINA OF BEING SEEN TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE GODDESS OF DEMOCRACY AND ARE ATTEMPTING TO KEEP THEIR HEADS DOWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THEY WILL NOT BE MAKING ANY PUBLIC STATEMENTS IF THEY CAN AVOID IT.
5. WE UNDERSTAND THATR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GODDESS OF DEMOCRACY PROJECT ARE DUE TO GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE HERE THIS EVENING BEFORE THE VESSEL SAILS.
PIKE
1
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