SALE OF SWEDISH ARMS VIA SINGAPORE

Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence if he will comment on (i) the investigation by the Swedish Government of the sale of Swedish arms to certain Middle East countries via Singapore; and (ii) the action taken by the Swedish Government to restrict the export of Swedish arms to Singapore.

Mr Goh Chok Tong: In September 1985, a representative of the Swediah Government informed my Ministry that his Government was investigating a Swedish company's involvement in any possible irregular re-exports of arms by it via Singapore; and that because of the investigation, his Government imposed a restriction on the Swedish company's export of arms. The Swedish representative requested for a written confirmation from my Ministry that the arms supplied by the Swedish company, pursuant to two procurement contracts in 1979 and 1981, were for the exclusive use of the Singapore Armed Forces and had not been exported to any third country. As this was in fact the case, my Ministry gave the confirmation.

My Ministry was informed on the 22nd October 1985 by the Swedish Ambassador that his Government has since lifted the restriction on the export of military equipment to Singapore.

My Ministry is satisfied that no person or entity within the jurisdiction of my Ministry has breached any Singapore laws or policies in this matter.