281105:Australian on rest row and Singapore Drug Hipocrisy

28-Nov-2005

In last few days, the Australian media and politicians pickup the subject of Singapore's complicity with Burmese drug barons and junta.

Of course, the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander 'Dumb' Downer was unwilling to put on the record about the hypocrisy of Singapore on drug-smuggling vs drug-money-laundering. For several years, it has been on record that Stephen Law, the son of Burma's notorious drug lord Lo Hsing Han, had several businesses in Singapore and Burma. Further, the United States had refused Stephen Law entry visa because of his alleged involvement in drug-money-laundering.

Singapore, whilst giving red-carpet treatment to the Mr. Big in drug dealings who have stacks of cash, has never hesitate to severely punish and execute small mules like Van Ngyuen. Downer defending Singapore's drug hypocrisy is an obvious cowardice of him.

The question of whether Singapore has hypocritical stance on drug trafficking will become no-longer just an academic interests, especially in Australia, if Singaporean government choose to execute Van Nguyen.

Here in Australia (just forget about government and the media), the public is really feeling uneasy about Van Nguyen to be executed. Of course, Singapore has the right to exercise its sovereign power, and imposing its rest penalty on convicted drug smuggler.

But, if Australian public get angry --which inevitably they will-- about Van Nguyen's end, the Singapore will have to pay the price for its hypocrisy on drug-smuggling vs. drug-money-laundering. Make no mistakes, from consumer boycotts to diplomatic retaliations that may results if the Australian public get angry. (For consumer boycotts against Singapore, too many that are willing to give a hand.) Should that occur, Singapore and businesses should make no complaint about these consequential actions.

There is hope Van Nguyen is still alive, help write polite letters to the Singapore Government and the Commissioner in Canberra. Ask the Singapore government to commute the rest penalty of Van Nguyen.

Regards, U Ne Oo.

#Singapore address are at the end of this message.

--------------- Interview with Australian Foreign Minister (Transcript of doorstop: Melbourne - 23 November 2005) The Hon. Alexander Downer, MP MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AUSTRALIA Doorstop - Melbourne - Van Nguyen .....

QUESTION: There has been some publicity today about the fact that Singapore, while it executes drug mules like Van Nguyen, at the same time has very big track with people in Burma who actually produce the drugs. You've obviously read these -- D

OWNER: I read an article in The Australian.

QUESTION: What do you feel about that? Do you think it is hypocrisy?

DOWNER: Well Singapore has diplomatic relations with Burma firstly, and secondly there are a number of Singapore companies that have invested in Burma. But Singapore has its laws and to be honest, I don't think we are going to get anywhere in this discussion about trying to save Van Nguyen by suggesting that Singapore is giving a nudge and a wink to drug traffickers. I don't think Singapore does. I think many of us in Australia would argue it is tough to a fault, but it is incredibly tough on drug trafficking. I don't think there is any doubt about that, and no I don't think they are being hypocritical.

Australians attack Singapore over hanging Appeals to

Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong Prime Minister's Office Istana, Orchard Rd Singapore 238823 Fax: 0015 65 6332 8983 Salutation: Dear Prime Minister

Minister of Law Prof. S. Jayakumar Ministry of Law 100 High Street The Treasury #08-02 Singapore 179434 Fax: 0015 65 6332 8842 Salutation: Dear Minister

Attorney General Chan Sek Keong Attorney General's Chambers 1 Coleman Street #10 00 Singapore 179803 Fax: 0015 65 6332 5984 Salutation: Dear Attorney General

Copies to

His Excellency Mr Joseph K H KOH High Commissioner for Singapore High Commission of the Republic of Singapore 17 Forster Crescent Yarralumla ACT 2600 Fax: (02) 6273 9823 Salutation: Your Excellency

----- POST: Dr U Ne Oo, 18 Shannon Place,Adelaide SA5000,AUSTRALIA