Singapore bars 28 activists (World Bank, IMF meetings)

[Eugene]

Singapore bars 28 activists

By Gillian Wong, Associated Press Writer | September 11, 2006

SINGAPORE --Singapore police said Monday they would disallow 28 activists
to enter the city state for the upcoming International Monetary Fund and
World Bank meetings even though they have been approved by the two
institutions to attend.

The activists are members of eight civil society groups from the region
and elsewhere, and have been previously involved in "disruptive activities,"
senior police officials said at a press conference.

Police did not identify the blacklisted individuals but Chief of Staff Soh
Wai Wah said that one of the activists had previously broken into the World
Bank's headquarters in Washington D.C. and stolen confidential documents
while another demonstrator was involved in the takeover of a consulate
in San Francisco.

-snip-

The IMF and World Bank on Friday urged Singapore to reverse its decision
to blacklist accredited individuals and allow the activists to attend next
week's meetings in the interest of transparency and accountability.
But Singapore said it had the right to determine whether a foreigner is
eligible for entry into its territory, and that the city-state had to be
cautious not to compromise the security of the high-profile event.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2006/09/11/singapore_bars_28_activists