Singapore allows 22 CSO delegates to attend IMF, WB meet

Singapore, Sep 15 (UNI) The Singapore government today said it was allowing 22 of the 27 civil society organisation representatives (CSO) to enter Singapore to attend the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) meetings.

''Based on input provided by the IMF and the World Bank this morning, the S2006 organising committee has reviewed the list of 27 CSO representatives whose entry was subject to interview by Singapore. The committee has decided to allow the entry of 22 of the 27 CSO representatives,'' a government statement said.

The Committee has also informed the IMF/WB that if the remaining five CSO representatives attempts to enter Singapore, they will be subject to interview and may not be allowed in.

Meanwhile, about 30 people from various CSOs demonstrated at Suntec City, the IMF/WB meeting venue, today.

The campaigners, under the umbrella of an organisation called Global Call To Action Against Poverty, wore surgical masks carrying the words ''No Voice'' and T-shirts with a message against poverty.

The organisation is regarded as the world's largest anti-poverty movement which mobilised 35 million people last year to take action to end poverty.

The protest, held at a designated area within the Suntec City complex, was to show how poor countries do not have a say in the workings of World Bank and IMF, an official for the protestors said.

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