On Apr 10 the weekly Wirtschaftswoche said it interviewed Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew -- one of Asia's most influential politicians -- and that he had urged Washington to take a tough stance against Beijing.

Reuters on Apr 10 carried a report of the interview, quoting the magazine, and an initial rebuttal by the Singapore government. The magazine said it was standing by its story.

In a statement issued on Apr 11, Lee's press secretary insisted again the Wirtschaftswoche report was inaccurate.

"In none of his answers did Mr Lee comment on the spy plane incident, let alone urge the U.S. to take an uncompromising stance towards China," she said.