DATE=4/22/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248440
TITLE=AUSTRALIA-EAST TIMOR REFUGEES (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: AUSTRALIA SAYS IT HAS NO PLANS TO CHANGE ITS POLICY ON
REFUGEES FROM EAST TIMOR. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GARY THOMAS
REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU IN BANGKOK, AN OFFICIAL
SAYS THERE ARE NO ACTIVE PREPARATIONS TO DEAL WITH ANY NEW INFLUX
OF TIMORESE, EVEN WITH THE HEIGHTENED VIOLENCE IN THE FORMER
PORTUGUESE COLONY.
TEXT: AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION MINISTER PHILIP RUDDOCK SAYS THE
GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER JOHN HOWARD IS STICKING TO ITS
IMMIGRATION POLICY ON THE EAST TIMORESE. SPEAKING TO REPORTERS
AT A CONFERENCE IN BANGKOK ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION THURSDAY, MR.
RUDDOCK SAID THE RESIDENTS OF EAST TIMOR WHO WISH TO LEAVE, HAVE
OPTIONS OPEN TO THEM OTHER THAN SIMPLY HEADING TO AUSTRALIA.
// RUDDOCK ACT //
THE REFUGEE CONVENTION MAKES IT CLEAR THAT WITH THE LIMITED
NUMBER OF PLACES THAT YOU HAVE FOR REFUGEES -- AND AUSTRALIA HAS
A PROGRAM WHICH ACCOMMODATES ABOUT 12-THOUSAND PEOPLE EACH YEAR
-- THAT THE WAY IN WHICH YOU RESPOND REQUIRES THAT YOU HAVE
REGARD TO WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE HAVE AVAILABLE TO THEM OTHER
FORMS OF PROTECTION.
// END ACT //
THE RISING LEVEL OF VIOLENCE IN EAST TIMOR HAS HEIGHTENED FEARS
THAT THOUSANDS MORE TIMORESE MAY FLEE. TIMORESE ACTIVISTS ACCUSE
THE INDONESIAN ARMY OF ARMING PRO-JAKARTA MILITIAS TO DERAIL
PLANS FOR A VOTE ON AUTONOMY.
BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GET INTO AUSTRALIA.
BECAUSE EAST TIMOR IS A FORMER PORTUGUESE COLONY, AUSTRALIA
REGARDS THE TIMORESE AS CITIZENS OF PORTUGAL AND SAYS THAT IF
THEY ARE TO SEEK REFUGE ANYWHERE, IT SHOULD BE THERE.
MR. RUDDOCK SAYS THERE HAS BEEN NO PERCEPTIBLE INCREASE IN
TIMORESE SEEKING REFUGE IN AUSTRALIA. HE ADDS THAT THERE ARE NO
PLANS TO ACTIVELY PREPARE FOR ANY NEW FLOOD OF REFUGEES LEADING
UP TO INDONESIAN ELECTIONS IN EARLY JUNE.
// RUDDOCK ACT //
IT'S MORE IMPORTANT, I THINK TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT MIGHT LEAD
TO AN OUTFLOW OF PEOPLE. OBVIOUSLY, YOU HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS,
BUT CONTINGENCY PLANS, I THINK, YOU DON'T REALLY TALK ABOUT.
// END ACT //
MR. RUDDOCK IS ALSO SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS
DURING THE CONFERENCE ON THE SMUGGLING OF CHINESE ILLEGAL
IMMIGRANTS TO AUSTRALIA. (SIGNED)
NEB /GPT / FC
22-Apr-99 3:42 AM EDT (0742 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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