Fed: Ruddock says boat not our problem

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2001
Fed: Ruddock says boat not our problem

CANBERRA, Aug 28 AAP - The 438 illegal immigrants aboard a Norwegian freighter off
Christmas Island were not Australia's problem, Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said
today.

Indonesia, Australia and Norway have all refused to take the illegal immigrants, who
are threatening to jump overboard from the Norwegian freighter Tampa if they are taken
to Indonesia.

Prime Minister John Howard yesterday announced Australia would not accept the group,
saying they were the responsibility of Indonesia and Norway.

Mr Ruddock said the boat people were in their current situation only because their
craft had been sinking and they were rescued by the Norwegian freighter Tampa.

He said the closest port for them to be put ashore was in Indonesia and the ship had
only attempted to dock at Christmas Island under duress.

The vessel is now moored off the island.

"It is certainly not our problem," Mr Ruddock told the Nine Network.

"This situation is one which arose because a vessel foundered in international waters
in the area in which Indonesian has responsibility for search and rescue.

"Australian officials were tasked by Indonesian officials to seek assistance for those
people on the particular vessel.

"It was clear that at the point where this happened the closest available port to which
these people could be taken was Merak in Indonesia and permission was available for them
to be taken there.

"It was of course under duress that this vessel has been taken to Christmas Island
where there are not the facilities.

"It is not a port. It is a small island with 1,500 people and very limited facilities."

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KEYWORD: BOAT RUDDOCK

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