Fed: Pressure on Aust as Norway says no to Tampa immigrants

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2001
Fed: Pressure on Aust as Norway says no to Tampa immigrants

Pressure is growing on Australia to accept 438 asylum seekers, with Indonesia and Norway
washing their hands of the issue.

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says the plight of the immigrants, stranded off Christmas
Island on the Norwegian freighter Tampa, lies in the hands of Norway and Indonesia.

But the Norwegian government says the issue is one for Australia and Indonesia to solve.

Norwegian Foreign Ministry spokesman KARSTEN KLEPSVIK says Norway cannot let the countries
shy away from their responsibilities.

The Tampa rescued the immigrants from their sinking ferry in international waters overnight.

They have told the ship's captain they will jump overboard if he does not sail for
Australian territory.

Mr HOWARD says under international law the ship is obliged to take the passengers to
the nearest feasible disembarkation point, which is the Indonesian port of Merak.

But Indonesia has also washed its hands of the Tampa and its human cargo, saying it
will follow Australia's lead.

AAP RTV sw/jh

KEYWORD: BOAT (CANBERRA)

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