Fed: Govt tight lipped on reported new boatpeople influx

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2000
Fed: Govt tight lipped on reported new boatpeople influx

Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK says groups of potential illegal immigrants are
banking up in Indonesia because Australia has made people-smuggling more difficult.

But he says he can't confirm newspaper reports more than 1,000 immigrants are on their
way to northern Australia and expect to land over the weekend.

Mr RUDDOCK says reports out of Indonesia indicate groups of frustrated immigrants are
consolidating together and might approach the 1,000 mark.

But he says he has no no information indicating a boat big enough to carry 700 people
has left Indonesia, although the Australian government is working with Jakarta authorities
to prevent any planned departures.

More than 2,500 boat people have arrived in Australia since November, stretching the
resources of immigration officials.

Australian Coastwatch officials refuse to comment on the reported arrivals, but Melbourne's
Age newspaper says surveillance of the vessels is being kept secret to protect intelligence
sources in Indonesia.

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has also declined to confirm the report, but says the government
is on top of the situation.

AAP RTV kmh/smf/as

KEYWORD: BOAT (CANBERRA)

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