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Indonesian ambassador says no to asylum seekers

The Indonesian Ambassador to Australia says his country will not accept more than 400 asylum seekers on board a Norwegian ship, off the Australian territory of Christmas Island.

As Louise Yaxley reports, Australia still insists the group rescued by the Norwegian cargo ship on Sunday, be taken to Indonesia, after Australia turned the ship away.

The Indonesian Ambassador Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat, says Indonesia disagrees with Australia. "IT IS NOT FOR INDONESIA WHO HAS TO RECEIVE THEM IN ITS TERRITORY." He says the people don't want to go to Indonesia and shouldn't be forced to. He says his Government doesn't want the issue to jeopardise the relationship between the two countries. "OF COURSE THIS VERY MUCH DEPENDS ON HOW THE TWO COUNTRIES TREAT THIS ISSUE IN WHAT CONTEXT IF IT IS INTENDED TO BE THE CASE TO DETERIORATE THE RELATIONS OF COURSE WE ARE TO OUR REGRET BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT THE INTENTION." Talks will continue between Australia, Indonesia and Norway about the fate of the people. The Prime Minister argues the Tampa should take the people to Indonesia, because it had the closest port to the area where they were picked up.

28/08/01 22:11:10 | ABC Radio Australia News

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