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Australian politicians in Indonesia for asylum seeker talks

High level talks on people smuggling are set to begin in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, involving ministers from the Australian and Indonesian Governments.

As Mark Bowling reports, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, is due to arrive in Jakarta this morning.

Mr Downer, together with Defence Minister, Peter Reith and Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock, hope to ease diplomatic tensions. After Australia and Indonesia last week refused to accept the more than 400 asylum seekers aboard the Norwegian vessel, Tampa. The ministers will discuss with their Indonesian counterparts and with senior bureaucrats and military officers ways of applying international pressure to stop people smuggling. Indonesia is recognised as a country of transit for Middle Eastern asylum seekers wanting to reach Australia. It's estimated smugglers are ready to move as many as 5,000 people by boat to Australian waters. Mark Bowling, Jakarta.

6/09/01 11:20:20 | ABC Radio Australia News

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