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Agreement to cash incentives to get Afghan refugees to return home

Indonesia will join Australia in giving cash incentives to Afghan boat people so they'll go back to Afghanistan.

Graeme Dobell reports that the agreement was reached at the people smuggling conference which has concluded in Bali.

"The Foreign Ministers of Indonesia and Australia announced agreement with Afghanistan's Justice Minister on the voluntary return of Afghan asylum seekers. To make the returns policy attractive, Indonesia and Australia will offer cash incentives, and help with resettlement and rehabilitation. Alexander Downer says Afghanistan has agreed to accept the immediate return from now on of Afghans, not defined as refugees, who arrive illegally in Indonesia or Australia. "They are willing to take people back who wish to go back. They hope to take others back in the fullness of time."

01/03/2002 02:31:16 | ABC Radio Australia News

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