Jakarta to hold meet on migrants

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, OCT. 24. Stung by the deaths of over 350 refugees, Indonesia today announced that it would convene a regional meeting to discuss the growing movement of what are called ``irregular migrants''.

``We will take the initiative to hold a meeting with some ASEAN members....as well as (the refugees') prospective country, Australia, and hopefully their countries of origin,'' said the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. Hasan Wirayuda, in Jakarta.

Indonesia, which has so far kept Australia at a distance on the refugee issue, feared that refugees would begin moving in larger numbers following the U.S. military strikes in Afghanistan.

``With the military action on Afghanistan, we have to anticipate that the wave of refugees will get bigger,'' he maintained.

Expressing concern at the death of the Australia-bound refugees, Mr. Wirayuda stated: ``Who is to blame for this incident is difficult to say because this was an accident. But this accident reminds us of the need for a handling of illegal immigrants by the concerned nations.'' Separately, a UNHCR representative said about 30 of those who were on the ill-fated boat that capsized on Friday may have already been designated as refugees.

Mr. Raymond Hall, a UNHCR representative, was quoted as saying: ``Governments are not lining up to offer resettlement places. Australia will take none of the recognised refugees (from Indonesia). Other countries say....we are prepared to take some but why should we take the leading role.''

``It's difficult for the refugees to understand the limitations of the United Nations. So, they can be very distrustful,'' said Mr. Hall in Jakarta.

According to him, the recent terrorist attacks in the United States had made refugees coming from West Asia more pessimistic about their prospects.

``Some refugees tell us the attacks are going to make Western Governments likely to be less enthusiastic to take refugees from our region,'' said Mr. Hall.

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Section  : International
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