Quote:
Originally posted by Memnoch:
John Howard is playing a very dangerous game, taking the hard line that he is. His reasons for taking the stance he is taking are understandable from a political perspective, because realpolitik have always been about national interests, and it's in Australia's national interest to not set a precedent here. From a humanitarian point of view it's very callous and inhumane to be haggling over the fates of 468 fellow human beings as if they were pieces of meat. Australia should bite the bullet, take them in to be processed as they can't just be cast adrift in the open sea, Indonesia (which was their last port of call!) and Australia (and perhaps NZ) should divvy them up, then Australia should step up patrols to prevent more incidents like this. 
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This article appeared in today's edition of The Times
Fortress Australia
It certainly doesn't paint a pretty picture of conditions in the detention centres. The Immigation minister, Philip Ruddock, let the cat out of the bag when asked about the atrocious conditions 'The message gets back'.
I also found his other comment revealing. He said Australia would do all it could to assist displaced Zimbabwean farmers to start newer, safer lives. No mention of processing applications or detention centres. Then again they're white.
One other interesting stat. 3.6 million Afghanis have fled the Taleban. 2.5 million have gone to Pakistan, 1 million to Iran and only 100,000 to the industrialised countries.
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[This message has been edited by Donut (edited 08-31-2001).]