Fed: New immigration laws not a concession to Indonesia - Howard =2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2006
Fed: New immigration laws not a concession to Indonesia - Howard =2

Indonesia has temporarily recalled its ambassador, its companies are threatening to
boycott Australian goods, and a host of prominent Australians have been named on a blacklist
of Papuan separatist supporters.

"I want Australia and Indonesia to be very close," Mr Howard said.

"There will continue to be debate about human rights issues in Papua.

"We're trying to balance these things and balance them very carefully."

Mr Howard said the new laws were "designed to regularise our policy in this area".

"Claims for refugee status will continue to be assessed according to our international
obligations," the prime minister said.

"We're going to increase our capacity to patrol our northern waters to collect any
unauthorised arrivals."

AAP ag/smb/lma/jlw

KEYWORD: PAPUA HOWARD 2 SYDNEY (REOPENS)

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