Another shipload of Tamil would-be “asylum-seekers” is being forced to stay at sea off Australia as politicians haggle. The ultimate question, are there people with terror ties on board? From World News Australia:
A group of 78 asylum seekers rescued by the Australian Navy face another three days at sea after Indonesian authorities turned them away from their destination.
[…..]
Outspoken MP Wilson Tuckey provoked the ire of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Thursday by suggesting that terrorists could be hiding among groups of asylum seekers trying to reach Australia.
Mr Rudd called on Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull to withdraw his support for the veteran Liberal, in the wake of his “disgusting” comments.
But Mr Turnbull refused, and on Friday Mr Tuckey accused the Prime Minister of being “a bully” for trying to get him dumped from parliament.
Adding to the confusion, it has emerged that one of 76 migrants arrested on a rusted ship off Canada last week is wanted in Sri Lanka on terror charges – apparently adding weight to Mr Tuckey’s claim.
The 26-year-old man, whose identity was withheld due to a court-ordered publication ban, is being sought by Sri Lankan authorities who issued an Interpol notice for an unspecified terror offence.
For background, see my previous post, here, on the Tamil “refugee” ship in Vancouver.