This is an update from Australia where a group of 78 Sri Lankan “refugees” (were they Tamils, this article doesn’t say) are being resettled in Australia, Canada and New Zealand after a long stand-off at sea and a temporary home in Indonesia.
Indonesia reportedly told Australia — we aren’t helping you anymore with your illegal immigrant problems!
We first told you about the story, here, in October.
Below is a portion of the update today:
Jakarta (ANTARA News) – After staying in Riau`s immigration detention center for almost three months, all 78 Sri Lankan immigrants, who had earlier been `rescued` by Australia`s customs vessel Oceanic Viking, have finally left Riau, for third countries, either Australia, Canada or New Zealand.
Escorted by Indonesian foreign ministry and Australian embassy officials, the last batch of the immigrants left Riau on Wednesday (Jan. 20). The 16 immigrants were flown to Jakarta before proceeding to Australia and the Philippines.
“They are the last batch of a total of 78 Sri Lankan immigrants who were accommodated at the Tanjungpinang immigration detention center after they had to get off the Australian vessel Oceanic Viking,” Samsu Rizal, an Indonesian foreign ministry official, said in Tanjungpinang, Riau Province, Wednesday (Jan. 20).
[…..]
The deportation of Sri Lanka refugee in Indonesia to Canada and Australia, he added, was part of the Australian government`s initiative.
He explained the 78 Sri Lankans were allowed to stay on Indonesian territory for some time because Indonesia wanted to help Australia overcome the problem they posed after they were caught trying to reach Australian shores in rickety boats.
“But this will be the last time we are helping Australia deal with its foreign refugee influx problem,” Sujatmiko said adding that Indonesia did not incur any expenditures for the deportation since all the related costs were borne by the United Nations.
[….]
Despite the departure of the 78 refugees, it seems that the foreign immigrant problem is still far from over. [no kidding!]
By the way, I never did hear how the issue of the Tamils landing in Vancouver ended (if it ended).