Australia Holds Firm on Refugees

The Australians stood their ground today, saying they would force a cargo ship overflowing with asylum seekers out of their territorial waters, as concern grew over the health of the unwanted boat people.

Australian special forces in control of the Tampa stood guard on deck to stop the asylum seekers from jumping overboard if the ship leaves Australian waters around Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.

As the asylum ship crisis entered its fifth day, aid and humanitarian agencies sought access to the Norwegian freighter, concerned about the crowded, unhygienic conditions on board. The Sydney Morning Herald said unconfirmed reports put the total at 460 on board.

The migrants, mostly Afghans and many of them women and children, have been at sea for more than a week after leaving Indonesia in a rickety wooden ferry in a desperate bid to reach Australia.

They were rescued by the Tampa from the sinking ferry on Sunday, and threatened to jump overboard if not taken to Christmas Island.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard stood by his view that it was not Australia’s responsibility to accept the boat people. Australia argues Indonesia should take them as they were picked up in international waters in Indonesia’s search-and-rescue area of responsibility.