Australian Help for Refugees Down Under

Re “G’Way, Mate,” editorial, Sept. 7: Australia is one of only nine countries in the world operating a dedicated offshore humanitarian resettlement program. We take in 12,000 people a year, which on a per capita basis is second only to Canada. We are proud of our record.

Your claim that a Norwegian freighter “made for the nearest port . . . Christmas Island” (an Australian territory) is wrong. The ship originally proceeded toward the Indonesian port of Merak--the nearest port at the time--with its prospective unauthorized arrivals, after responding to a distress call to aid a fishing vessel in Indonesian waters. The ship’s master headed for Christmas Island in response to a form of duress from some of the 438 people he had rescued, following threats to jump overboard.

You claim the Australian prime minister “dispatch[ed] food and elite troops to board the ship,” but you say nothing about the medical team sent with them to assess directly the need for any medical evacuation of the asylum seekers to Australia. The Australian government was concerned at all times to address the humanitarian needs of those persons rescued from the Indonesian vessel while protecting the integrity of Australia’s immigration laws. The government provided those on board with medical attention, food, water, shade, sanitary items and other personal needs.

Michael Thawley

Australian Ambassador

Washington