netipr

14-APR-2004

POSSIBLE BOAT SABOTAGE CASES UNDER AFP OPERATION

by U Ne Oo

After Philip Ruddock went to Australian Embassy in Jakarta in June 2001
and instructed the People Smuggling Strike Team to disrupt refugee boats
physically, there had been actual instances of refugee boats running
aground. The sabotage actions taken place had also been confirmed by
Kevin John Ennis, an Australian Federal Police paid informant, who
at that time was reportedly in West Timor. As we know in late August
(28/8//2001), the Australian government deployed ASIS for "disrupting"
boats. I found following cases as possible result of sabotage action
took place during July-August 2001.

These incidents were taken place when the Indonesian and Australian
governments MoU was still in force, which the Australian Federal Police
may have its hand on it. This data is still not comprehensive; if you
have/or found more please send me a report.

case#1. date 22/7/2001. Boat struck at a rock near Flores/Kupong. 40
Iraqis and Iranian on board were taken back to Indonesia.

case#2. date 26/7/2001. Boat foundered after hitting storm near Sumba
island. 139 Afghans got back to Indonesia. One child drowned.

case#3. date 28/7/2001. Boat landing Lempasing island southern tip of
Sumatra. 314 Afghans and Pakistanis. Crew abandoned the vessel.

case#4. date 17/8/2001. Boat foundered near Prison Island after crew
abandoned. 140 Afghans 3 drown to death

case#5. date 26/8/2001. KM Palapa. Engine stalled at sea. 433 passengers
and crew. Rescued by Tampa.

Regards, U Ne Oo.

--
http://netipr.org/~uneoo (Burma HR Activity)
http://www.senet.com.au/~netipr (Refugee Rights Activity)
emails: uneoo@netipr.org,netipr@senet.com.au...ari ot.net.au
Post: Dr U Ne Oo, 18 Shannon Place, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.