From the Archives, 2001: Three nations cast refugees adrift

First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on August 28, 2001

Three nations cast refugees adrift

A freighter that rescued more than 400 boat people was stranded off Christmas Island last night with no country prepared to take them.

“The Tampa’s human cargo, photographed by the crew.” From the Sydney Morning Herald, August 29, 2001. Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

Australia, Indonesia and Norway all said the boat was not their problem and shifted the burden onto each other, leaving the Norwegian freighter, Tampa, and the asylum seekers floating in diplomatic limbo just outside Australian waters.

The Prime Minister ordered the Tampa back to Indonesian waters, saying: “It is our view that, as a matter of international law, this matter is something that must be resolved between the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Norway.”

But Norway said it was a problem for Australia and Indonesia, and an Indonesian Navy spokesman, First Admiral Franky Kayhatu, told Reuters: “We can’t let the boat enter our waters. If they do we will have to evict them in accordance with procedures.”

The drama began on Sunday when Australian rescue authorities alerted the Tampa to a sinking wooden boat, 140 kilometres north-west of Christmas Island but in Indonesia’s sea rescue zone.

‘Three nations cast refugees adrift’ From The Sydney Morning Herald on August 28, 2001.Credit: SMH Archives

When the Tampa‘s Captain Arne Rinnan reached them in large swell about 6pm on Sunday he tried to take the group back to Indonesia. But he said they threatened suicide by jumping overboard if he did not head for Christmas Island. Australian authorities had told him it was his decision where to take them.

However, Mr Howard refused them entry into Australian waters because the boat carrying 438 people including Indonesian crew was rescued in the Indonesian sea rescue zone. Nevertheless, it was much closer to Australia’s territory of Christmas Island than to the Indonesian port of Merak, to which it was directed by the Federal Government, said the general manager of Australian Search and Rescue, Ms Rowena Barrell.

The Tampa‘s shipping line, Wilhelmsen, said last night that people on board had urgent health problems, including one who was unconscious. The news agency AFP reported late last night that the asylum seekers had gone on a hunger strike.

The ship was carrying 26 women and 43 children. They are from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“The Tampa is 12 nautical miles from Christmas Island and awaiting Australian Government permission to go to the island,” it said. “The company is in discussions to try to resolve the issue quickly.”

Mr Howard said Australia was involved in “exchanges” with Indonesia and Norway last night in an effort to resolve the stand-off, but would not give details. Australia would offer Indonesia financial help to take the group.

The Federal Opposition Leader, Mr Beazley, supported the Government’s action.

But Greens’ Senator Bob Brown said: “It’s harsh, it’s inhuman, and it is going to create a rising resentment with other governments, as well as many people who are more humanitarian within the Australian community.”

The Immigration Minister, Mr Ruddock, said there was no room for the freighter to dock at Christmas Island, and it would have to dock offshore. This would create dangerous conditions for unloading the asylum seekers.

“This is a very difficult and sad situation,” Mr Howard said. “From the very beginning, Australia has sought ... to balance against the undoubted right of this country to decide who comes here ... our humanitarian obligations as a warm-hearted, decent international citizen.”

But he said: “We simply cannot allow a situation to develop where Australia is seen around the world as a country of easy destination ... irrespective of the obligation of others under international law and irrespective of the legal status of the people who would seek to come to Australia.”

A. Sunday 11am: Australian Coastwatch alerts Norwegian freighter Tampa to wooden boat in distress carrying boat people, 139km north-west of Christmans Island.

B. Sunday 6pm: Tampa picks up 438 people from the sinking boat. Heads for Indonesia but they threathen to jump overboard unless it takes them to Christmas Island.

C. Last night: Tampa stranded off Christmas Island while Australia, Indonesia and Norway engage in a diplomatic standoff, all refusing responsibility for the boat people.

“This matter mus be resolved between the Government of Indonesia and the government of Norway.”

JOHN HOWARD

“We can’t let the boat enter our waters. If they do we will have to evict them.”

FIRST ADMIRAL FRANKY KAYHATU, Indonesian Navy.

“According to international law, these people are not the responsibility of the Norwegian Governmment.”

Norwegian Government Spokesman

“We were planning to take them to Indonesia ... [but] they was acting in an aggressive and highly excited manner, you see, and threatening to jump over board.”

ARNE RINNAN, captain of the Norwegian freighter Tampa.