Fed: Recent Afghan asylum seekers began journey under Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2009
Fed: Recent Afghan asylum seekers began journey under Howard

The leader of the 68 Afghan migrants allegedly planning to sail to Australia says many
of the group began their journey from Afghanistan to Australia while JOHN HOWARD was in
power.

The revelation comes amid claims the latest arrivals have been encouraged by the Rudd
government's policy changes.

Spokesman NUR ABDUL HASSAN HUSSAINI has told the ABC's Lateline program the asylum
seekers say they love Australia and want to come here.

He says all of them are refugees from Afghanistan .. and have travelled from different
countries by boat and car for a chance to enter Australia.

The group is asking to be transferred from the care of Indonesian immigration authorities
into the care of the International Organisation for Migration.

AAP str/tnf/cdh/ao/fdf

KEYWORD: BOAT AFGHAN (SYDNEY)

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