Fed: PM should close down Manus immediately: Greens
CANBERRA, Aug 13 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard should use his visit to Papua NewGuinea to close down the immigration detention centre on Manus Island, Australian GreensSenator Bob Brown said today.
Mr Howard will arrive in Port Moresby today for talks with his new PNG counterpartMichael Somare.
Before leaving to attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji, he will also visit thefamed Kokoda Trail, where Australian troops staged a last ditch defence against the Japanesein World War II.
But Senator Brown said Mr Howard should use his meeting with Sir Michael to ensurePNG's paramilitary mobile squads were kept out of Manus, where 700 asylum seekers arebeing processed on Australia's behalf.
"The mobile squads are infamous in PNG," he said.
"These paramilitary outfits are fitted out in black with semi-automatic weapons andhave been involved in burning down entire villages."
Senator Brown said the squads, used to help battle lawlessness in PNG, were also responsiblefor killing four students at Port Moresby University last year.
He said the security situation on Manus was deteriorating and the use of mobile squadswould only inflame tensions.
"The detention centre should be closed and the 700 asylum seekers brought to Australiaimmediately," Senator Brown said.
Mr Howard is expected to discuss the Manus issue with Sir Michael and consider theOctober 21 deadline for closing the facility.
The prime minister has previously said new detention facilities in Australia and aslowing of illegal arrivals should end the need for the so-called Pacific Solution.
AAP rft/sw/jnb/sb
KEYWORD: BOAT GREENS
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