East Timor refugees

Wed Sep 29 1999

Alliance foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Robson MP says the Alliance supports the government taking 300 East Timorese refugees but thinks we can do better.

'The population will remember the speed and generosity of the government's acceptance of 600 refugees from Kosovo.

'Surely the government doesn't see the crisis in our own region as any less urgent and extensive?' New Zealand is in a position to give immediate shelter to more than 300 East Timorese and can call upon the many non government organisations that would be willing to help. '

I have already had a number of calls from members of the public, as I did over Kosovo, offering to provide accomodation and support for refugees from East Timor', Matt Robson said.

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