Boat People Put Spotlight on Refugee Row

ByABC News
August 28, 2001, 1:58 PM

Aug. 28 -- The fate of hundreds of refugees stuck on a cargo ship stranded in international waters hangs precariously as the governments of Indonesia and Australia are under international pressure to bring an end to an increasingly desperate situation.

The nerve-wracking international standoff began early Sunday, when the Norwegian cargo ship Tampa rescued 438 refugees including 43 children and 26 women, mostly from Afghanistan from a sinking ferry that was making its way from the Indonesian archipelago to Australia's Christmas Island.

Conditions were rapidly deteriorating onboard as the crowded vessel prepared to spend its third night drifting in the Indian Ocean while the governments of Australia, Indonesia and Norway bickered over who should take in the refugees.

Australian authorities have refused to allow the ship to land on Christmas Island although it has organized an operation to provide emergency supplies to the refugees, should the need arise.

Indonesia announced it would accept the refugees early today, but Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayuda later announced the government had reversed its decision, reiterating the problem was solely Australia's.

A spokesman for the Australian embassy in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta told ABCNEWS.com the Australian embassy was in close contact with the Indonesian authorities to find a solution. He declined to provide any details.

Norway has refused to get involved. In an interview on an Oslo radio station today, Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorbjoern Jagland said it was Australia's "duty to let these refugees land at the nearest port."

Conditions Deteriorate Onboard

As the countries debate, nerves onboard the Tampa frayed, and concerns mounted that conditions could become very ugly.

Reached via satellite phone today, Capt. Arne Rinnan told ABCNEWS.com the situation was "horrible what would you expect?"

"The situation is rather difficult," said Hans Bangsmoen, a spokesman for Wilh Wilhelmsen, the Oslo-based owners of the Tampa. "Many of them are sick and the men are on a hunger strike, they are refusing to eat anything or even drink water."