FED: Indonesian president tells Rudd he'll help stem flow of boatpeople

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2009
FED: Indonesian president tells Rudd he'll help stem flow of boatpeople

In a telephone chat with KEVIN RUDD .. Indonesian President SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO's
vowed to work closer with Australia to stem the flow of asylum seekers arriving in Austalian
waters.

The leaders have agreed the recent influx is due to conflicts in Afghanistan .. Pakistan
and Sri Lanka .. and the global financial crisis.

A spokesperson for the PM says President YUDHOYONO's told Mr RUDD that given the current
situation .. he's ready to bring the already good cooperation between Australian and Indonesian
authorities even closer.

An explosion on board a boat carrying asylum seekers believed to be from Afghanistan
on Thursday has killed five people and injured dozens more.

It's the sixth boat intercepted by authorities in Australian waters this year.

AAP RTV jcd/tm

KEYWORD: BOAT RUDD (CANBERRA)

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