Fed: Australian citizenship for Nauruans no solution: PM Harris

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2003
Fed: Australian citizenship for Nauruans no solution: PM Harris

Nauru's President RENE HARRIS says resettling its 10,000 citizens in Australia won't
solve the island's problems.

There's been speculation that resettlement is one option being considered to help the
impoverished Pacific nation.

Nauru is bankrupt and dependent on the income from immigration detention facilitates
set up as part of Australia's so-called Pacific Solution to deter asylum seekers arriving
in Australia by boat.

However, Mr HARRIS says resettling the island's citizens would undermine their national
identity and culture.

He says the GORTON government made a similar proposal to resettle Nauruans in the late
1960s and it was rejected.

Mr HARRIS says he's been speaking to Foreign Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER on a daily basis
about the issue.

He says Mr DOWNER has played down the resettlement proposal, so it's not an option.

AAP RTV svm/dk/gjr/rp

KEYWORD: NAURU AUST HARRIS (MELBOURNE)

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