NSW: 180 Kosovars return to war torn homeland

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2000
NSW: 180 Kosovars return to war torn homeland

The Federal Government is considering last minute visa applications which could allow
some of the Kosovo Albanian refugees expected to return home this afternoon, to remain.

A spokesman for the Federal Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK says Mr RUDCOCK will
review cases based on new information passed on to his office.

But the spokesman says the United Nations High Commission for Refugees has advised
it's safe for the refugees to return home, so in most cases it will be appropriate.

He says most of the refugees would leave their safe havens in New South Wales, South
Australia, Victoria and Tasmania at midday to make their way to Melbourne for the charter
flight back this evening.

But a spokesman for the displaced Kosovars, ERIC LLOGA, says at least 20 of the 180
refugees due to fly out are from East Kosovo.

He says they could not go back to their homes located in Serbia for fear of persecution.

About 180 Kosovar refugees will leave Australia today, while 81 of their fellow countrymen
have won a weekend reprieve from repatriation.

A spokesman for Federal Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK says the refugees will
leave on a chartered plane from Melbourne to Bulgaria early tonight.







Meanwhile, 81 of their fellow countrymen, women and children will not join them for
the trip home after being granted an 11th hour reprieve yesterday by the High Court in
Sydney.

Chief Justice MURRAY GLEESON says he'll take the weekend to consider the matter and
return with a decision on Monday at 2.15pm.

AAP RTV as

KEYWORD: KOSOVO AUST (SYDNEY)

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