Fed: Aircraft problems ground Kosovars

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2000
Fed: Aircraft problems ground Kosovars

Almost 170 Kosovar refugees ordered to return home are due to leave Australia today
-- after technical problems delayed their charter flight yesterday.

Immigration officials broke the news to a group of about 130 of the refugees at Bandiana
Army Base in north-east Victoria just as they were about to board buses for Melbourne's
Tullamarine airport.

The refugees are now due to leave the base early this morning to board a charter flight
leaving Tullamarine mid-afternoon.

Other refugees from South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales will join the same flight.

Meanwhile, 13 of those originally due to fly home today have had last-minute extensions
based on new information given to the immigration minister.

Seven have been given medical extensions until the end of the month and two families
are being allowed to apply for special protection visas.

A further 65 Kosovars also ordered to leave are awaiting the outcome of a High Court
appeal against the government's decision to send them home.

AAP RTV nl/sub/rp

KEYWORD: KOSOVO AUST DELAY (MELBOURNE)

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