AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2000
NT: Secretary General says sorry to NT on mandatory sentencing
UN Secretary General KOFI ANNAN has arrived in Darwin on his first visit to Australia,
ducking the controversial issue of mandatory sentencing laws.
As political leaders warn Mr ANNAN off commenting on the laws, which are believed to
contravene international human rights agreements, the Secretary General has stuck to thanking
Australia for its contribution to the East Timorese rescue effort.
Mr ANNAN's avoided any public row on the issue of mandatory sentencing by cancelling
a scheduled press conference with the national media.
Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD earlier declared Australia had a magnificent human rights record.
Mr ANNAN told a gathering of 700 people at Parliament House that the Darwin community
had responded to the East Timorese disaster with the same spirit as after Cyclone Tracy
hit the city 25 years ago.
He says Darwin became an important centre for the UN after East Timor descended into
violence last September following a vote for independence.
The NT government was closely involved with the evacation of about 2,000 refugees and
has advised on infrastructure in East Timor.
AAP rTV cm/smf/rp
KEYWORD: ANNAN (DARWIN)
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