China defector accuses Australia
fugitive Chinese diplomat has accused Australian officials of
refusing his asylum request within 24 hours and without interviewing
him.
Chen Yonglin also told an Australian newspaper that
officials tipped off his bosses immediately after he requested
political asylum.
Mr Chen said he was defecting as he could no longer support what he said was China's persecution of dissidents.
The Chinese consulate said Mr Chen had made up stories to avoid going home.
Mr Chen, 37, who worked as the Chinese consul for
political affairs in Sydney, has been refused political asylum but he
could be given a protection visa.
Australian authorities have confirmed they had received
an application for a protection visa from the diplomat, but did not
comment on the asylum application they had allegedly rejected.
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said the diplomat's asylum application would not receive special treatment.
The defection attempt has come at a delicate time, as Australia and China are trying to deepen economic and political ties.
'Thousand spies'
Mr Chen is believed to have gone into hiding with his wife and daughter.
The diplomat said he had been responsible for monitoring
Chinese dissident activity in Australia, including that of members of
the spiritual movement, Falun Gong, which is banned in China.
He also said that there were up to 1,000 Chinese spies in Australia.
|
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4612497.stm
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/06/06/australia. china.diplomat/index.html
Kinda interesting. This is defintiely making the Australian government
nervous and sending China's govt. scrambling to fight the accusations.
1,000
spies in Australia...sounds a little suspicious to me. I find that part
hard to believe. I am skepticle of this whole story. Though, I don't
think this man would make this large of an accusation without there
being atleast some truth behind it. I guess we shall see. What do you think?
Edited by Illuminati