AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2000
Fed: Govt will not revoke Kalejs passport, Howard
Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says the federal government will not revoke the Australian
citizenship of suspected war criminal KONRAD KALEJS.
It's been revealed mining magnate and Melbourne football club president JOSEPH GUTNICK
wrote to the prime minister in January asking him to revoke Mr KALEJS's citizenship.
But Mr HOWARD's told Melbourne's Radio 3AW he wrote back saying that he could not do
so because he was bound by the rule of Australian law.
Mr HOWARD says he understands the justifiable sensitivity of the Jewish community,
but the ordinary operation of the law should not be interfered with.
He says Australia has worked overtime to put in place an extradition treaty with Latvia
and the proper course of action is for Mr KALEJS to be extradited to stand trial in Latvia
in relation to his wartime activities.
Mr KALEJS, now aged 87, has denied any involvement in killing civilians during World War II.
The Latvian Government is investigating his case, but no charges have been laid.
AAP RTV jlw/sub/dmc
KEYWORD: KALEJS GUTNICK (MELBOURNE)
2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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