AUSTRALIA READY TO ACCEPT PALESTINIANS

Australia is ready to accept and resettle a significant number of Palestinian refugees. Mr. Philip Ruddock, the Australian Minister for Immigration, made the offer during his current tour of the Middle East. The initiative from Canberra is conditional on Israel and Palestinians reaching a final peace agreement and may only be implemented as a part of the deal. Palestinian activists recently rejected a similar offer from Canada. The Australian media reported a hostile Palestinian reaction to the Australian offer. Some Palestinians sources were quoted as accusing Australia of interfering with other people's affairs.

Henry L. Marconi PRAVDA.RU Sydney, Australia