Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Australian Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd tonight said he cannot provide "iron-clad guarantee" that
the attacks on Indian students in his country would not recur
saying it will be irresponsible or dishonest to do so.
Rudd however said he had assured India that Australia
would follow "zero-tolerance" approach towards such incidents
during talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here earlier
in the day.
"As Prime Minister of Australia, I accept responsibility
for the criminal justice system there. But I cannot provide an
iron-clad guarantee that such attacks would not occur in the
future," Rudd told reporters here winding up his three-day
visit to India.
"I cannot say to you that because, we are dealing with
such large numbers -- half a million foreign students -- that
you can rule out possibility of such incidents. I cannot say
that. That will be irresponsible and dishonest," he said.
"They have been criminal attacks targeting Indian students for the little money they earn to support their studies. They will be dealt with by the full force of the Australian law enforcement and criminal justice systems," he stressed.
He also rejected a suggestion that there is growing
racism in Australian society saying that it was a country of
300 languages and over 43 per cent of its residents were
either born overseas or had a parent who was born overseas.
"What I can say is that in terms of overall levels of
criminal violence in Australia be it assault or murder,
comparable in the western standards, is very low. Looking at
what`s right and what`s wrong will clearly help to deal with
the things better in the future," he added.
He, however, added in a realistic vein that although no government can guarantee that no acts of violence will occur, India and Australia should "calmly work together to deal with future challenges".
Rudd lauded around 250,000 people of Indian origin living in Australia for their contribution to Australian society, economy and nation.
Earlier, speaking to India`s business leaders, Rudd underlined the importance of Indian students to the Australian economy and said they were "welcome guests in Australia".
"They are important for the Australian economy and we want them to stay amicably in a cordial manner," said Rudd, during an interaction with business leaders at the Taj Mahal hotel here.
"The Australian government is committed to do all that is physically possible to ensure that all international students in Australia have safe and rewarding experience," he said at a luncheon meeting hosted by industry chambers CII, FICCI and Assocham here.`
IANS inputs
