Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 November 2008
Press Conference
Subject: Bombings in Mumbai
SIMON CREAN: The Australian Government unreservedly condemns this indiscriminate and cowardly terrorist set of acts that are occurring and continue to unfold in Mumbai as we speak. These actions have killed scores and have injured hundreds of people. We, of course, express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and to their families, and we also express our fundamental solidarity with the Indian Government and its people. This is an appalling assault on the people, and the stability and the democracy of India.
Clearly, the acts are continuing. The situation remains unclear. The exact death toll is unknown. We are aware that two Australians have been injured. The department has been in touch with their families, and we are providing consular assistance.
The Australian High Commissioner, John McCarthy, is in Mumbai; I've spoken to him this morning. He was there on business. He's there with a delegation from Monash University. They, in fact, are in North Mumbai, which has not been impacted by these acts. They are concentrated around South Mumbai, and he is seeking clearance to get into South Mumbai.
Our Consul General Peter Forby, Austrade trade commissioner, is in South Mumbai, so we are also getting advice through him.
So far as the travel advice is concerned, it's been reissued today in the light of these events. It advises Australians to avoid travel to Mumbai at this time, and we are also advising Australians in Mumbai to remain in a safe location and follow the advice of local authorities.
We are taking all steps to contact those we know to be in the vicinity. Not everyone registers their presence. But those that have been registered, we are seeking to contact, but that contact has to also have regard to what security advice is given to us, so far as the implications of making that contact is concerned.
So far as families concerned for people that they have - they know to be in Mumbai, the number to ring, the hotline that has been established, the existing hotline, 1300 555 135. We have activated the hotline activity here in Canberra, and we have an inter-departmental committee operating with all the relevant agencies to assess the circumstances and to advise the appropriate action.
QUESTION: How many Australians do we know are staying in the two hotels, the Oberoi and the Taj Mahal?
CREAN: It's not clear the precise numbers, but we ... there obviously are a number of Australians in both hotels.
QUESTION: What do you know about the group that's claimed responsibility, the Deccan Mujahaddin?
CREAN: Don't know a lot about them. I've seen the reports. We're seeking confirmation about that. But the truth is, whoever they are, they are condemned in the strongest possible terms. This is a cowardly act. It's indiscriminate. It's a terrorist act, it's an assault on democracy, and it takes as victims and casualties, innocent people. We condemn it in the most - in the strongest possible terms.
QUESTION: Did you know of any warnings or indications that such a [indistinct]?
CREAN: No, we hadn't had any warnings. As I say, the travel advice that we've reissued today tells people not to go to Mumbai, to avoid it. The overall assessment is the subject of the professional advice that we get. That formally hasn't changed. But the advice in terms of going to Mumbai is don't do it.
And for those that are there, just stay in a safe place and to follow the advice of the local authorities.
QUESTION: Just to confirm that westerners are being targeted?
CREAN: Westerners have certainly - are amongst the victims, as we understand it. As for the target, they seem to be locations by virtue of - I mean, the Taj and the Oberoi hotels, they are the upmarket hotels. The railway station has been targeted, so whether it's westerners or not, it's an outrageous set of acts.
QUESTION: Minister, it's a couple of years away, but the Commonwealth Games are scheduled for Delhi. Being from this distance out, there must be security concerns for that.
CREAN: Well, I think they're - wherever games and events are held, Malcolm, there are always security concerns. That's the nature of the world that we live in at the moment. It's why we have to share information much more readily and it's why we have to constantly be on alert. But this event just demonstrates how quickly and how effectively these people can strike.
QUESTION: What are the circumstances surrounding the injuries to the Australians?
CREAN: The - both of them are not life threatening. One involves a wound for which there has been a loss of blood. The other is as we understand it slighter than that. I don't really want to go into the details. We can't obviously give the personal details of these people until there's the appropriate clearances. But they are as I understand it not life threatening.
QUESTION: Were they subjected to a grenade attack, or [indistinct]…
CREAN: I am not aware of that. Our concern was to ensure that they got the appropriate treatment, and that as I understand it they have received.
QUESTION: Were you aware of what groups are, and they're - I believe there's a trade delegation and a wedding party. Are you aware of exactly…
CREAN: I'm not aware of the wedding party. I am aware of a delegation from the New South Wales Department of Education*, and they as I understand it are in the Oberoi Hotel.
We have advice on different presences, different people who have registered who we're aware, either because they registered on the Smart Traveller website, or because they were seeking assistance through the High Commission or the Consulate.
But as I say we are seeking to activate contact with all of those where we know they are located. So far as the others are concerned, clearly they have access to the consular hotline.
QUESTION: [Indistinct] is the first ideological terrorist attack in south Asia. Do you see terrorism as shifting in south Asia, and if so, is this a message against Iraq and Afghanistan Pakistan?
CREAN: No, I think we really have to try and assess properly the organisation that's claimed credit, understand more what its alleged motives and intentions are. It's clearly not the first time that there have been acts within India. But I think it's the magnitude and the breadth of this that is of concern, and the fact that it's continuing.
But our immediate concern is for the safety of those who are at risk. And clearly, there are a lot of people at risk.
QUESTION: How many Australians are registered as being in India. Do you know of a number…
CREAN: In India there is something like 2100. In Mumbai, 300. But as you would be aware, registration is a nomination, a self-nomination factor. Precisely how many are there, we're not clear. But what I can assure you of is that we are seeking in the safest possible way to make contact with all of those where we know of their presence, and we are seeking to establish the reverse ability to contact those that have not registered but are seeking assistance.
But the clear advice to them is stay put. Stay in a safe location. And await further advice. If we have further - when we have further information we'll keep you informed.
QUESTION: (Indistinct)
CREAN: Thailand - only that the circumstances continue as yesterday, the airport, the Suvarnabhumi International Airport remains closed. But as far as we are aware, all Australians who were impacted by the non-movement of passenger aircraft have made their way out into Bangkok. We continue to monitor that as well.
QUESTION: Case for moving the ASEAN meeting from Thailand?
CREAN: Well obviously that's - I don't think there is. I think the ASEAN meeting is important to go ahead. But the - clearly, the issue of these circumstances require us to require the Thai economy to, well, they require the airport to be open. One suspects that that will happen by the time the meeting takes place. The meeting's not due until 17 December.
ENDS
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