FED: CARE worker s family concerned over spy charges

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-1999
FED: CARE worker s family concerned over spy charges

CANBERRA, April 14 AAP - The family of CARE Australia aid worker Steve Pratt said tonight
they were appalled at Yugoslav claims that he was a spy, and now had serious concerns for his
immediate fate.

In a statement released through CARE, the Pratt family said they were relieved their son
was alive and well.

But they rejected outright his confession to being a spy and said all members of his family
knew he was only interested in humanitarian work.

"Although we expected legal procedures as a consequence of their detention, we are appalled
at the nature of the Yugoslavian government's allegations surrounding them," the statement
said.

"In view of the lack of consular access to date we are very sceptical about the likelihood
of Yugoslav authorities fulfilling their obligations under international convention for the
treatment of Steve and Peter (Wallace).

"We have serious concerns about Steve and Peter's immediate fate under Yugoslavia's legal
process."

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer tonight revealed he had appealed to UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan to intervene in Yugoslavia to have the men freed.

Former prime minister Malcolm Fraser is also seeking permission to travel to Belgrade to
lobby for their release.

AAP ss/ao/de

KEYWORD: KOSOVO CARE PRATT

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.