Posted on 12/19/2005 8:49:17 PM PST by Fair Go
GOVERNMENTS around the world have declared Sydney's southern beaches no-go zones.
England, Canada and Indonesia have warned their citizens to stay clear of Cronulla.
Their travel alerts are similar to those normally reserved for international flash points such as Belfast and the West Bank.
Both the UK and Canada have warned that random outbreaks of violence, riots and demonstrations could take place in Sydney at any time following the outbreaks that began in Cronulla nine days ago.
Indonesia, which has long been critical of Australian travel alerts for Bali, warns its citizens should remain indoors unless completely necessary.
"Riots and acts of violence by local youth began on Sunday, December 11, 2005, in the Sydney suburb of Cronulla," a note from the Canadian Foreign Office said.
"You should be careful if you have to travel through the affected areas.
"Canadians should monitor local news and should be especially vigilant and avoid situations where violence and demonstrations may occur."
The British Foreign Affairs Department writes: "Since 11 December 2005, there have been sporadic outbreaks of racially motivated violence in Cronulla, Maroubra, Brighton-le-Sands and other areas of southwest Sydney.
"You should monitor the situation, and exercise caution if visiting these areas – particularly on the local beaches or at night."
Indonesian officials have refused to issue public warnings to its citizens, citing the effect Australian warnings had on Indonesia.
But the Indonesian consulate in Canberra has issued a warning, telling Indonesians to "increase their guard" and to "be on alert".
Indonesian authorities warn their citizens in Australia not to make any public statements about the riots and to avoid stepping outside their home, office or campus unless completely necessary.
Prime Minister John Howard has attempted to play down the effect that Sydney's riots might have on Australia's reputation.
Several popular beaches were declared safe again yesterday.
NSW Premier Morris Iemma said the threat had passed after he had warned people to stay away from some Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong beaches at the weekend.
Up to 2000 extra police prevented trouble last the weekend.
"The intelligence and the security assessments are such that people are encouraged to return to normal business," Mr Iemma said.
Isn't it odd that in all three places you mentioned (Australia, Canada, London) you don't have the right to defend yourself with firearms?
You know, I was warned by my uncle and his wife living in Whitby of never, ever, park a car in Toronto's Chinatown with everyone away from the car.
I don't think even the Cross is that bad - I remember walking there at night time years ago and you won't need to worry of being robbed.
Interesting point. Some years ago a young delinquent (he was 16) broke into a house at night armed with a tree branch to bash someone. However, he broke into the wrong house and the owner of the house, who was alone, happened to have a loaded .243. In the darkness he took aim and shot the intruder dead. He was never charged but the mother of the dead youth was adamant that he should have been. The law is that you can use no more force than is necessary to protect yourself.
Give me Australia anyday. I have heard that Toronto has more shooting deaths in a year than the whole of Australia has in a year.
absolutely.
The press has been soo biased in their reporting of these incidents.
ahhh, the fruits of forced multicultrism and open borders immigration policies.
Especially the Canadian press.
Read a certain Canadian newspaper and you would never know that any Muslim Lebanese were involved. Nor was it reported that Aborigines were involved. You would think it was all an unprovoked attack by white Anglo Saxon Australians. It is a case of don't tell it as it was and let Canadians soak up the myth that they are some how superior to all other earthlings. Seems like this happened before back in the twentieth century.
What a load of rubbish. Canadians get their news from the same sources everybody else does. (AP/CNN, etc.)
All an editor has to do is leave a word out here and there to put a whole new slant on things. SOME CANADIAN NEWSPAPERS ARE VERY GOOD AT THAT.
You nailed it. I'm staying at Bondi Beach. Lots of cops over the weekend but back to normal today. The real flash point was Cronulla, which is the beach on the rail line taken over by the Muslims. But, of course, it is the "white supremists" that are being blamed, even on Fox News here from the U.S. No matter that the Muslims started the whole problem by beating up a couple of Aussie lifeguards.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.