Fed: Australia to send delegates to Latvia over Kalejs

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2000
Fed: Australia to send delegates to Latvia over Kalejs

The federal government says it will increase cooperation with the Latvian government's
investigations into alleged war criminal KONRAD KALEJS.

Justice Minister AMANDA VANSTONE says Australia will send a delegation of three officials
to a meeting in the Latvian capital, Riga.

The meeting has been cale by the Latvian Prosecutor General's office to discuss the Kalejs case.

Senator Vanstone said officials from the US, Canada, Israel and the UK would also attend
the meeting.

"Australia has alrady shared with Latvian officials information in relation to the
Kalejs case," she said.

"This is an important example of international collaboration on law enforcement issues.

"Australia is ready to offer any further assistance that might be required in the future."

The 86-year-old Latvian born Australian has faced allegations that he was a member
of a Latvian unit of Nazi collaborators responsible for the deaths of 30,000 Jews and
others.

He fled Britain last month ahead of reports he was to be deported.

He was previously deported from the US and Canada.

Senator Vanstone said the meeting demonstrated that all avenues for obtaining potential
evidence in the Kalejs case were being explored.

"As I have said previously, war crimes cases remain open and the Australian Federal
Police will examine any new information which becomes available," she said.

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KEYWORD: KALEJS VANSTONE (CANBERRA)

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