Main stories in ABC Radio s AM program, Friday Feb 19th

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-1999
Main stories in ABC Radio s AM program, Friday Feb 19th

CANBERRA, Feb 19 AAP - The main stories in today's 0800 (AEDT) edition of the ABC's AM
program:

* Victorian farmer Joe Racker says that during a raid on illegal immigrants working on his
property officials tied them up with rope around the ankles, waist and wrists. He says he was
shocked to see such unnecessary force.

* The federal opposition has announced it will campaign for a higher immigration intake.
Opposition immigration spokesman Con Sciacca says the time is right to debate an immigration
program that will make the country economically viable, rich in resources and populous. He
says there has to be an emphasis on skilled and economic migration. Interview with Mr Sciacca.

* While Qantas and Ansett celebrate excellent profits results, Qantas chief James Strong
warns it will cut some domestic services if the air industry is deregulated. Mr Strong says no
other country in the world allows foreign carriers to work within the domestic system and this
could undermine the existing viable industry. Interview with Mr Strong.

* Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer says the government is not about to gut the airlines'
operations by opening the skies to foreign carriers, but that the issue will be given deep
consideration by the cabinet. He says they will strive to find a way forward that does not
unfairly jeopardise either the airlines or rural populations who want more competitive
airfares.

* Former NSW Olympics Minister Bruce Baird has told federal parliament there was an
agreement with former Australian News Ltd chief Ken Cowley, the Sydney Morning Herald's John
Alexander and Nine Network owner Mr Packer to not report on the fawning and spending during
Sydney's 1993 Olympic bid. The media identities have emphatically denied the claim.

* Three Greek government ministers have been forced to resign over Turkey's capture of
Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan in Kenya, while Kurdish protesters have ended their
occupation of the Greek embassy in London.

* A human rights lawyer representing Abdullah Ocalan says his counsel believe he will be
severely mistreated and tortured. She says Mr Ocalan will not get a fair trial before the
state security court as it is not an independent court and he has so far been denied legal
representation.

* The Pentium 3 computer chip to be released this month is to include a personal
identification number which will be able to identify who one is doing business with. An
American Civil Liberties Union spokesman says this is yet another tool by which our movements
on the Internet can be tracked and citizens can be identified.

* In Western Australia prison officers are threatening lockdowns if the Ministry of Justice
goes ahead with a plan to squeeze more prisoners into crowded jails. The Prison Officers Union
says this would place pressure on the ability to provide recreation for prisoners, issue
medication and supervise visits, and would create a volatile environment.

* Wallabies rugby union physician Dr John Best says surgery on captain John Eales' shoulder
has been successful. He says if Eales' shoulder responds well to rehabilitation he will be
available for the Rugby World Cup in October.

AAP et/sc/wjf

KEYWORD: AM SUMMARY

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