Belarus President Threatens Europe With Flood Of Illegal Immigrants
President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, who has thus far not been approved for a visa to attend the NATO summit in Prague next week, is threatening to flood Europe with illegal immigrants if he is refused entry. Diplomats from NATO, an organization Lukashenko once called a “terrible monster,” have said he would not be welcome at the summit, and the Czech Republic has declined to grant him a visa.
“We will react immediately and in the most severe fashion,” Lukashenko said.
Regarded as Europe’s last dictator, Lukashenko is reviled in both Russia and the West. International observers have claimed his re-election in 2001 was fraudulent.
Pakistan: Afghan Refugees Defraud U.N. Repatriation Assistance Program
According to the findings of an investigation last week, thousands of Afghan refugees have defrauded the United Nations of millions of dollars in repatriation allowances. Officials claim almost a third of the refugees who left a station in Peshawar have traveled to Afghanistan after receiving their allotted money and provisions, only to double back into Pakistan seeking more benefits.
Some refugees have crossed the border as many as 10 times since repatriation began in March, and others have hired women and children to act as family members, thus increasing the benefits they received. Now the UNHCR has introduced eye-recognition technology to catch the so-called “recyclers.”
For some, the long distance traveled on foot is well worth the reward of around $80 after expenses, roughly equal to a month’s wages.
In Australia, 500 Afghans will begin leaving Nauru, after accepting the Government’s cash offer of $2,000 for each individual and up to $10,000 for a family.
France: Police Storm Calais Church, Evict 100 Asylum Seekers
Just after 5 a.m. on Thursday, French riot police stormed a church in Calais, ending a five-day occupation by up to 100 asylum seekers. The raid caught most inside asleep. The refugees living there had been threatening to set themselves on fire unless they were given permission to enter the Sangatte refugee camp.
Despite Sangatte having closed its doors to new arrivals last week as part of a crackdown on people smugglers operating there, refugees continued to head for the camp, regarding it as a first step to a new life in Britain.
The police action was a success for France’s conservative government, which had been treading a fine line between trying to send a firm message and not risking bloodshed.
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