Interview with Foreign Minister Stephen Smith by Tony Eastley on AM, ABC Radio
Topic: Search for mining executives charter plane
Transcript, proof copy E&OE
21 June 2010
TONY EASTLEY: An air search for a missing plane in the African nation of Cameroon has failed to turn up any sign of the aircraft or its nine passengers and two crew. Cameroon sent a Hercules C-130 and two smaller aircraft at the weekend to scour the route taken by the twin turboprop.
Cameroon's Communications Minister said the small plane disappeared on Saturday during a flight over dense jungle from the capital Yaounde. Six of the passengers were Australians Ken Talbot, Geoff Wedlock, Don Lewis, John Carr-Gregg, John Jones and Craig Oliver. All are connected to the Perth based iron ore company, Sundance Resources. Africa is a growing area of opportunity for Australian mining companies.
The Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith joins us this morning on AM. Stephen Smith. Good Morning. What's the latest you've heard on this search?
STEPHEN SMITH: I spoke to our High Commissioner to Nigeria who's on the ground in Cameroon earlier this morning. The search as you've indicated provided no conclusive evidence. It's now night time in West Africa so the search will resume again at first light tomorrow morning, weather permitting.
But we remain very seriously concerned about the welfare of the six Australians. We're working closely with Cameroon authorities, as we are with the company, to make sure that the search effort is maximised.
TONY EASTLEY: Is there any hint as to where this plane may have gone down?
STEPHEN SMITH: We do know that the plane made contact with ground control on two occasions after it departed. One in the first few minutes after departure and then a second contact after 30 minutes, so in terms of a general search area there's a focus on the border region between Cameroon and Congo.
But the advice I have overnight is nothing conclusive from the search effort in the course of yesterday, which included both fixed-wing aircraft and also helicopters. There's a distinct possibility that the search effort will be complemented tomorrow with additional helicopters and possibly additional fixed-wing aircraft.
TONY EASTLEY: Stephen Smith, those two contacts that the plane made, to presumably, to air traffic control. There was no hint then, in those two contacts, of any trouble with the plane itself?
STEPHEN SMITH: No, the advice I have is both of those contacts were standard identification and procedural contacts.
TONY EASTLEY: Are you getting the sort of co-operation you need from other governments, I am thinking here the Gabonese and the Congolese, because the plane as we mentioned was on its way from Cameroon to the Congo?
STEPHEN SMITH: Yes well the company Sundance Resources, it's well known, its personalities are well known, both in Western Australia and in Queensland. There's an iron-ore precinct in that border region between Gabon, Cameroon and the Congo. We're very satisfied with the effort and the cooperation with the Cameroon authorities.
The Gabon authorities are also involved, as is the Congo. But it is very helpful that we've got our High Commissioner on the ground in Cameroon. We're providing a couple of additional officers to assist him and of course during what is a very difficult time for the company, but in particular for the families. We're giving what consular assistance we can to the families and also to the company both in Perth, both from Perth and from Canberra and also obviously on the ground in Cameroon.
TONY EASTLEY: Have the foreign governments indicated how long this search will go on for?
STEPHEN SMITH: There's no indication of that at this stage, but we do know we are dealing with very difficult terrain and potentially difficult conditions. So we just have to take it step but step. As I say we are obviously very seriously concerned for their welfare and we feel very much for the families and also for the company which has its entire board missing. We have to take it step by step.
TONY EASTLEY: Is there any indication or have you been told whether the families will be travelling to the area to help with the search or at least be there?
STEPHEN SMITH: That would be a matter for the family, I wouldn't propose to make comment about that.
TONY EASTLEY: Our Foreign Minister Stephen Smith thank you for joining us this morning on AM.
ENDS
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