2 Oct 2002

Australia's high commissioner to Vanuatu denies spying allegations

7:30 pm on 2 October 2002

Meanwhile...

The high commissioner, Steve Waters, says there is no truth in the allegations.

He says there's only three police in the country and they are there with the full knowledge of the government.

Mr Waters says the three police officers are not engaged in any activity which is interfering in the workings of the government and they are not spying on government officials and ministers as has been alleged.

"Australia does have Australian police officers here - they work in co-operation with the Government of Vanuatu in addressing a number of aspects of international crime, particularly people smuggling, drug smuggling, money laundering etc, and also in giving advice to the executive of the police force under our defence co-operation programme"