Fed: Labor senators spike Democrats push for Kalejs evidence

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2000
Fed: Labor senators spike Democrats push for Kalejs evidence

By Rob Taylor

CANBERRA, Feb 1 AAP - Alleged nazi death squad member Konrad Kalejs today escaped a
public grilling when the Australian Democrats failed to have him give evidence to a Senate
inquiry into anti-genocide laws.

Democrats Senator Brian Greig had asked to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee
to have Mr Kalejs subpoenaed when the Committee held its first meeting for the year today
in Alice Springs.

But Labor Senators Jim McKiernan, Joe Ludwig and Barney Cooney resisted the call, putting
off a decision until the committee meets again in Perth on Thursday.

Senator Greig, the Democrats law and justice spokesman, said he was disappointed by
the ALP's decision.

"Calling for Kalejs to appear before the committee is a fair and reasonable request,
given that the committee is considering all aspects of anti-genocide legislation," he
said in a statement.

"If Labor refuses to meet its responsibility and deal with this matter through the
committee process, I intend to move a formal motion in the Senate when we return to Canberra
next week."

Australia is due to send federal police representatives to a meeting in Latvia later
this month to pool international evidence against Mr Kalejs, leading to his possible extradition
to face trial.

The 86-year-old claims to have a letter from Prime Minister John Howard acknowledging
the lack of evidence behind claims he was a member of a death squad responsible for the
slaughter of 30,000 people during WWII.

The prime minister has denied the letter exists.

Senator Greig said an appearance by Mr Kalejs before the committee would allow the
now-Australian citizen to table the letter under the protection of parliamentary privilege.

There could also be a case for the committee to call evidence from government security
agencies, including ASIO, about its knowledge of suspected Nazi war criminals in Australia,
he said.

"There is evidence to suggest that ASIO was utilising people who had a history of anti-communist
activity, and in some cases that involved apparent nazis," Senator Greig told ABC Radio.

"If that's the case, then I think both ASIO and the federal government have a lot to answer for."

The Anti-Genocide Bill, introduced in October, would make genocide illegal under Australian law.

Submissions to the Anti Genocide Inquiry close on February 10.

The Democrats believe extradition of Mr Kalejs to Latvia, a move supported last week
by Justice Minister Amanda Vanstone, would amount to exporting Australia's responsibilities
overseas.

Senator Greig said the senate committee should subpoena Mr Kalejs, despite the fact
that any evidence he gave would be inadmissible in any subsequent court case.

"There is a strong moral point and I think i what we're trying to get to the bottom
of here is the truth," he said.

"To my mind, to my way of thinking, contrary to some others, I don't think that any
allegations of war criminal history in a citizen should be let go."

AAP rft/hu/br

KEYWORD: KALEJS NIGHTLEAD

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