PM appeals for tolerance amid Australia day riot fear

Australia’s prime minister urged racial tolerance and unity today as police prepared for a possible repeat of the violent race riots that rocked Sydney’s southern beaches.

Prime minister John Howard encouraged people to celebrate the country’s diversity and “national unity” on the eve of Australia Day – a public holiday marking the 217th anniversary of the first British colonists’ arrival.

“Australians, whatever their background, deserve to be treated with tolerance and with respect,” Howard said a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra. “Racial intolerance is incompatible with the kind of society we are and want to be.”

Howard’s comments came as members of the nationalist Australia First Party were preparing to hold a peaceful protest tomorrow at North Cronulla beach, where 5,000 mainly-male Caucasian youths launched a drink-fuelled rampage on December 11 against people of Middle Eastern appearance.

The riots were in retaliation for the beating a week earlier of two volunteer lifeguards by a gang of men witnesses identified as being Lebanese.

Youths of Middle Eastern appearance then went on two nights of retaliatory attacks, attacking white Australians, smashing store windows and vandalising cars.

Howard condemned the violence and said any future attacks would not be tolerated.

“The criminal behaviour of last December should be met with the full force of the law,” Howard said.

“Our response should reflect this nation’s unswerving commitment to racial equality, coupled with an absolute determination to ensure that all sections of the Australian community are fully integrated into the mainstream of our national life.”

Earlier this week, New South Wales state Premier Morris Iemma said up to 800 police would be ready to deal with any racial violence on tomorrow’s holiday.

It was not immediately clear how many police usually patrol the area.

New South Wales state police said they planned to issue a release about police reinforcements later today.