11.   However, the government said its policies will soon be a success once people smugglers realize that it is no longer easy to secretly enter Australian waters.

12.   Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock hinted Monday that terrorists may join asylum seekers on the perilous ocean crossing from Indonesia in decrepit wooden boats operated by people smugglers.

13.   Last August in the run-up to an election that Howard won convincingly, the government also launched a tough new policy of turning away boats operated by people smugglers.

14.   Lubbers, a former Dutch prime minister, said he understood concerns about people smugglers but urged Canberra to follow international agreements rather than striking out on its own.

15.   Mahendra said authorities had not decided what charges would be filed against the man, Abu Quassey, who has been identified by survivors as a people smuggler.

16.   Mahendra said authorities have not decided what charges would be filed against the man, Abu Quassey, who has been identified by survivors as a people smuggler.

17.   Mostly from the Middle East, and increasingly from Afghanistan, they arrive via Indonesia in small, usually rickety wooden fishing boats hired by people smugglers.

18.   One refugee who declined to give his name warned other asylum seekers off handing over cash to people smugglers.

19.   Prime Minister John Howard recently adopted a hardline stance against people smugglers, turning away boats headed for Australia and refusing to allow refugees to disembark.

20.   Prime Minister John Howard refused to allow the refugees into Australian waters in a hardline crackdown he said was meant to deter people smugglers.