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How Singleton's generous welcome for Kosovar refugees is wearing thin

The Daily Telegraph, Australia

17 jun 99

TWO weeks ago the Singleton community welcomed the first of 800 Kosovar refugees to their Hunter Valley town with open arms. Yesterday that welcome was wearing thin as shopkeepers told of isolated incidents of shop lifting, refusal to pay for goods and the 'rudeness' of the refugees.

Shopkeepers and residents believe "enough is enough" - declaring that if the refugees are not happy in Singleton they should go home.

The simmering discontent emerged as a stand-off continued between camp authorities and three refugees barricaded in a bus outside the Safe Haven. The three - a couple in their forties and the woman's elderly mother - claim the refugee accommodation is substandard.

"The Singleton community was so excited about them coming here and they all worked hard to make their stay as comfortable as possible," said Kaye Cartwidht, who runs Town Square Tobacconist with her husband Barry.

"Now, it seems, their attitude is negative. They seem to think they can have everything for nothing."

Albanian interpreter Erik Lloga blamed the tensions on cultural differences and a lack of communication.

"I urge people to appreciate the suffering and cruelty these people have been through. Their dignity is all they have left," he said.

Ms Cartwidht said there were many instances of refugees trying to take goods without paying.

"I had one gentleman come in today and demand that I give him two packets of cigarettes even though he only had enough money for one," she said.

"I tried to reason with him and explain that he just didn't have enough money but I was happy to give him one packet. He got very angry and abusive and left."

Mrs Cartwidht said the entire town was talking about how ungrateful the refugees appeared over their accommodation at the army camp, about 10km south of Singleton.

"It is good enough for our troops so I think it is disgusting they are complaining about it," she said.

Police are aware there have been instances of shoplifting, but none of the Singleton-based Kosovar refugees have been charged with any offence.

"There have been two or three instances where Kosovars have been stopped in the process of attempting to shoplift property," a police source said.

"They have been stopped by security staff as they leave the store and the property has been returned. We haven't even been called to the stores - it's just been explained to them that it is wrong.

"I don't think it's a matter of them not understanding. They are as cunning as rats.

"It has mainly occurred at the large Woolworths supermarket."

A Woolworths shop assistant claimed one elderly Kosovar had grabbed a cigar and attempted to walk out. When confronted, he replied: "We are Kosovar. We don't have to pay." He then made an offensive gesture and left. The officer said the Kosovars have no immunity from prosecution and eventually police will have to charge them if the offences continue.

"I don't think the shopkeepers will wear it forever," the officer said.

The manager of Woolworths declined to comment yesterday. The refugees can go into the Singleton township as often as they like, with four regular bus trips a day provided by Blue Ribbon coaches from the Safe Haven Centre. The trips are free. There are also reports of refugees using their free telephone cards to ring taxis for a ride into town. They don't pay for the $15 trip, telling the drivers: "I am Kosovar, is free".

Once in town the popular shopping items are cigarettes, soft drinks, ice creams and chocolate. But, even the flavour of the chocolate has been criticised as "not as good as European".

Groups of refugees are pooling their $20 a week and going to local banks to exchange the cash for German marks or American dollars for when they return home.

A volunteer at the Safe Haven claimed some refugees were "greedy" and tried to take more clothes than they needed. One man attempted to walk away with five pairs of shoes for himself.

Singleton has a population of 20,000 with a Lions club, two Rotary clubs and an Apex club. All have raised thousands of dollars and purchased goods for the refugees.

The local branch of the Quilters Guild made 800 handmade quilts which were donated.

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