LD AUSTRALIA 2 LST

Crean said in the most recent cases, he does not
believe race was an issue.
29-year-old Jaspreet Singh was set on fire by a group
of four assailants here last week in the latest attack on
Indians in Australia.
"It's not only the Victorian police saying that there
is no evidence in either case that the attacks, the murder and
then the subsequent attack were racially based," the acting
Foreign Minister said.
"I think it's also important in terms of the most
recent incident, that a relative of Mr Singh, the victim of
the recent attack, also doesn't believe it was racially
based," Crean said.
He has also welcomed a move by the Indian government
to urge media restraint over the latest attack.
The Indian Ministry of External affairs has urged
journalists to show the utmost restraint in covering the
story.
Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Ravi also underlined
the need for the Australian government to step up security for
Indians in a bid to convince them about their safety.
"Australia needs to take all possible steps to ensure
security of our citizens. They need to convince not only the
government but also the people of the country about steps
taken to ensure safety of our citizens," Ravi told PTI in New
Delhi.
Meanwhile, Australia's acting Foreign Minister said he
is happy with the Indian government's call for calm.
"I think that demonstrates the strength of the
effort that's been put in to date," he said. PTI