Aussie government in race row

SYDNEY, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Australian Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews has caused a political storm by cutting the number of Africans being admitted as refugees.

Andrews released the summary of a report Thursday he said showed refugees from Africa had difficulty in settling in Australia.

Andrews told reporters the report revealed concerns about race-based gangs, an increase in crime among African youth and reports of young African men in drinking sprees in parks at night.

Australia has reduced its humanitarian refugee intake by 40 percent over the past four years -- most of them from African countries, particularly Sudan.

Andrews stated earlier that some refugee groups "don't seem to be settling into the Australian life as quickly as we would hope."

His statement followed the beating and killing of an 18-year-old Sudanese youth in Melbourne last week.

Opposition groups accused the government of "playing the race card" prior to the general election to be held before the end of the year.

They accused Andrews of changing the previous government line defending the cut in Africans being admitted to Australia because of increased numbers from Burma and Iraq.