Sydney - Russia may scotch plans to build the first fully commercial landbased satellite launch facility on Christmas Island because the Australian government plans to build a detention centre for asylum-seekers, it was reported yesterday.

The $400 million project would have created 2,000 jobs for the island's flagging economy but sources close to the spaceport project said yesterday the Russians feared the detention centre would jeopardise security and safety.

They were also worried about Australia's insistence that customs officials have the right to examine all incoming material, with sources saying this could contaminate equipment. - AFP Tuesday April 16th 2002

Writing as one who has had his equipment contaminated and been humiliated and degraded while entering Perth airport Australia as a tourist, the experience is familiar!