Cable Briefs

Press, 21 February 1980, Page 6

Cable Briefs

Adelaide bushfire A huge bushfire was burning out of control late yesterday in the Adelaide hills, about 15km from the city centre. The police said three houses had been burned down or severely damaged by fire and people in the area were being evacuated. It was not known whether anybody had been injured.—Adelaide.

Refugee plan Refugees from Indq-China may embark on new lives at the site of Jonestown, Guyana, where 913 followers of the People’s Temple cult died in November, 1978, an official of a private relief agency has said. The Jonestown site had housing, electricity, cleared land, a sawmill and other economic advantages. Dorothy Calhoun of World Relief said. She said any refugee offered the chance to settle in Guyana would be briefed fully on the history of Jonestown and what happened there. —Washington. Fleet build-up

About 300 Soviet Marines are on board two amphibious craft in the 31-vessel Soviet fleet in the Gulf region, the Pentagon has said. The Marines were said to have with them heavy equipment, including tanks. The Pentagon said it was the first time for several years that the Soviet naval presence in the Indian Ocean was of such a strength. United States defence officials say Soviet Navy strength in the Indian Ocean area has now reached a record 31 ships with the arrival of five more.—Washington.

Kennedy trouble A nephew of Senator Edward Kennedy, Christopher Lawford, aged 24, will not be prosecuted on drug charges if he stays out of trouble for one year, a judge has ruled. A Kennedy spokesman said Lawford was vacationing at the time of his arrest and had been working on his uncle’s presidential campaign. Lawford, son of the actor. Peter Lawford, and Pat Kennedy Lawford, Mr Kennedy’s sister, was arrested by the Aspen, Colorado, police on December 26 on charges of obtaining a narcotic prescription drug by fraud.—Aspen.