Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Monday that he is appalled at the fire bombings of three Chinese restaurants in Perth, capital of Western Australia, on Sunday. 

"Any suggestion of attacks with a racial bias appalls Australians," he told reporters in Perth.

The attacks on three south suburban Chinese restaurants in Yangebup, Willeton and Spearwood early Sunday caused damage estimated at 55,000 Australian dollars (US$41,000), with swastikas painted at the scenes.

"The Chinese people of this city are a very welcome part of the Perth and of the Western Australian community," a transcript of his interview read.

"They've made a wonderful contribution to the modern Western Australia and to the modern Perth and any suggestion that this is in some way racially-based adds a further dimension to what is obviously a crime."

He said he won't make further comment as police investigation is going on.

Western Australia's police on Sunday first identified the culprits as a group of people before saying a person with mental disorder is responsible. No arrest has been made.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2004)