Pubdate: Wed, 01 Jun 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

CORBY PARDON TALK UNHELPFUL: PM

The Prime Minister, John Howard, has refused to say whether he will ask for 
a presidential pardon for Schapelle Corby once her appeal process has been 
completed.

Last Friday, a Denpasar court found the 27-year-old Gold Coast woman guilty 
of trying to smuggle more than four kilograms of marijuana and sentenced 
her to 20 years in jail.

In 2002, Mr Howard appealed for clemency for an Australian serving life 
imprisonment in the Maldives after he was found carrying cannabis oil.

That appeal was granted, but Mr Howard says it is too early to compare that 
case to Corby's situation.

"It is not helpful to Schapelle's appeal processes for me to be canvassing 
conduct by me that would - if it occurred - be posited upon an acceptance 
of guilt," Mr Howard told the ABC's Lateline program.

"That is not fair to her.

"She is asserting her innocence. She has an appeal ahead of her.

"It is not helpful if I foreshadow action which only takes place if you 
accept guilt.

"I want to do the right thing by her, consistent with my responsibilities, 
and consistent with the merits of the issue.

"Whatever is appropriate for me or the Government to do to assist, we will, 
but I don't want to talk or act in a way which may undercut, at this point, 
a position and a belief that she is asserting. That would be most unfair."
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MAP posted-by: Beth