Pubdate: Wed, 20 Apr 2005
Source: Courier-Mail, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.thecouriermail.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/98

NO SYMPATHY FOR NINE - DOWNER

FOREIGN Alexander Downer said today he would have no sympathy for the
nine Australians arrested in Bali if they were found guilty of drug
trafficking.

Families of four of the arrested Australians accused of heroin
smuggling were to arrive in Bali today, Mr Downer said.

Mr Downer described the allegations against the nine Australians as
"extremely serious".

"When people travel to other parts of the world, they should not only
read the (Australian Government) travel advisories but they should
also make absolutely sure that they understand that the Australian
Government can't send in the SAS and bail you out if you get into
trouble," Mr Downer said.

"Some people think that they can traffic drugs and not get caught and
make a lot of money very easily at the expense of the consumers of
those drugs whose lives will be ruined, and in some cases their lives
will be lost, by those drugs.

"I have no sympathy at all for people who get involved in drug
trafficking. It is completely wrong to do it.

"In this case, there are nine people who have been arrested -- it is
alleged they have been involved in drug trafficking, and they have the
right to the presumption of innocence.

"But there is no excuse for people thinking they can somehow get away
with drug trafficking. They cannot.

"They can rest assured that our police and the police of the region
and Interpol, we are all working day and night to stop drug
trafficking.

"We are looking all the time for people who think they can get away
with drug trafficking."
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MAP posted-by: Derek