Pubdate: Sat, 28 May 2005
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2005 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: National Post news services
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/schapelle+corby

AUSTRALIANS REACT ANGRILY TO DRUG SENTENCE

Believed Innocent By Many, Traveller Jailed 20 Years By Indonesia For
Smuggling Pot: PM Vows To Help Appeal

SYDNEY - Australia's leaders appealed for calm yesterday and warned
that retaliation against Indonesians would not be tolerated after an
Indonesian court sentenced an Australian woman to 20 years in jail for
drug smuggling.

The case of Schapelle Corby had become a national obsession in
Australia, and public reaction showed the country's anger over the
conviction of a woman most believe to be innocent. The 27-year-old
beauty therapist was convicted of smuggling 4.1 kilograms of marijuana
into the resort island of Bali last October on a flight from Brisbane.

Australian television networks broadcast the court's judgment live,
focusing on the weeping face of Corby, who insisted the marijuana had
been planted in her luggage when she went to Indonesia on a surfing
trip.

Talkback radio lines were clogged with callers vowing to boycott
Indonesian products and the popular holiday resorts in Bali.

"If I could get the money I gave to the tsunami appeal back, I would,"
said a caller who identified himself as John, from the Sydney suburb
of Maroubra.

Another caller, Daryl, said Australians should cut off aid to
Indonesia, Australia's closest regional neighbour.

"We are just a great white stupid sponge that spends billions of
dollars in aid so that we will like them and they will think we are
wonderful people," he said.

Green party senator Bob Brown organized a protest outside the
Indonesian embassy in Canberra, and police heightened security around
Indonesian diplomatic missions in Australia.

The controversy threatened to harm political ties with Jakarta, which
the government of Prime Minister John Howard has been trying to cultivate.

Alexander Downer, the Foreign Minister, said a backlash would be
counterproductive and warned against retaliation.

"Indonesian staff should not be threatened, Indonesian government
officials should not be abused or threatened," he told reporters.

"There is a long way to go in this case and overreactions of one kind
or another [are] not going to help at all."

Mr. Howard, who has been accused of not doing enough to help Corby,
called on Australians to respect the verdict, while offering legal
assistance for her appeal.

"She was subject to the justice system of another country.... We have
neither the power nor the right to intervene," Mr. Howard told reporters.

"The fact that we are a nation whose young travel so much makes it an
issue that has touched this country very directly. But it remains the
case that after hearing the evidence the court has found her guilty."

Mr. Downer said the Australian government would offer Corby's defence
team the use of two senior lawyers who specialize in Asian law to
assist in her appeal.

It will consider requests for cash to pay for the appeal.

Also, Australian officials will meet their Indonesian counterparts on
June 6 to negotiate a prisoner transfer agreement that would allow
Corby to serve her sentence in her homeland.

Analysts said Corby's case touched a raw nerve for many Australians,
who remain ambivalent about ties with Indonesia. While Canberra seeks
to strengthen regional ties and ordinary Australians treat Bali as
their tropical playground, they remain wary of the country's
corruption and violent politics, and fear they, too, could find
themselves imprisoned in a squalid cell.

Throughout the trial Corby supporters, led by her friends and
colourful family, have gathered outside the court in Bali's capital,
Denpasar, to protest her innocence -- sometimes clashing with
Indonesian anti-drug campaigners.

Corby's mother, Rosleigh Rose, shouted out "Liar!" as the verdict was
announced, and had to be restrained in the front row of the courtroom
gallery.

She later launched a tirade against the judges, telling Australia's
Channel Nine that she would fight to secure her daughter's release.

"My daughter is coming home. Today is over, but it's not the bloody
finish," she said.

Corby was allowed to hug her father and mother after the verdict,
smiling weakly and repeatedly reassuring them: "It's okay, it's okay."

Opinions in Indonesia have been equally forthright. Many wanted to see
Corby convicted to help fight a growing drug problem and deliver a
snub to what is perceived as Australian attempts to meddle in its
neighbour's affairs.
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