Binky
05-27-2005, 06:24 AM
Updated at 4:19 on May 27, 2005, EST.
Australian beauty therapist Schapelle Corby, right, receives a kiss from her mother after she was found guilty of trying to smuggle 4.1 kg of marijuana into Bali last year in a Denpasar court on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. (AP/Darren Whiteside, POOL) SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Australia's government on Friday offered to send two senior lawyers to help the appeal of an Australian woman convicted of drug smuggling on Indonesia's Bali island and sentenced to 20 years.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also said Canberra will soon launch formal negotiations with Jakarta on a prisoner transfer pact. "We obviously feel sorry for Schapelle Corby and her family at this very difficult time," Downer said. "The government is going to begin discussions formally with the Indonesians in the next 10 days about the prisoner transfer agreement," Downer told reporters.
He also revealed that Canberra has already helped fund Corby's defence, but declined to say by how much. The two lawyers offered their services for free, Downer said. It was not immediately clear if Corby's defence team would accept.
Downer was speaking shortly after a Bali court convicted Corby of importing 4.1 kilograms or marijuana onto the island last year.
The 27-year-old's lawyers claimed the drugs must have been put into her surfboard bag by airport baggage handlers in Australia.
The case against Corby, a student beautician, generated unprecedented interest in Australia and a diplomatic balancing act for Prime Minister John Howard's government, which has a fragile relationship with Jakarta.
Howard clearly wants to be seen as doing all he can to help Corby, but also needs to show respect for neighbouring Indonesia's legal system.
"Guilty or innocent, I feel for this young woman," Howard said in his first reaction. "I ask that we all pause and understand the situation, and recognize and respect that when we visit other countries we are subject to the laws and rules of those countries."
At downtown Sydney's Occidental Hotel, lunchtime drinkers crowded around a large screen television to watch the judges handing down the 20-year sentence.
"I think it's disgusting," said Abbie Francis, a native of England who has lived in Sydney for three years. "I think she is innocent. I think there is far too much doubt to have ever convicted her."
But bartender Grant Moxley was less sympathetic.
"I think if she goes to that country and knows the consequences (of drug smuggling), it's her fault," he said. "If you go to their country, you play by their rules."
The case has sparked anger against Indonesians in Australia. Downer said staff at Indonesia's embassy in Canberra have received phone threats, as have Jakarta's consulate staff in the western city of Perth.
"That is very, very wrong, and to do that sort of thing is entirely counterproductive," Downer said.
A recent television poll showed 92 per cent of Australians believe Corby is innocent.
Former right-wing political firebrand Pauline Hanson called for a boycott of the island, which draws thousands of Australian holidaymakers each year.
"I'd say to Australians, 'Don't go near the place, keep away from it, boycott it,"' Hanson said. "They should not go to Indonesia at all because they leave themselves open. It may be them who are in Schapelle Corby's shoes next time around."
Online forums Friday buzzed with messages of support for Corby.
On the site www.schapellecorby.com, one supporter wrote: "Schapelle you have been dealt one of the greatest injustices in the history of the civilized world. We, her supporters, friends and family will forever fight to clear her name and free Schapelle from prison!!"
The Canadian Press, 2005
Fri May 27 01:47:12 2005 PDT
Webpage: http://www3.cjad.com/content/cp_article.as...
Australian beauty therapist Schapelle Corby, right, receives a kiss from her mother after she was found guilty of trying to smuggle 4.1 kg of marijuana into Bali last year in a Denpasar court on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. (AP/Darren Whiteside, POOL) SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Australia's government on Friday offered to send two senior lawyers to help the appeal of an Australian woman convicted of drug smuggling on Indonesia's Bali island and sentenced to 20 years.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also said Canberra will soon launch formal negotiations with Jakarta on a prisoner transfer pact. "We obviously feel sorry for Schapelle Corby and her family at this very difficult time," Downer said. "The government is going to begin discussions formally with the Indonesians in the next 10 days about the prisoner transfer agreement," Downer told reporters.
He also revealed that Canberra has already helped fund Corby's defence, but declined to say by how much. The two lawyers offered their services for free, Downer said. It was not immediately clear if Corby's defence team would accept.
Downer was speaking shortly after a Bali court convicted Corby of importing 4.1 kilograms or marijuana onto the island last year.
The 27-year-old's lawyers claimed the drugs must have been put into her surfboard bag by airport baggage handlers in Australia.
The case against Corby, a student beautician, generated unprecedented interest in Australia and a diplomatic balancing act for Prime Minister John Howard's government, which has a fragile relationship with Jakarta.
Howard clearly wants to be seen as doing all he can to help Corby, but also needs to show respect for neighbouring Indonesia's legal system.
"Guilty or innocent, I feel for this young woman," Howard said in his first reaction. "I ask that we all pause and understand the situation, and recognize and respect that when we visit other countries we are subject to the laws and rules of those countries."
At downtown Sydney's Occidental Hotel, lunchtime drinkers crowded around a large screen television to watch the judges handing down the 20-year sentence.
"I think it's disgusting," said Abbie Francis, a native of England who has lived in Sydney for three years. "I think she is innocent. I think there is far too much doubt to have ever convicted her."
But bartender Grant Moxley was less sympathetic.
"I think if she goes to that country and knows the consequences (of drug smuggling), it's her fault," he said. "If you go to their country, you play by their rules."
The case has sparked anger against Indonesians in Australia. Downer said staff at Indonesia's embassy in Canberra have received phone threats, as have Jakarta's consulate staff in the western city of Perth.
"That is very, very wrong, and to do that sort of thing is entirely counterproductive," Downer said.
A recent television poll showed 92 per cent of Australians believe Corby is innocent.
Former right-wing political firebrand Pauline Hanson called for a boycott of the island, which draws thousands of Australian holidaymakers each year.
"I'd say to Australians, 'Don't go near the place, keep away from it, boycott it,"' Hanson said. "They should not go to Indonesia at all because they leave themselves open. It may be them who are in Schapelle Corby's shoes next time around."
Online forums Friday buzzed with messages of support for Corby.
On the site www.schapellecorby.com, one supporter wrote: "Schapelle you have been dealt one of the greatest injustices in the history of the civilized world. We, her supporters, friends and family will forever fight to clear her name and free Schapelle from prison!!"
The Canadian Press, 2005
Fri May 27 01:47:12 2005 PDT
Webpage: http://www3.cjad.com/content/cp_article.as...