john howard letter to bali

Letter going to Bali about baggage handlers
13:42 AEST Sun May 15 2005


A letter outlining allegations concerning Australian baggage handlers involvement in drug smuggling will sent to the Bali court hearing trafficking charges against Schapelle Corby, Prime Minister John Howard has said.

Mr Howard said the federal government had prepared a letter for the court hearing Corby's case outlining claims that airport baggage handlers in Sydney had used luggage to traffic drugs.

"The letter was settled on Friday by the attorney-general," Mr Howard told the Ten Network.

The move has been supported by Opposition Leader Kim Beazley.

Fifteen people were charged last week after 9.9kg of cocaine was shipped through Sydney airport allegedly with the aid of corrupt baggage handlers. One Qantas baggage handler has been stood down.

Corby, 27, who is accused of smuggling 4.1kg of marijuana into Bali on October 8 last year, has begged Mr Howard for justice, saying she is innocent.

However, Mr Howard said he could not interfere with Corby's drugs trial in Bali, despite her pleas for him to help her return home.

"I cannot interfere in a justice system of another country.

"I cannot and would not interfere with the justice system of our own country.

"It's fundamental to our system of democracy that the executive arm of government doesn't interfere with the judiciary," he said.

"I know that if a foreigner were arrested in Australia and charged with an offence and the president or prime minister of another country started telling our courts what to do, Australia would be mightily angry.

"But having said all of that I feel for the girl, I think the whole country has been drawn into this and I can only repeat my fervent hope that the verdict is true and fair and right and just."

Mr Beazley said he supported the government's moves to prepare a letter about the alleged trafficking by some airport baggage handlers.

Mr Beazley said he backed the government's decision not to interfere with the Corby case.

"That's obviously the case, but your heart goes out to Schapelle Corby, it's a dreadful set of circumstances for her to find herself in," he told the Nine Network.

Mr Beazley added that if Corby is found guilty, the government should negotiate with Indonesia, to allow her to serve her time in an Australian prison.

"She's clearly deeply troubled, it's a very worrying time for her, the hearts of all Australians are with her.

"Now if the verdict goes the wrong way, and I sincerely hope she's acquitted, but if it goes in the opposite direction, then absolutely, clearly we have on our hands a situation where the government must complete its agreement with Indonesia, as it has with a number of other countries, for an exchange of prisoners, so you can serve Indonesian time in an Australian jail and vice versa."

The Sunday Herald Sun newspaper said Corby had pleaded with Mr Howard to bring her home to Australia.

"Mr Howard, as a father and as a leader, I plead for your help," the newspaper quoted her as saying.

"I did not do this. I beg for justice.

"I don't know how much longer I can do this. Please bring me home. Please."

The Denpasar District Court will hand down a verdict on May 27.

©AAP 2005