Bali 9 : No clemency plea from PM

PRIME Minister John Howard said he did not use talks today with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to seek clemency for six Australians on death row in Bali.

Six members of the Bali Nine drug ring are fighting to escape the death sentences they received over a failed attempt to smuggle heroin into Australia in April 2005.

Mr Howard said the case came up "naturally" during his talks in Bali today with Mr Yudhoyono, as part of a broader discussion about a possible prisoner exchange treaty between the two countries.

"It's quite inappropriate to be raising issues of clemency at this time, quite inappropriate and I have not raised them because those matters are still before the courts," Mr Howard said. "I have complete respect for the court processes here in Indonesia. (I mentioned to the president) that there was a sensitivity and interest in the case (but) the overwhelming majority of Australians understood and strongly supported the anti-drug laws of Indonesia."

"I think young Australians ... who pretend that they don't know the consequences of trafficking in drugs in Indonesia, or in other parts of Asia, are deluding themselves.

"My warning to Australians is don't mess with the laws of other countries - you can't expect that Australian law will follow you around the world."

Source : News.com.au

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