'Corby's sentence won't affect RI-Australia ties'<\/p>\n
Ivy Susanti, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government is playing down the tension arising
\nfrom Australian Schapelle Corby's conviction for drug smuggling
\nin Denpasar, Bali, saying that the verdict will not upset
\nbilateral relations.
\n Foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said on Friday that
\nthe government viewed Corby's case as a purely legal issue, and
\nwould not affect the \"mature\" diplomatic or political relations
\nbetween the two neighbors.
\n Indonesia's opinion was in contrast with those of Australians'.
\nAustralian leaders warned their citizens on Friday that
\nretaliation against Indonesians over Corby's conviction would not
\nbe tolerated, as experts have predicted the case will test the
\nrecently improved ties between Canberra and Jakarta.
\n \"I can see there is deep concern among Australians concerning
\nthis case, but at the same time we can see that Indonesia and
\nAustralia have developed mature relations, which will not be
\neasily affected by this matter,\" Marty said.
\n \"It could happen the other way around. For example, we could
\nexpress concern about the fate of Indonesian fishermen facing
\njustice in Australia without injuring our relations with
\nAustralia. In short, (Corby's case) will not affect the bilateral
\nrelations,\" he said on Friday.
\n He also said it was unlikely that Corby would be given special
\ntreatment -- as requested by Australia -- on the basis of fair
\njustice.
\n The Australian government has proposed an agreement on the
\ntransfer of prisoners that would allow Corby to serve her
\nsentence in her homeland, but Marty said the ministry had yet to
\nreceive a formal proposal.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/corbys-sentence-wont-affect-ri-australia-ties-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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