Amnesty to observe Anwar's trial

Amnesty to observe Anwar's trial

KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): A representative of human rights
group Amnesty International said on Sunday he would seek proof of
"judicial independence" at the trial of former deputy premier
Anwar Ibrahim.

Mark Daly, a Canadian lawyer based in Hong Kong, arrived here
on Saturday to observe Anwar's two-week trial on four corruption
charges starting on Monday and briefly met with Anwar's wife
Azizah upon his arrival.

"I am here to ensure that a fair procedure of justice is
carried through, that fair trial procedures are observed in
accordance with international standards," Daly told AFP.

He said he look for "factors of judicial independence, watch
out for any political influences" and see whether Anwar is
allowed "full access to lawyers at all times of the procedure."

Daly said he would be at the court house before 6:00 a.m. on
Monday (5 a.m. Jakarta time) to "try and get a seat" for the
trial.

Anwar's sacking as deputy prime minister and finance minister,
and his alleged beating in detention, have sparked global
interest in the case and triggered criticism of Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad.

Amnesty has supported Anwar's contention that the 10 charges
of corruption and sexual misconduct against him were "politically
motivated." If convicted of the charges, Anwar faces up to 20
years in prison.

But Daly said on Sunday he had no preconceptions about the
case and that he was a "skeptic at heart" and had not drawn any
conclusions.

"I will talk to as many people as possible," he added.
Daly said he would stay until the weekend, and two Amnesty
researchers from London -- Tim Parritt and Bob Kellock -- would
attend the remainder of Anwar's trial.

He added that he would also gather information about other
issues, such as freedom of expression in Malaysia, during his
stay here.

Reports from Canberra said that Prime Minister John Howard was
expected to meet privately with Mahathir at the APEC meeting this
month, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Sunday.

United States President Bill Clinton will not pay Mahathir a
customary courtesy visit because of the arrest and trial of the
Malaysia's former deputy leader, according to administration
sources.

But Downer said Australia's government did not want the
controversy to harm the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting
of 21 nations.

Downer said Howard, along with many regional and other
leaders, had expressed concern about Anwar's treatment, and he
expected the issue to come up during talks between Howard and
Mahathir.