'Corby's sentence won't affect RI-Australia ties'

Ivy Susanti, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The Indonesian government is playing down the tension arising from Australian Schapelle Corby's conviction for drug smuggling in Denpasar, Bali, saying that the verdict will not upset bilateral relations. Foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said on Friday that the government viewed Corby's case as a purely legal issue, and would not affect the "mature" diplomatic or political relations between the two neighbors. Indonesia's opinion was in contrast with those of Australians'. Australian leaders warned their citizens on Friday that retaliation against Indonesians over Corby's conviction would not be tolerated, as experts have predicted the case will test the recently improved ties between Canberra and Jakarta. "I can see there is deep concern among Australians concerning this case, but at the same time we can see that Indonesia and Australia have developed mature relations, which will not be easily affected by this matter," Marty said. "It could happen the other way around. For example, we could express concern about the fate of Indonesian fishermen facing justice in Australia without injuring our relations with Australia. In short, (Corby's case) will not affect the bilateral relations," he said on Friday. He also said it was unlikely that Corby would be given special treatment -- as requested by Australia -- on the basis of fair justice. The Australian government has proposed an agreement on the transfer of prisoners that would allow Corby to serve her sentence in her homeland, but Marty said the ministry had yet to receive a formal proposal.