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

'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.