Howard writes to convicted drug trafficker

Howard writes to convicted drug trafficker

Agencies, Canberra

Prime Minister John Howard has written to an Australian woman
convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia promising to do all he
can to help her appeal.

Howard sent the letter to Corby Schapelle on July 9 in
response to a personal appeal for help that she wrote to him from
her prison cell on the resort island of Bali. He released his
letter to the media on Monday.

Australia's government "will continue to provide every
assistance it can under our legal system," Howard wrote in the
letter.

Corby, a 28-year-old beauty school student, was sentenced to
20 years in May after being convicted of smuggling 4.1 kilograms
of marijuana into Bali airport in October last year.

Her conviction sparked an angry backlash in Australia. Threats
and packages of white powder were sent to the Indonesian Embassy
in Canberra following Corby's trial, forcing its temporary
closure.

"I need your help to prove my innocence to the court to
release me from this nightmare," Corby told Howard in her letter
dated July 5.

"I feel for you and your family at this very difficult time,"
Howard replied. "I would like to take this opportunity to assure
you that I will continue to take a personal interest in your
case."

Bali's High Court has since agreed to reopen the case to hear
new evidence from witnesses who could support Corby's claim that
the drugs found in her possession were placed there by someone
else.

The court has allowed Corby a new hearing on July 20 during
which up to 12 new witnesses are expected to testify that the
drugs were planted in her surfboard bag.

Corby's lawyers claim that Corby was probably the victim of a
domestic drug smuggling ring involving corrupt baggage handlers.
They say the ring used her luggage to transport cannabis on a
domestic flight but failed to retrieve the drugs before her bags
were transferred to an international flight.

Several of the potential new witnesses are believed to be
already serving prison sentences in Australia, while others are
thought to be baggage handlers and other airport staff.

Howard said his government was prepared to assist witnesses to
give evidence in Bali, but that it "cannot compel any witness to
give evidence against their will."

Jakarta must seek Canberra's permission if potential witnesses
want indemnity from prosecution in Australia, and before someone
already convicted of a crime in Australia is allowed to testify
in Bali, Howard said.

Alternatively, the Australian government can provide the
equipment to allow witnesses to testify from Australia via a
video link, the prime minister said.

Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison has written to
Sydney airport management and the airline that flew Corby to
Bali, Qantas Airways Ltd., seeking help in encouraging potential
defense witnesses to come forward, Howard said.