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Australian FM to plead for drug smugglers in Indonesia
Sun, Aug 10, 2008
AFP

SYDNEY (AFP) - - Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Sunday he would use upcoming talks in Indonesia to raise the issue of clemency for three Australian drug traffickers held there on death row.

Smith, who will meet with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda in Jakarta on Monday, said he would discuss the plight of the three men, who face death by firing squad.

The trio are part of the so-called "Bali Nine", a group of Australians convicted over a foiled plot to smuggle 8.3 kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin from the Indonesian resort island into Australia in 2005.

"I'll be just making the point in our formal bilateral conversation in Jakarta tomorrow that we have three of the Bali Nine still subject to the death penalty," Smith said.

"I'll make inquiries about the progress of their cases through the Indonesian legal and judicial system and, again, make the point that when those processes have completed, that if any of those three still remain the subject of the death penalty, we'll be making a plea for clemency in accordance with our normal processes."

Smith said that while the Australian government was opposed to the death penalty, he would not raise the issue of clemency for those responsible for the deaths of 88 Australians in nightclub bombings in Bali in 2002.

"The prime minister and I have both made clear that we don't propose to make representations on behalf of terrorists who have been subject to the death penalty," he told Australia's Channel Nine.

"So I won't be making any individual representations so far as the Bali bombers are concerned."

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