(Australian)PM: no mercy for killers

news.com.au ^ | 19/10/02 | Andrew Probyn

[libertarian_au]

PRIME Minister John Howard yesterday promised no mercy for the Bali bombers.

Mr Howard even signalled he might overturn his long-held opposition to the death penalty.

"I am normally opposed (to the death penalty), yes, that is my normal view; (but) this is anything but a normal position," he said.

Those convicted of the bombing face death by firing squad under an emergency anti-terrorism decree signed by Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri yesterday.

Asked whether Australia would push for the death penalty for the perpetrators, Mr Howard said: "I don't think Australia will want much mercy being shown to them."

The death penalty, though rarely enforced in Indonesia, was imposed by a Jakarta court as recently as May on two men over an August 2001 bomb attack on a Jakarta shopping mall. They were linked to a militant Muslim group with links to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

It emerged last night that Australia could try to extradite suspects.

Superintendent Graham Ashton, who is heading the hunt, said an agreement signed between Australia's and Indonesia's police commissioners gave them powers to conduct a joint investigation of the bombing for three years.

"We could (extradite suspects), whether we do or not will be subject to negotiation," he said.

Indonesia's new decree allows for the detention of terrorist suspects for up to 12 months.

Abu Bakar Bashir, spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, which is suspected of involvement in the Bali bombing, was expected to be the first to be detained.

But last night he collapsed and was rushed to hospital.

[libertarian_au]

Im not John Howards biggest fan,but if he actually succeeds in getting the terrorists extradited to Australia and given the death penalty,then all will be forgiven.He has shown strength and resolve ever since September 11.

[Bigg Red]

Pro-Aussie bump!

[backhoe]

-The Bali Horror- a partial Archive--

[aristeides]

Does Australia have a death penalty? If so, for what crimes?

[Billthedrill]

Abu Bakar Bashir, spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, which is suspected of involvement in the Bali bombing, was expected to be the first to be detained.

But last night he collapsed and was rushed to hospital.

Oh, no, say it ain't so! Well, I guess I should send flowers...do they have Deadly Nightshade in Indonesia?

[Inkie]

Could he be pulling a Christopher Skase?

[Inkie]

No death penalty. It is a very left-wing place.

[Inkie]

Whether you like him or not, you can thank John Howard for Australia dodging a huge bullet when he took a stand on those "asylum seekers" just before 9/11. The idea that a democratic country like Australia has an obligation to take into its nest vipers who wish to destroy it goes beyond the pale.

[another cricket]

Send Oleanders. Chewing on the stems would bring him great peace.

a.cricket

[js1138]

Fortunately the hospitals in Bali are really bad. Flesh eating bacteria, anyone?

[ContentiousObjector]

last hanging was in the mid-60's, formally abolished in 1986

[aristeides]

So there'd have to be an ex post facto law to execute the Bali perps in Australia? Better, I should think, to let Indonesia execute them.

[libertarian_au]

No western nation besides the US has the death penalty,though its reintroudction here is being pushed by some and this could be the issue to push it through.There is only one loophole i can think of,which is 'treason to the crown' but im not sure.

My reasons for having issues with Mr Howard arent about his immigration policies,its about him and i having different opinions on certain liberties and Australia being a republic with a new constitution and our own head of state(rather than the queen).

[MortMan]

Could he be pulling a Christopher Skase?

If he's involved, let's hope it turns into a Bill Casey. (Former CIA Chief, IIRC)

[libertarian_au]

'No death penalty. It is a very left-wing place.'

You're right to a degree,Australia is left wing(with alot of right wing policies thrown in),but only compared to America.Behind you,all things considered,we'd have to rate #2 as the least authoritarian country in the world.Seeing i have no chance of immigrating to the States,all i can do is hope,and promote,that Australians vote for a republic at the next referendum,with a new constitution based on yours rather than the British model.

[45Auto]

Mr. Howard is full of crap, as ususal. He was instrumental in the Great Australian Gun Grab - a move which was "certain" to eliminate gun violence in Australia. The only thing it did was reduce the safety of the average Australian citizen. Now, he wants us to believe that he is for knocking off the Bali bombers. His biggest mistake, is the same one being made by politicians the world over - thinking this is somehow a law enforcement matter, when in actuality, it is the start of World War III.

[ContentiousObjector]

This is just the politics of rage on the part of PM Howard, outside the US after some horrible crime there is usually a screaming rage for capital punishment, but it soon goes away and people go back to being disgusted by it.

I don't think the Australians have any intention of executing anyone, and I doubt the Indonesians do either

[libertarian_au]

No argument from me regarding the gun grab.But time will tell if he is talking crap about this.Whether or not its the start of ww3 isnt relevant to the anger felt here,its only about revenge for the lives lost.The 'war on terror' continues regardless of this,people here just want to see justice.This doesnt take anything away from other fronts being fought.

[Woodman]

How about some help for our Aussie Friends?

Here is one place to go Aussie relief Information

[Woodman]

Just a question, what is the true death toll for the Aussies? Please include the missing, I want to realistic and after living through 911 here in New York, I am 99% sure the missing have been taken from us.