[Deathpenalty]death penalty news-----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Nov. 21



SINGAPORE/AUSTRALIA:

Execution 'won't change trade'


The Singaporean Government should not think the execution of an Australian
man will go unnoticed, Prime Minister John Howard says.

Convicted drug smuggler Nguyen Tuong Van, 25, will be executed in
Singapore on December 2.

He was caught at Changi airport in 2002 with 396 grams of heroin strapped
to his body and in his hand luggage.

"The Singaporean Government should not imagine that this issue is going
unnoticed in Australia," Mr Howard told ABC Radio.

"There is great feeling and conviction in our country that on this
occasion, the death penalty should not be imposed."

Mr Howard said at a government level there was nothing he could do for
Nguyen.

He said it was not sensible to change Australia's trade relations with
Singapore over the death sentence.

"As a instrument of policy I certainly am opposed to saying well, because
the Singaporean Government is going ahead with this execution, we are
going to take such and such a position on a trade issue," he said.

"That is not sensible and it's not going to serve any good purpose."

(source: Sydney Morning Herald)