Aus urges Vietnam for clemency

2008-07-02 20:28

Hanoi - Australia urged Vietnam on Wednesday to spare two Australians convicted of drug trafficking from the firing squad.

Visiting Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said he received assurances from Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung that the government was giving "careful and proper" consideration to appeals for clemency made by two Australian citizens of Vietnamese origin on death row for drug trafficking.

"I've made the point that Australia supports those bids of clemency," Smith said.

Jasmine Luong, 34, of Sydney, was sentenced to death on appeal in March after police found 1.4kg of heroin hidden in her shoes and luggage as she prepared to board a flight home from Ho Chi Minh City last year.

Tony Manh, 40, of New South Wales state was sentenced to death in September 2007 after he was arrested with 0.948kg of heroin hidden on his body as he too tried to board a plane to Sydney from the same airport last year.

At least four Vietnamese-Australians convicted of drug trafficking have had their death sentences commuted following requests from the Australian government, which banned the death penalty in 1973. Vietnam has not executed any Australians for drug offences.

Several Vietnamese-Australians have been arrested in recent months for suspected drug trafficking, including three accused of trying to smuggle heroin onto airplanes.

Smith said the two countries' police forces can work together to help prevent future crimes.

"I've made the point to the prime minister that Australia does not condone narcotic offences, on the contrary, we regard these are very serious," he said.

Smith was wrapping up a two-day visit to Vietnam on Wednesday.

Vietnam has some of the world's toughest drug laws. Possessing, trading or trafficking more than 600g of heroin or 20kg of opium is punishable by death.

About 200 000 Vietnamese have settled in Australia since the Vietnam War ended in 1975.

- AP