FED: Debate over death penalty could be distracting: Howard

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FED: Debate over death penalty could be distracting: Howard

On ABC Radio in Hobart, Mr Howard said public debate between Australia and Indonesiaabout Amrozi's death sentence would send a distracting signal to the international community.

"My view is a very simple one," Mr Howard said.

"This crime was committed in Indonesia by an Indonesian citizen, and the law of Indonesiarequires the imposition of the death penalty.

"It would be sending a very distracting signal if the focus of public debate were nowto be an exchange of communication between the Australian government and the Indonesiangovernment about the nature of the penalty being imposed on the person ... along withothers, responsible for the murder of 88 of our citizens.

"I think the public would scratch its head, and the international community would say:`What's all this about? I thought they were meant to be working together to fight terrorism.'"

Asked if there was any danger of making Amrozi a martyr, Mr Howard said the risk couldbe overstated.

"I think that can be overblown, I really do," he said.

Mr Howard said he had expected Amrozi to be handed the death penalty yesterday.

"I don't know if I got to the situation of hoping or not hoping," he said, when askedwhat he had hoped the penalty would be.

"I just expected, if he were found guilty, he would receive the death penalty."

AAP las/ak/jlw/A

KEYWORD: BALI TRIAL HOWARD 3 MELBOURNE (REOPENS)