The answer, off course, is NO!!
But if you've been reading the DEMANDS, ARGUEMENTS put forward by
Australia in the NGUYEN TUNONG VAN case, you would not be mistaken
to think that Singapore is NOT an independent, successful country -
but perhaps in Australia's eyes, we are a backwater, colonial
outpost, subject to colonial direction and instruction!
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(See extract of article from Straits Times 24/11/05 below)
By William Choong
For The Straits Times
CANBERRA - THE case of the Australian sentenced to death in
Singapore for drug trafficking has received saturation coverage in
the Australian media, with many commentators hitting out at
Singapore.
'Stop this injustice. Let him live,' declared a front-page banner
headline in the weekend edition of the Sydney Morning Herald.
Newspaper columnists, letter writers and callers to radio shows
have also been vocal in criticising Singapore's decision to proceed
with the death sentence for Nguyen Tuong Van, describing it as
'inhumane' and 'barbaric'.
Nguyen, who admitted acting as a drug courier, was sentenced to
death last year after being found guilty of trafficking in almost
400g of heroin, found on him at Changi Airport in December
2002.
Public anger over Nguyen's execution has intensified recently, with
calls for trade sanctions against Singapore, a boycott of Singapore
commercial interests in Australia and a referral to the
International Court of Justice.
In a commentary yesterday, the Australian's editor-at-large Paul
Kelly yesterday argued that while Singapore had the 'most intimate
ties with Australia of any Asian nation', the execution would
'inflict grave damage on its reputation in this country'.
'The hanging of Nguyen will shock many Australians; it will be seen
as a punishment out of proportion with the crime. It will highlight
Singapore's authoritarian nature, its denial of civil liberties and
the flaws in its awesome record of success,' he wrote.
(article continues....)
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If you are as disgusted as I am over Australia's boorish
attitude and bullying antics, join me in a show of solidarity and
loyalty - sign the PETITION featured below! PASS the word
on!
Go to http://www.PetitionOnline.com/SSS01/petition.html
To: The Citizens of Singapore
SHOW your support for the sovereignty of our country, for the
powers of our courts, and for the fairness of our justice
system!
Say NO to foreign intervention and interference! No to unwarranted
insults, media bashing and derision from foreign entities and
countries that have no respect for our country, our way of
life!
NO to foreigners demanding special treatments, extraordinary
waivers!
SHOW your rejection of those who only seek to hurt us, discredit us
at ALL cost simply to achieve their unreasonable demands.
The continuous wrangling and demands from Australia for special
consideration/treatment in the case of convicted heroin smuggler
Nguyen Tuong Van, who is due to be hanged, has revealed the extent
of the regard Australia has for Singapore and our laws, courts, and
way of life.
With hardly any consideration for the sovereignty of our written
laws and the fairness of our justice system, Australia has, like a
bully, insisted that we treat Nguyen differently from all other
criminals in Singapore, be it foreigners or locals, simply, it
seems, because he has an Australian passport.
While the Singapores steadfast, legal and fair position on this
case is lost to Australia, Australia ups the bullying ante and has
gone international in its attempts to discredit us, to diminish our
courts of law and to influence/interfere in the very local societal
rules that we live by!
With continual Singapore-bashing in the Australian media and now,
threats of hauling us to the International Court of Justice,
Australia seems determined to impose on us what she deems as
"right" and "wrong", and that we should bend backwards for her even
when there is no merit in the request. While all these smack of
(Western?) imperialism, it is made especially more pertinent since
the citizens of Singapore live under the very same laws that
convicted Nguyen. Is Australia suggesting that because Nguyen
carries an Australian passport, he is therefore above our laws? And
that we must employ double standards one for locals and another
for Australians/foreigners?
NO!
We sign this petition as a show of faith in our laws and courts, in
our justice system!
We sign this petition as a show of faith in our position in this
travesty!
We sign this petition as a show of unity against unreasonable
demands from Singapore!
Go to http://www.PetitionOnline.com/SSS01/petition.html
