'Some good has come of this'

PRIME Minister John Howard warned young Australians they risk the same fate as executed Melbourne man Nguyen Tuong Van if they got into drug trafficking.

"I hope the strongest message that comes out of this, above everything else, is a message to the young of Australia; don't have anything to do with drugs," Mr Howard said yesterday.

Mr Howard made the comments as Territorians reflected on yesterday's execution of Nguyen at Singapore's Changi Prison.

Chief Minister Clare Martin believes the Singapore Government's decision to hang the Australian drug trafficker will not harm trade relations with the NT.

The Singapore Government rejected all pleas for clemency and executed Nguyen yesterday at 7-30am Territory time.

Many Territorians attended church or held their own private vigils to commemorate Nguyen's hanging.

Others remain adamant the Singapore Government was right to follow through with the execution to send a message drug trafficking will not be tolerated in the city state.

Despite her personal belief Nguyen did not deserve to die for trying to smuggle almost 400g of heroin, Ms Martin dismissed suggestions the decision to hang him could affect trade between the NT and Singapore.

"Australians are very disappointed," she said. "It's a concern that will be echoed for not just a few weeks but a few years."

Blain MLA Terry Mills raised the issue in Parliament on Thursday and questioned the ethics of criticising the Singapore Government for executing drug traffickers.

"The 396g of heroin he strapped to his leg was enough for 26,000 hits and had a street value of $1 million," he said. "The reason he gave for smuggling drugs into Australia was to repay his brother's debt - this is not an excuse."

Territory Anglican Bishop Philip Freier, who held a vigil for Nguyen yesterday, described the hanging as a multiple tragedy.

"It's a very sad thing to think that such an act is being carried out - a multiple tragedy when you consider the effects on his family and friends," he said.


Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Sat, 3 December 2005
Source: The Northern Territory News(Australia Web)
Author: Greg McLean
Website: http://www.ntnews.news.com.au