An Australian living in Tokyo - Call for Calm

Received this well written and considered advice from aa Australian ex-pat currently living in Tokyo Japan. Paul made the following point to me in a separate exchange ...

"I have been living in many parts of Asia for the past decade and I am worried that many Australians do not appreciate the issue of "face" in Asia".

"From: paul.sampson
An Australian living in Tokyo - Japan
Sent: Sunday, 17 April 2005 9:59 PM
To: supporters@schapelle.com
Subject: Calm Down Please
To all of Corby Schapelle's fellow supporters

Understandably many people are now getting extremely frustrated with Corby Schapelle's terrible ordeal in Bali. 
I want to appeal to everyone to be very careful that they are not seen to taking out their anger on the Indonesians, and their judicial system.

I understand why people may feel like this but for Ms Schapelle's benefit I ask you to please instead focus your anger on the Australian Government's lack of support for one of its citizens.

Culturally, much damage will be done to Ms Schapelle's cause if the Indonesians think that they are not respected.  Even though we might not respect their system of justice it is best that this be handled by the Australian Government.

Our job is to get the Australian Government involved, post haste.

There are so many questions that the Government is accountable to answer, but they do not appear to be engaged on the issue.  Perhaps, and hopefully, they are doing things behind the scenes, but as Australia is a democracy and a free country, we have the right to know. 

Airport security and allegations of drug smuggling are Federal matters.  Australian forensic capabilities are of world class status, but Schapelle Corby has been denied access to one of our country's strengths.

So please focus your anger on the Australian Government. Written by Paul Sampson - I am an Australian expat living in Tokyo.  I am very very concerned for Corby Schapelle and extremely disappointed by the apparent lack of support from the Australian Government.

PAUL SAMPSON