On Sunday, April 17, 2005, the Indonesian Police in Bali arrested nine Australians for their alleged involvement in drug smuggling.

Drugs are a major problem in Indonesia and have caused severe destruction on Indonesians, especially the young generation. Hundreds of thousands of people have fallen victim to drug misuse. Therefore, the Indonesian government has always enforced stern action against those involved in drug smuggling.

Article 82 of Indonesia's Law No. 22 of 1997 on drugs promulgates the death sentence on those involved in the horrendous crime of drug smuggling.

The Indonesian Government always appreciates and needs the cooperation of friendly countries in the region to help combat international crime, including drug trafficking. This cooperation, which is ongoing, has been of considerable assistance to the Indonesian government in combating illegal drugs in order to save the lives of tens of millions of Indonesia's young people, as well as those in the region.

Therefore we call upon all who care very much about the destructive power of drugs to help our authorities in its war against drugs.

Canberra, 29 April 2005