Pubdate: Mon, 30 May 2005
Source: Courier-Mail, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.thecouriermail.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/98
Author: Greg Stolz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/schapelle+corby

EX-BOYFRIEND LEADS CALL FOR BALI BOYCOTT

Devastated . . . Shannon McLure wants a ban on trade and aid to
Indonesia. He is a former boyfriend of Schapelle Corby. Picture: Geoff
McLachlan.

Schapelle Corby's ex-lover has backed calls for a boycott of Bali and
says Australia should stop foreign aid and trade to Indonesia.

Gold Coast concreter Shannon McLure, who dated Corby for two years,
was still reeling yesterday at her 20-year sentence.

Adding to his anger were the comments of Balinese chief judge Linton
Sirait, who said he had slept "very well" on Friday night after
sending Corby to jail.

"I don't think the guy's got a conscience," Mr McLure said.

He said he was "shocked and devastated" at Corby's conviction and
sentence. And while he did not blame the Indonesian people, "their
justice system has a lot to answer for".

"How they can give the guy who masterminded the Bali bombings two
years' jail and give Schapelle what is effectively a life sentence is
beyond belief and a disgrace to most Australians," he said. (Muslim
cleric Abu Bakar Bashir was sentenced to 2 1/2 years' jail for
criminal conspiracy in March.)

"Australia is a big-hearted country and we gave Indonesia $1 billion
after the tsunami. They should give us something in return. They
should give us back Schapelle."

He also lashed out at the Australian Government saying, "I don't think
they've really lifted a finger".

Mr McLure, who broke up with Corby 2 1/2 years ago after a long-term
relationship, said he planned to visit her in jail.

"She's a strong girl but I just don't know how she's going to handle
it."

Meanwhile, support for Corby continued to pour in yesterday, with
dozens of customers at the family's Southport fish and chip shop
signing a petition to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin