Not a good role model
for a Prime Minister!
AUSTRALIA: IF you were looking at 15 years in a filthy Bali prison, what would you do to get out?
Michelle Leslie posed the question and suddenly did not seem the bad person the Prime Minister painted her as.
Fluctuating between strength and vulnerability, the model called a snap conference Friday to hit back at her critics, from the pro-government media in the studio to our infamous Prime Minister John Howard.
"From the day of my arrest until the day I was released, I really believed I would spend the next 15 years of my life rotting in an Indonesian prison," Michelle Leslie said before breaking down, tears dampening her cheeks.
"I can't begin to describe how frightened I was and how confusing it was to find myself in that situation.
"I don't think anyone could blame me or my family or friends for doing everything they could to get me out."
"I think anybody else in that situation would have done the same."
For those unfamiliar with Bali's Kerobokan jail, she offered a quick verbal tour. Her cell was "infested with cockroaches and had no ventilation and no sunlight".
"I had to share that cell with up to 13 women at a time," she said.
The only relief from the heat "was a daily shower with a bucket of cold water in an open sewer".
She then criticised Prime Minister John Howard who -- like his newspaper the Daily Terror and others -- said she should not be paid for her story.
"What has really shocked me is the amount of anger that has been leveled at me, especially from the Prime Minister," Leslie said.
"I know there has been a lot of speculation about whether I was going to tell my story -- let me tell you now, all I ever wanted to do was clear my name and also that my story is not for sale."
She made it clear from the start that she would not talk about her case or criticise the Indonesian legal system, because this could make life worse for other Australians in Bali awaiting their fate.
Her softly spoken father Albert sat on her left.
On her right was mentor Sean Mulcahy.
Albert Leslie spoke with disbelief about his daughter's treatment.
Mr Leslie blasted Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for taking no interest in his family.
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Open letter to Michelle Leslie
26.11.2005 23:47
Thank you for being such a real person and I hope you get better soon.
Please try and get on with your life now and continue to be what you always wanted to be.
I hope that your dad gets back his $600,000 that your family was robbed of by that evil and corrupt Indonesian government.
I know our government conspired to let it happen, amongst other things, and that they will continue to tell us that Indonesia is a 'true' and 'just' place to be relied upon, 'believed', 'visited', or 'live'.
But most people know that is not true.
John Howard can be a very nasty person and should be removed from public office just for lying to the Australian people, about it and everything else he's lied about in the past.
He doesn't set any example to the Australian people because he also has yet to face his own trial for his war crimes against humanity, at the Hague.
Perhaps a taste of prison life would change his mind about what he expects others to endure?
Your case has proved what a lot of people have believed for a very long time now.
Why is the Australian government in bed with Indonesian government?
When we know that Indonesia is amongst the most corrupt governments and that Australia should not be taking for granted anything that the Indonesian government say is true, on face value! Then acting on that advice alone!
People who are being blown up in Indonesia on the dance floor, the cafes and the Embassy deserve nothing but the truth, so help me God!
And dear person you were the one chosen to deliver that message to the people, through God from the kingdom of heaven, and onto planet earth.
So whether you know it or not or whether you like it or not! From me to you 'This is a Sign' and the light. Not an ordinary light, 'superflurient' the 'brightest light'. Chromium Blue in colour.
God has spoken through you and given all Australians a very special gift for Christmas.
Avoid Indonesia like the plague because your life depends on it!
That gift as it should, has now been past on as a gift by your good self - even though you have paid for it dearly.
The big picture though, is that with your help, other people may avoid the DANGER, may be prevented from having a bad experience, take greater care and survive.
Thanx
FX