Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ilaine who wrote (52033)	10/14/2002 4:37:18 PM
From: KLP	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

From Australia today: Counting the cost: Bin Laden blamed By Don Greenlees and staff writers 15Oct02 AUSTRALIA'S losses in the Bali nightclub bombing look set to exceed 100 lives, marking the October 12 terrorist attack as the nation's single blackest day since World War II. As of last night, 15 Australians were officially confirmed dead from the massive car bomb attack but the figure is expected to rise sharply in coming days, as more than 220 Australians still are missing and 113 injured - many critically. Australia and America today joined Indonesia in linking the al-Qaeda terror network to the blasts. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said: "We have had some information, particularly from the Indonesians that there are links to al-Qaeda in this terrorist attack, but we look forward to talking with the Indonesians about this whole question of who is responsible." "We want the Indonesians to bring to justice the people who are responsible for this outrage." In the United States, President George W. Bush said there was "a pattern of attack" by al-Qaeda terrorists in Kuwait, Indonesia and Yemen, raising concerns that Osama bin Laden's troops are on the move again and could strike the United States. Earlier the Indonesian Government gave its firmest acknowledgement yet of the likely culpability of al-Qaeda. "We are sure al-Qaeda is here," Defence Minister Matori Abdul Djalil said after a cabinet meeting in Jakarta. "The Bali bomb blast is related to al-Qaeda with the co-operation of local terrorists." This was the first time a top government official had directly implicated al-Qaeda in Saturday's bombings. Police investigators have been saying they had few clues and no suspects. Yesterday families and friends greeted Australians who had fled Bali just hours after the bombing, many seriously injured. But dozens more searched the morgues of Kuta looking for friends and relatives, as dozens of bodies were burnt beyond recognition. Body parts and charred remains were still being recovered yesterday from the bomb site at Kuta, where Balinese and foreign tourists laid wreaths of flowers and burning incense in memory of the victims. In Canberra, a sombre Prime Minister announced a national day of mourning for Sunday, and a sweeping review of national security measures, amid calls for policing activity to be upgraded across Australia. Among the injured and missing are members of the Australian Defence Force contingent in East Timor and three Australian Federal Police officers, players from sports clubs and dozens of young backpackers. Indonesian authorities said the total death toll was 181, and included victims from Indonesia, Britain, Germany, the United States and Ecuador. The Islamic extremist group Jemaah Islamiah, which has known links to al-Qaeda, has firmed as the prime suspect in the bombings. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer identified JI as the likely perpetrator, although no group has yet claimed responsibility. Indonesian authorities said a jeep packed with C4 explosives caused the blast. With many foreigners deciding to evacuate Indonesia on the advice of their embassies, security forces stepped up security around embassies and other diplomatic facilities. The US has ordered evacuation of all dependants and non-essential staff, and urged its other citizens to depart. Australia has advised against all non-essential travel to Indonesia, and has told tourists in Bali to remain indoors and bring their departure plans forward. The Australian Schools in Jakarta and Bali were closed yesterday. A team of 15 agents from the Australian Federal Police and domestic spy agency the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation are already in Bali co-operating with Indonesian police. Another 25 specialists in victim identification are flying in. They also have been joined by agents from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. Investigation sources said they were considering the possible role of a number of known terrorist groups, including Jemaah Islamiah, which allegedly drew up plans to bomb the US and Australian missions in Singapore. Singapore's Intelligence Security Department has made two mass arrests of Jemaah Islamiah members. A number of governments, including the US, have named an Indonesian cleric, Abu Bakar Bashir, as the spiritual leader of the organisation. But Mr Bashir denied this yesterday. "All the allegations against me are groundless. I challenge them to prove anything. I suspect that the bombing was engineered by the US and its allies to justify allegations that Indonesia is a base for terrorists," he told the Associated Press from Solo, in central Java. A meeting of the Australian government National Security Committee had earlier agreed to send Mr Downer, Justice Minister Chris Ellison, AFP chief Mick Keelty and ASIO boss Denis Richardson to Jakarta as envoys for the government. After speaking to US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair by telephone, John Howard said all three governments wanted to help the Indonesians with the investigation. In focus: Full coverage of the Bali terror attack This report appears on news.com.au.