The Jakarta Post, 12/7/2003 3:05:53 PM
Terrorists regrouping in Indonesia, security minister warns
NUSA DUA, Bali (AP): Terrorist cells in Indonesia are probably "regrouping, retraining
and recruiting," and could be planning more deadly bombings here, the country's top
security minister warned on Sunday.
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, has emerged as a key battle
ground in the U.S.-led war on terrorism since Islamic militants bombed two nightclubs
on the country's Bali island last year, killing 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.
The al-Qaida-linked Southeast Asian terror group Jemaah Islamiyah was blamed for
the Oct. 12, 2002, Bali attacks. It has also been implicated in the Aug. 5 blast at the
Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, which killed 12 people and injured around 150.
"We are up against determined enemies who attack us again and again,"
Coordinating Minister on Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
said at an international conference here on the economic challenges facing Indonesia
in 2004.
Indonesia was criticized before the Bali bombings for failing to act on warnings that
militants were targeting the sprawling archipelago. Since then, police have arrested
more than 90 militants, but public displays of support for the war on terror,or
recognition that Islamic terrorists remain a threat, are rare.
Many government officials are wary about being seen ascooperating too closely with
the United States - something they fear could alienate Muslim voters in polls
scheduled for 2004.
"Indonesia is now a front line state in the global fight against terrorism," said
Yudhoyono, who is expected to run for president next year. "We will continue to be on
that front line in 2004."
"It is likely that the terrorists groups are regrouping, reconnecting, recruiting and
retraining," he said. "They may well take advantage of our national political agenda in
2004."
Authorities have rounded up 35 people in connection with the Bali bombings.
Twenty-nine have been convicted and sentenced to jail terms ranging from seven
years to life. Three have been sentencedto death.
At least 10 other Jemaah Islamiyah leaders - including Malaysians Azahari bin Husin
and Noordin Mohammed Top -are believed to be hiding in the country.
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