The Jakarta Post, 8/19/2006 1:26:46 PM
Small bomb explodes in Poso, no injured
JAKARTA (AP): A small bomb exploded in a Christian-owned cafe in Central
Sulawesi's town of Poso that has been plagued by religious violence, police and
witnesses said Saturday. No one was injured in the blast.
Authorities have identified several suspects in Friday night's attack, said local police
chief Rudy Sufahriadi, adding only that the men had engaged in past violence.
"I don't want to speculate on a motive," he said. "The investigation is still ongoing."
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation but has significant Christian
minorities.
Poso and surrounding districts saw fierce battles between Muslims and Christians in
2001 and 2002 that killed about 1,000 people. A cease-fire ended the fighting, but
Islamic militants have continued a campaign of bombings, shootings and other
attacks in the area.
The cafe targeted Friday night was owned by Josef Torabu, who said a more powerful
blast at the same eatery three years ago wounded four people, including his wife and
11-year-old daughter. Police have never found the perpetrators of that attack.
"I thought at the time they were Muslims who were angry because I was selling
alcohol," said Torabu, 48. "But now we only sell food, tea, coffee and soft drinks. Why
are they still attacking my business?" (**)
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