BBC World News, Sunday, 13 October, 2002, 04:31 GMT 05:31 UK
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Bali: Tourist magnet unused to violence
[Photo: The unspoilt beaches of Bali prove a lure for millions]
Every year millions of tourists flock to the Indonesian island of Bali, lured by its lush
green forests and unspoilt white sandy beaches.
Known as "The Island of the Gods", it sits off the most easterly point of Java island
and is home to a predominantly Hindu culture that has flourished in what is the world's
most populous Muslim nation.
[Photo: The blast is likely to trigger a tourist exodus]
Tourism is the backbone of the island's economy, with Kuta, where the blast
occurred, a holidaymaker's playground crammed with bars, restaurants and
nightclubs.
Until now the island has been a peaceful haven that has been spared the bloody
inter-ethnic and religious conflict that has wracked other provinces in the archipelago
since the downfall of former President Suharto in 1998.
Government officials have always insisted that Bali is a safe place to visit and in 2001
about one and a half million tourists entered Indonesia at Bali's international airport,
with many more travelling to the island from other parts of the country.
The majority of overseas visitors come from nearby Australia, with Kuta itself, home to
the island's largest public beach, a popular haunt for surfers.
The Sari Club, which was at the centre of the blast is one of the most frequented
clubs on the town's main street and is jam-packed with partying tourists on any given
night.
[Photo: There are fears al-Qaeda has gained a foothold in Indonesia]
Indonesia is 85% Muslim and while the vast majority of the population are moderates
the country is home to a number of Muslim extremist groups.
Foremost among these is the Laskar Jihad, a paramilitary organisation which has
threatened to wage a holy war against the region's Christians.
Laskar Jihad has been implicated in shooting, bombing and arson attacks on
Christians in Sulawesi and Maluku.
Another group are the Defenders of Islam Front (FPI) - a self-appointed "vice and
virtue" squad which targets bars and karaoke parlours.
Terror links
Officials from the United States also say that al-Qaeda, the terror network blamed for
the 11 September attacks in Washington and New York, has been trying to establish
a power base Indonesia.
The US has issued a number of warnings that the country is home to al-Qaeda
sympathisers and consequently could be the scene of a terrorist attack.
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) is one group which is believed to have financial and personnel
links to the al-Qaeda network, placing it under immediate suspicion for this attack.
JI has been accused of trying to establish a Muslim state in south-east Asia and of
trying to attack Australian, British and US targets in Singapore late last year.
In the past Indonesian officials have insisted that Bali was immune to attack by such
Muslim radicals, citing the Hindu culture there.
But whoever is to blame for Saturday's devastating blast the fear that it will engender
seems certain to spark a tourist exodus from what had been a holiday paradise.
[Photo: Map of Bali]
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