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| Southeast Asia |
| Indonesian president warns of terror attacks |
| 2005-08-29 |
| The President of Indonesia warned western nations that terrorist groups were still planning more attacks and that the terrorists will attempt to carry out their plans during the next few months. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said bomb makers from the militant network Jemaah Islamiah, considered the Southeast Asian affiliate of Al-Qaeda, posed a threat to the world's most populous Muslim nation. 'Terrorist cells are still active. They are still hiding, recruiting, networking, trying to find new funding sources, and even planning,' Yudhoyono said. 'Entering September and October, these are special months for terrorism. There will be an increase of terrorist activities in the region,' he said. While Yudhoyono refused to elaborate on the significance of September and October, it is noted that one major terrorist attack has occurred in recent years in Indonesia and that all the bombings have taken place between August and October. Despite the ongoing threats of violence, Yudhoyono emphasized that the government of Indonesia did not support the terrorists. 'You may read from time to time the voice of small radical groups. But this voice will not change the fact that mainstream Indonesia will continue to be moderate, tolerant and democratic,' Yudhoyono said. 'We will strengthen the hands of the religious moderates,' he added. Indonesia's image as a moderate Muslim country has been under question in recent months. In late July, Indonesia's top Islamic council issued a religious edict (fatwa) forbidding pluralism, any liberal interpretation of Islam as well as mixed marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims. Meanwhile, a bomb scare at the British embassy in Jakarta on Monday turned out to be a false alarm. The embassy was evacuated after a 'suspicious item' was mailed to the compound but it turned out to be a personal package containing a disc player and biscuits according to local police. The embassy has returned to normal status at this time. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #1 Still looking for funding sources? Try Saudi Arabia. |
| Posted by: Thraise Thaper4613 2005-08-29 17:24 |