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Print this article | Close this window JI, al-Qaeda's Indonesian branch office of terror October 13 2002 If the Bali blast indeed is the result of a murderous terrorist attack, the name Jemaah Islamiyah, known as JI, is set to become as well known as al-Qaeda. But it's certainly not news to anti-terrorism experts in Australia and abroad. The shadowy Indonesian-based group of Islamic extremists is regarded as a leg of al- Qaeda's South-East Asian infrastructure, along with the Philippines-based Abu Sayaff. In February, Singapore arrested 13 alleged JI members over plans to bomb the US Embassy and the British and Australian High Commissions. But Singapore expressed its frustration that the group's alleged leader remained at large in Indonesia. Singapore isn't the only nation concerned that Indonesia has failed to take the tough measures needed to rein in the organisation. "We are perfectly aware of the concerns of countries in the region, particularly about Jemaah Islamiyah and other associated or like organisations like Laskar Jihad," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said at an ASEAN regional forum meeting in July. "We do have concerns, we have discussed those concerns with the Indonesians." In a speech last month, Defence Minister Robert Hill described an arc of militant Islamic influence which posed a serious threat to regional nations and Western interests. "It's also clear that Jemaah Islamiyah is central to this threat," he said. "This organisation has links with al-Qaeda. It seeks to create a new Islamic state in South- East Asia by attacking Western interests but also by using terrorism to weaken the legitimacy of the regional governments." And in a speech late last month US ambassador Tom Schieffer warned that Australia was on al-Qaeda's target list, not because of support for the US but because of the intervention in East Timor in September 1999. Australia has certainly sought to do its bit to promote the regional fight against terror with Prime Minister John Howard signing a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia in February. That relates to sharing of intelligence. Australia has already helped Indonesia draft laws on money laundering that would help authorities crack down on terrorist networks. Singapore and Malaysia have adopted a robust approach to terrorists within their borders, as has the Philippines. But the feeling remains that Indonesia has yet to pull its weight. "Unlike its neighbours, Indonesia has yet to demonstrate a commitment to cracking down on militancy in its borders. "It has refused to detain suspected terrorists and is remaining obstinate in the face of continuing regional pressure," US intelligence assessment group Stratfor said in a recent analysis. The US has sought to apply as much pressure as possible with recent visits by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who announced a $US50 million ($A91.66 million) program to assist security forces in the anti-terrorism struggle. Clearly there is not a great deal more Australia can do beyond polite encouragement. Relations, particularly with the Indonesian military, the TNI, remain strained over East Timor. Should the worst possible scenario emerge - national deterioration to the extent that the nation became a terrorist safe haven a la Afghanistan - Australian impotence would be manifest. Putting the best possible spin on the situation, Senator Hill noted that Indonesia remained ready to join the fight against terrorism and the TNI remained the main repository of a national anti-terrorist capability. "I hope this will not be the case but it is conceivable that Australian lives and interests could at some time rest on this capability," he said. JI is not a newcomer and there is one view that it was actually created by Indonesian military intelligence in the 1970s with the aim of compromising opponents of then President Suharto. Brussels-based think-tank the International Crisis Group (ICG) - of which former Labor foreign minister Gareth Evans is chief executive - said JI had its roots in the unsuccessful Darul Islam rebellion of the 1940s and `50s which sought to create an Islamic state. Suharto seized power in 1966 and by the mid-1970s was seeking to give his regime a veneer of legitimacy through creation of an opposition, comprising a religious and a secular party. But Suharto's cronies were concerned that the opposition might be too popular and set about discrediting it. ICG said intelligence chief General Ali Murtopo used his agents to persuade former Darul Islam members to reactivate themselves to prevent communist infiltration. In 1977 the security forces pounced, arresting 185. The name Jemaah Islamiyah first surfaced in court documents from this time. Among those jailed and released in the 1980s was Abu Bakar Bashir, the Muslim cleric now accused by Singapore of being JI's ringleader. AAP This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/10/13/1034222674616.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A<>E<>R + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Forwarded as information only; I don't believe everything I read or send (but that doesn't stop me from considering it; obviously SOMEBODY thinks it's important) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. 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