Bali bombings initially slated for Sept. 11, 2002

Bali bombings initially slated for Sept. 11, 2002

The group of terrorists responsible for the bombings in Bali's
resort area of Kuta initially intended to detonate the 1,025
kilograms of explosives on Sept. 11 2002 to commemorate the first
anniversary of the al-Qaeda-sponsored attack on the World Trade
Center in New York, defendant Ali Imron admitted on Thursday.

In his sixth trial in Denpasar, Imron disclosed that the
decision to execute the attack on that date was made by his elder
brother Ali Gufron alias Mukhlas, who allegedly was playing a
supervisory role in the bombings, and Imam Samudra, the alleged
field commander of the group.

However, Imron acknowledged, that the date was moved back to
Oct. 12, 2002 without his knowledge.

"I do not know why it was changed nor who decided the new
date," he told the court.

On that fateful date, an explosion took place inside Paddy's
Pub and was instantly followed by a huge explosion at the Sari
Club. At least 202 people were killed in the bombings, mostly
foreigners.

Imron also revealed that the five kilograms bomb that exploded
in the empty street next to the U.S. Consular Agency office in
Renon merely served as a warning to the U.S. government.

"It was a warning that they (the U.S.) were the actual target
of the big bomb," he said. -- JP