FPI deny link with bin Laden

Abu Hanifah and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Two Muslim groups have denied reports that they have connections with Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the terrorist attacks on the U.S., saying that the allegations were fabricated by U.S. intelligence agencies.

"It shows how poor the U.S. intelligence agencies' performance is. Their reports seem to be based on gossip from housewives' clubs," Jafar Umar Thalib, the chairman of Laskar Jihad, told The Jakarta Post, here on Thursday.

He was referring to the frontline U.S. intelligence bodies, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

"I have neither contact nor any relationship with Osama bin Laden. We have different struggle platforms. He bases his struggle on Khawariz while I base mine on Ahlus Sunah Wal Jamaah," he explained, saying that both platforms were very different.

In its online edition dated Oct. 10, The New York Times reported that after the Afghanistan military operation, the U.S. government would undertake "covert and overt action" against bin Laden's alleged network in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The report clearly mentions Laskar Jihad and the FPI as Indonesian Islamic fundamentalist groups that have received donations, manpower and arms from bin Laden.

Although admitting that he was involved in the Afghanistan war in the late 80's, Jafar denied the report about his connections with the Taliban.

"When I was there between 1987 and 1989, the Taliban had yet to emerge. It was born in 1992 following the rift among the Mujahidin in Afghanistan after the Russians left," Jafar recalled.

FPI operations commander Siradj Alwi also denied any connection with Osama bin Laden. "We all know that America often makes up evidence, like the evidence about the suspects in the September 11 attack," Siradj told the Post.

Meanwhile, Suaib Didu, the chairman of another Islamic militant group, the Islamic Youth Movement (GPI), stated that he had ordered his staff to send volunteers to Afghanistan. He said that up to now the GPI had sent at least 300 volunteers.

"The sending of volunteers to Afghanistan is now underway. I issued the order the night the attack on Afghanistan started," Suaib told reporters at his office.