ICG corrects report on JI

ICG corrects report on JI

JAKARTA: Responding to a complaint filed by Indonesian
Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, the
International Crisis Group (ICG) has revised its latest report on
Jamaah Islamiyah's operations in Indonesia.

ICG reported recently that Fauzi Hasbi, a JI member of Aceh
province, maintained regular communications with Sjafrie since he
surrendered to the military in 1979.

The ICG made it clear in its revision that "Hasbi had
communications with Major General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin as recently
as 2000".

It also revised its report that Hasbi's first meeting with the
general occurred when he surrendered in 1977.

Sjafrie earlier threatened to sue the non-governmental
organization if it failed to correct his role in the report,
saying that "the report could cause public misinterpretation as
it links me to Jamaah Islamiyah".

Following the Bali bomb blasts on Oct. 12, Jamaah Islamiyah
was declared a terrorist organization as it is believed to have
close links with the international terrorist group al-Qaeda, led
by Osama bin Laden. The group is also suspected of playing a role
in the Bali blasts. --JP