Indonesia gets world support in blast aftermath
Indonesia gets world support in blast aftermath
Agencies, Jakarta
The government received on Wednesday sympathy and support from world leaders, who expressed confidence that Indonesia would be able to find the perpetrators of the JW Marriott Hotel bombing as soon as possible.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said that world leaders had sent special messages to President Megawati Soekarnoputri regarding Tuesday's devastating bombing.
"They expressed confidence and promised to support us in resolving the case and continuing with the fight against terrorism," Hassan said at the Presidential Palace.
He said Australia and France had officially offered their assistance in investigating the carnage that killed at least 10 people, according to a police report, and injured at least 149 others.
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were the first to send messages to the President, Hassan said.
A source at the President's office told The Jakarta Post that Australian Prime Minister John Howard had talked with Megawati over the phone on Wednesday.
Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called the bombing a "brutal attack" which must be answered with a united front.
"Faced with the continuing threat of terrorism, we must strengthen our common commitment to combat and conquer all forms of violence around the world," Berlusconi said, in a message of condolence to Indonesian authorities.
Chinese President Hu Jintao also sent a message condemning the blast and pledging Chinese cooperation in fighting terrorism.
"The Chinese government strongly condemns this terrorist act," Hu said in his message, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency.
"China is ready to engage in common efforts with all countries in the region, including Indonesia, to crack down on terrorist forces and maintain peace and stability," he said.
Canberra warned further terrorist attacks could be imminent in Jakarta, saying that extremist group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) was so entrenched in Indonesia that wiping it out would likely take years.
Foreign minister Alexander Downer said alleged Bali bomber Amrozi's trial verdict on Thursday and Indonesia's national day on Aug. 17 were both possible triggers for attacks.
"We think there is a real risk that there could be further attacks, including in Central Jakarta," Downer told reporters, adding that Australians in Indonesia should take the travel advisory seriously.
In Manila, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urged ASEAN to increase vigilance against terror attacks.
"This (Jakarta bombing) is a clear message that the war against terrorism in the region must be pursued with more intensive multilateral cooperation," Arroyo said at the opening of the ASEAN Finance Ministers meeting in Manila.
"The region must now learn to live with these threats from day to day. Vigilance must become a way of life, even as we maintain normalcy in the course of work and business," Arroyo added.
In Bangkok, the Thai government voiced a similar call for ASEAN countries to work together in fighting terrorism in the region.
"What has happened must compel all countries to cooperate... To suppress and fight international terrorism from now on," foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai told reporters.
In Islamabad, foreign ministry spokesman Masood Khan said that Pakistan condemned the terrorist attack in Jakarta.
Tokyo dubbed the bombing a despicable act of indiscriminate terrorism and pledged its full cooperation with the international community.
"It looked like an act of indiscriminate terrorism. We feel extremely sorry for those who lost their lives. It is an utterly despicable act," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told a news conference.
Canada also "strongly" condemned the attack.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families at this time," said foreign minister Bill Graham in a statement.