Jakarta blast dominates world media with views split over effects
Jakarta blast dominates world media with views split over effects
The bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta dominated Asian
newspapers on Friday but opinions were divided over the political
impact of the attack.
At least nine people died and 180 injured in an attack that
would have repercussions for upcoming Australian elections and
raised questions over the ability of Indonesia to tackle
terrorism, according to editorials from across the region.
The bombing thrust national security to the forefront of
Australia's Oct. 9 general election with newspapers there
agreeing that it was an unprecedented attack on the nation.
"Terror at our door" said the Australian newspaper with the
Sydney Morning Herald declaring "Evil at our gate" accompanied by
pictures of the bomb-ravaged embassy.
In the immediate aftermath of the bombing, both Prime Minister
John Howard and opposition Labor Party leader Mark Latham
suspended campaigning that had previously been dominated by
economic issues.
"The bombing in Jakarta could become the event that crushed
Mark Latham's bid to get a Labor government elected," the Daily
Telegraph said, pointing out that opinion polls showed most
voters viewed Howard as more capable on national security.
The Sydney Morning Herald said the attack was likely to create
a mood of uncertainty and insecurity. "Such a feeling often
encourages voters to stay with the incumbent government," it
said.
The Straits Times said it was less clear how voters would
react and pointed to the Madrid train bombings just before
elections in Spain, which also had troops in Iraq, that led to a
change in government.
The blast targeting Australia, a U.S. ally, "raises important
questions about the timing, intention and consequences," said the
newspaper in its Friday editorial.
The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong said the attack was
likely to bring Indonesian public opinion behind efforts to
tackle terrorism with both candidates in Sept. 20 presidential
polls vowing to take a hard line.
"Yesterday's attack suggests the threat posed by JI (Jamaah
Islamiyah) remains a big one. Even if it was carried out by a
different group, the conclusion is unavoidable. Indonesia -- the
world's most populous Muslim country -- cannot afford to soften
its stance on terrorism." -- AFP