Shock waves of the blasts have enraged Australians

Shock waves of the blasts have enraged Australians

Dewi Anggraeni, Contributor, Melbourne

The enormity of the horrific bomb attack in Kuta, Bali, is
very much felt in Australia. Not only has Kuta been regarded
affectionately by Australians as one of their most favored
resorts, but at the time of the attack there were Australian
footballers and rugby players in their end-of-season holiday in
the area. As of Sunday night, eight of these footballers were
still unaccounted for.

Since the time United States President George W. Bush began
campaigning for war with Iraq, there has been opposition in
Australia to the stance taken by Prime Minister John Howard in
supporting the U.S. Consequently there is a groundswell of
suspicion that the bomb attack targeted Australians.
Indonesianist Greg Fealey, in an interview on ABC television,
admitted that it would be difficult to avoid that perception.

Greens Party leader Bob Brown, in a statement to the media on
Sunday night, reiterated the importance for Australia not to
align itself with the U.S. over its plans for war with Iraq. On
the other hand, while Prime Minister Howard expressed his
sympathy for the victims of the attack, he emphasized yet again
that the war on terror must go on and that the attack in Bali was
further proof of the presence of al-Qaeda in Indonesia.

Even Indonesian scholar Arief Budiman, in an interview with
ABC television news, expressed his concern that the Kuta attack
showed signs that there was al-Qaeda involvement. "Up to now, the
bombs used by terrorists in Indonesia were home-made and
relatively small. But what went off in Kuta last night was very
powerful and very likely professionally made," he said.

Apart from Brown who may have implied it, none of the senior
politicians have so far expressed a belief that Australia may
have been a special target. This has not stopped ordinary
Australians from having that perception, if snippets of
conversation in the streets are any indication. People seemed to
believe that eventually the terrorists would attack Australia
directly. "This time Australians holidaying overseas, next time
Australians in Australia," some of them said.

In a big peace rally in Melbourne on Sunday, speakers reacted
to the news by emphasizing again, the need for Australia to seek
peaceful and diplomatic solutions instead of toeing the U.S. line
on its policy toward Iraq.

Confusion still reigns at present, with holiday-makers
arriving home at the airports distraught and shocked, some having
heard, even seen their friends and loved ones killed or seriously
injured. The next few days may see perceptions and attitudes
forming, which may or may not affect the relationship between
Australia and Indonesia.