Terrorism, an act of horror

A spate of recent bomb blasts have scared Indonesian people, maimed citizens, claimed hundreds of innocent lives and brought about suffering to the bereaved.

In the meantime, the Indonesian government, particularly the Indonesian police and Army seem to have been unable to protect its innocent, debt-strapped citizens against the acts of terrorism.

It's not wrong to say that Indonesia is weak in performing its duties with regard to security matters so that this country needs assistance from other countries that can give security feelings to its people against protracted terrorist acts in Indonesia.

We do hope that the bomb blasts in Bali and Manado will be the last to happen in Indonesia.

Indonesian citizens and the Muslim people here love peace. Many people have called Indonesia a lair of terrorists. Such statements are not to be disregarded as we have witnessed lots of bomb explosions that have killed our people and foreigners.

Some have speculated the blasts were intended to topple the Megawati administration or to disintegrate this country. We do not give a damn about what lies behind the bombing. What matters is that bombing and killing of people is an act of terror.

Some speculate the bombing is a game that the CIA might be playing. Should it be true, the Agency could be sanctioned and sued by Australia, Germany, France and Sweden whose citizens were killed in Bali on Oct. 12, 2002 for its acts of terrorism.

The CIA will not risk losing its international credibility, but something for sure is that the credibility of the Megawati administration is severely tarnished both at home and abroad.

We do not want our politicians, clergymen and mass organizations to say that Indonesia is no lair for terrorists or has no terrorists.

I did not see as many bombs explode during my visit to Korea, Malaysia and Thailand in October 2002.

We, all members of the Center for Information and Environment Management of Indonesia (PIPLI), would like to express our deepest concern over the bomb blasts in Bali, the one and only island that offers cultural and religious objects in the country.

ILHAMY ELIAS

Center for Indonesian

Environment Information

and Management

Jakarta