Scores die in terror blast
Posted on 10/13/2002 5:35:44 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
Scores die in terror blast
Attack on Indonesian island of Bali may have been aimed at U.S.
10/13/2002
JAKARTA, Indonesia - A powerful car bomb detonated in front of a discotheque on the Indonesian resort island of Bali late Saturday, killing at least 182 people in what officials said was the worst act of terrorism in Indonesia's history.
The bomb injured about 300 others and sparked a devastating inferno. Authorities said a second bomb exploded near the island's U.S. consular office.
The nightclub where the car was parked, the Sari, and an adjacent one engulfed by the flames, were popular with foreigners. Western officials said Americans and Australians were presumed among the dead. British officials said at least five Britons were injured.
 At least 182 people were killed in the car bomb explosion at a Bali nightclub on Saturday. Officials say the Sari club may have been targeted because it was popular with foreigners. A second bomb exploded near the island's U.S. consular office, but no deaths were reported. (AP) |
Members of a soccer team from Perth, Australia, were at the club, Australian officials said.
"The place was packed, and it went up within a millisecond," Simon Quayle, the team's coach told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio. He said eight of his 19 players were missing.
Australian Rachel Hughes, said she and her boyfriend had just arrived in the island town of Kuta when the blast occurred, smashing the window of their hotel room.
"Standing in the foyer of the Bounty Hotel, people were just walking in, blood dripping off them, burns to their face, skin coming off them. It was really a terrible sight," she said. "You could just hear people crying up in the Bounty foyer - obviously they have lost loved ones or friends."
The explosion went off about 11 p.m. The second explosive detonated a few minutes later in the nearby city of Denpasar, Bali's capital, about 300 feet from a U.S. consular office, said Lt. Col. Yatim Suyatno, a police spokesman. Police said there were no casualties in that blast.
Bloodied and mangled bodies were being removed from the carnage into the early-morning hours, and fear gripped the serene island, where Hindus and Muslims have lived in harmony.
The injured were being treated in hospitals and clinics, said officials at Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar, 600 miles east of Jakarta.
"We are getting new bodies all the time," said a doctor at Sanglah Hospital who declined to be identified.
Islamic group suspected
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No group took responsibility, but suspicions immediately fell on a radical Islamic organization based in Indonesia, Jemaah Islamiyah. The group and its leader have been linked to plots against Americans by an operative of al-Qaeda who was seized in Indonesia and turned over to the CIA several months ago.
American officials described the bombings as terrorist acts and said they appeared to have been aimed at the United States. An FBI team was en route to the bombing sites, a senior American official said Saturday night.
White House spokeswoman Jeanie Mamo said Washington was monitoring the situation and working with Indonesian authorities.
"This is the worst act of terror in Indonesia's history," said Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, the national police chief. "We have to be more alert for other acts of terror."
Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also blamed the blasts on terrorism.
He said he believed the Sari nightclub was targeted because it was popular with Australians and other foreigners.
Australian air carrier Qantas scheduled two extra flights to evacuate survivors, and an Australian air force Hercules C-130 set off for Bali from Richmond near Sydney.
The flights were not expected back in Australia until early Monday.
The blasts, occurring on the second anniversary of the al-Qaeda linked attack against the USS Cole off Yemen that left 17 sailors dead, come amid increasing fears by the United States and others that Indonesia is becoming a haven for terrorists and that al-Qaeda operatives are active there.
Indonesian officials have denied the claims, but the U.S. Embassy in the national capital of Jakarta closed Sept. 10 and remained shut for six days because of what U.S. officials said were threats possibly linked to al-Qaeda. Americans traveling in central Java were warned to be vigilant.
Days later, a hand grenade exploded in a car near a house belonging to the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, killing one man.
There was conflicting information as to whether the device was meant to harm Americans.
Singapore has been pressing Indonesia to arrest Jemaah Islamiyah's alleged leader, Abu Bakar Bashir, who lives in Indonesia.
But Indonesian officials say they that they do not have any evidence against him.
Far-reaching effects
Saturday's bombings are certain to have consequences far greater than the immediate death and destruction.
In a country reeling economically, tourism on the legendary island of Bali is certain to suffer, and foreign investors may stay away.
The government of President Megawati Sukarnoputri also may have been a target of the attack, much as Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has been a secondary target of terrorist attacks in his country.
Indonesian attitudes and American-Indonesian relations in the context of the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, also may be shaken by the attack.
"If anything is needed to convince Indonesians that they have terrorism on their doorstep, this is it," Sidney Jones, director of the International Crises Group in Indonesia and an expert of Jemaah Islamiyah, said in Jakarta.
The New York Times and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
One has to wonder if the Europeans will now decide to join the war on terror or hand over the keys to the "religion of peace" in their midst.
Indonesia? Isn't that the home of Riady, the original big money backer of X42?
Clinton sold out Utah coal for Indonesian coal and Dems. block drilling in Alaska and off of Ca. coast. Keeping us dependent on our Islamic "friends".
Great headline. They only missed by about 12,000 miles.
Bali was predominately Hindu at any rate.
Turkey is an Islamic country. I would heavily reccommend it as a vacation destination. Something important to think about- the worst terrorist atrocity ever seen occurred not in a Muslim nation but in the USA. You're not safe anywhere and never were. Probably one of the most dangerous places you could be is in the USA since this is where the terrorists want to strike. If they use an NBC attack you can bet it will be in our nation. I also wouldn't feel safe in London.
Attack on Indonesian island of Bali may have been aimed at U.S.Well, the media is often guilty of bias, but regarding terrorism, our embassies, etc. are often targets...Great headline. They only missed by about 12,000 miles.
The bomb injured about 300 others and sparked a devastating inferno. Authorities said a second bomb exploded near the island's U.S. consular office.
At least 182 people were killed in the car bomb explosion at a Bali nightclub on Saturday. Officials say the Sari club may have been targeted because it was popular with foreigners. A second bomb exploded near the island's U.S. consular office, but no deaths were reported.
(AP)
I am sure all the dead in Bali never thought twice about it either. I bet their realitives wish they had.
The terrorists say they want to destroy America and Americans. Hmmmm. I would hesitate to travel to America if I were worried about terrorism. I do worry about terrorism BTW. I give it consideration when I travel. For example, while I would've loved to have gone to Pakistan in June 2001, nothing could persuade me to do so now- I would sooner go to Afghanistan. Iran, Iraq, Saudi, Kuwait, Syria- Nope- wouldn't touch 'em with a stick. I would however, go to Israel, Egypt, Turkey, UAE, Maldives (am planning to do that anyway), Zanzibar.
There are worse things than dying. I would rather be dead than live a sheltered life just to save my skin. I like doing dangerous things for hobbies. I've travelled around the world a fair bit, I've been in some hairy situations and I trust my judgement. You're still more likely to get wasted walking around Jo'burg in the middle of the night than by going to Egypt.
But the bottom line is- you are definitely NOT safe anywhere. If you think you're safe and sound where you are, you are simply kidding yourself.
Oh my lord...
We pulled into Perth for a 8 day port visit in 1988...the Aussies in Perth lined the entrance to the harbor and were holding HUNDREDS of American flags and signs...
I also met a few rugby and soccer club team members at local pubs (and I was NOT allowed to pay for any of my drinks, by the way)....
I thank all of you for supporting us, and know that we support you...
Nope. I have another 280 million targets with me all the time in the US. Chances I will be one of the unlucky in a terror attack are slim and none. In most of the rest of the world thats not the case. Americans are fewer in number but still present the favorite target. In a country like Indonesia being an American is like walking around with a note saying "kick me I'm stupid" taped to the back of your shirt.
While I don't live my life in fear, apparently I don't share your love of Islamic countries. I am a bit of a hedonist so I prefer to visit places where the fun quotient is rather higher and the poverty quotient lower than in most Islamic countries. It is no hardship for me to skip them. Yes I am sure there are many fun Islamic resorts in culturally facinating Islamic countries but that is no thanks to Islam. At any rate I have had my fill of Islamic culture. If I never hear of it again it will be too soon.
". I do worry about terrorism BTW. I give it consideration when I travel. "
I don't. Islamic countries don't interest me. I expect that most Americans felt the same way about visiting the Soviet Union during the cold war. Now that the cold war is over I wouldn't mind visiting Russia. I guess the difference between you and me is one of us likes to hang out with the enemy and one of us doesn't. To each his own.
"You're still more likely to get wasted walking around Jo'burg in the middle of the night than by going to Egypt. "
Both of which sound like stupid things which have the added bonus of not being much fun. Note to self. No matter how much he begs, do not go on vacation with Prodigal;-)
I'm sorry, you are apparantly responding to the wrong person- I never said this.
Turkey is one of our best allies- yes or no? We are not at war with them in any way, shape or form. Going to Turkey certainly is not hanging out with the enemy. It is also a very nice place to visit- particularly if you are interested in Ancient Rome. What's wrong with Turkey?
Then let's get on to Egypt. If I want to go and see the Pyramids- how is this hanging out with the enemy? If I want to go and dive in the Red Sea- and it is one of the premiere dive sites in the world- what's bad about this? I can literally have fun anywhere. I even managed to have fun in Bosnia. I can well imagine I would have fun in Egypt.
I didn't like the resorts on the Maldives that much. Overpriced for what you get. I found a replica of a Spanish Galleon liveaboard- purportedly a replica of one of Columbus' ships. They take you right to the best dive spots. It was a big boat, 11 crew and my wife and I. Prima. First Class Food, some of the best diving in the world (if not the best) and plenty of sun and relaxation and really nice people. Free booze too- although I don't drink. It's hard to categorize whether or not the Maldivans are living in poverty. On the one hand, they're poor monetarily. On the other, hell- they're living on a tropical island- what do they actually need?
I'm definitely going back.
As far as Jo'burg- I lived there. While Jo'burg itself wasn't that great- the rest of South Africa was great. I had MUCH fun there and would gladly go back- it's just like any American city- you've got to keep your eyes open and don't venture into the wrong places.
I don't go venturing into war zones (unless ordered to do so). I enjoyed Zimbabwe back when I went (and at the time it was much safer than South Africa) but I would not go there today. Mozambique was considered dodgy by many South Africans but I had a really memorable trip there.
But my point still remains- there is nowhere on this Earth that is safe. I would consider the US the number one target for a terrorist nuke or bio weapon. This is what the terrorists hope to accomplish. Would I let this stop me from visiting the States? No, certainly not. It's all a calculated risk- everywhere you go, everything you do. Take a plane, a car, a motorcycle a general anesthetic- you're placing yourself in more jeopardy than not doing those things. Danger is always with us. That we thought we were immune to attack was a really stupid illusion. In a way, it is perhaps better that this illusion has been shattered- although I wish this could have been done without the loss of 3,000 lives.
Look at it this way- the American West would never have been settled if people were as averse to risk as they are now. There were wild stone age savages out there- throat cutters, scalpers, rapers and enslavers of women. Going out West back then must have seemed like sheer idiocy to some of the cultured sheep in Philly and New York. Yet there are always some people with an adventurous spirit and the will to see a tough situation through. I would like to think I would have been among those settlers back then.
One last thing- I take serious issue with your allegations that I am hanging out with the enemy. I served my country for 8 yrs and I am proud to be an American. If you had said that to my face I guarantee you would have regretted it soon afterwards and you would not have said it to me again. What you are suggesting is that I am somehow traitorous and I find this EXTREMELY offensive and SLANDEROUS. It is the worst insult you can level at someone and you have absolutely no reason to do so with me. We are at war with none of the countries I mentioned. There are terrorists everywhere- where are you going to go to get away from them? There is no western nation that does not have terrorists living within its borders. The enemy is among us.
Bali, a Hindu island in a Muslim country, was supposed to be the "exception" in Indonesia, but all that's changed now.
I went to Club Med there in early 2001. It was a lot of fun, and two Aussie women I met showed me around the island. Ah, those were the days. Anyways, Australians have been going to Bali for decades, you may as well try to keep Americans from going to Mexico. Aussies have still gone there, despite problems in the rest of Indonesia, because the tourist industry has gone through the trouble of building a lot of expensive resorts! They constantly run ads for Bali on TV, etc.
I have to say, when I was in Bali in early 2001, I did see a lot of poverty.
I remember one young Indonesian man in particular trying to sell me a tourist trinket, he was looking at me so intensely, he seemed to be saying "buy this, or I'll starve, and I'm a step away from robbing you anyway."
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