ASIA: Attacks vindicate government's caution
By Adam Gartrell, South-East Asia CorrespondentFri Jul 17 19:28:08 EST 2009
JAKARTA, July 17 AAP - Australians who live, work and play in Indonesia have been taught a valuable lesson these past seven days.
While the country has made great strides towards peace and stability in the last half decade, it remains a volatile and dangerous country.
First, Australian miner Drew Grant was shot dead in Papua. That was a salient reminder to Australians that there's a war going on in that restive province.
And now, this.
Australian trade official Craig Senger has been killed in the bombs blasts that have rocked two Jakarta hotels, claiming at least eight lives and injuring more than 40 people on Friday.
The Australian government has been criticised for maintaining its harsh travel warning for Indonesia throughout the past four years, which were attack-free.
The US downgraded its travel warning. Analysts said the terrorism treat was extremely low. Why was Australia persisting with a harsh warning that deterred tourism and bedevilled the bilateral relationship?
Today's events vindicate the government's caution.
Australians in Indonesia, particularly those in Jakarta and Bali, remain at risk.
Australian and Indonesian authorities will now redouble their cooperative efforts to destroy Jemaah Islamiah (JI) and like groups. Their fight against people smuggling will take a backseat, at least for a little while.
The attack has likely been timed to send a message to recently re-elected Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono: We're still here, you haven't destroyed us yet.
Hopefully, it will prove to be a one-off, a relatively small attack by radicals who largely remain weak.
Hopefully, it does not prove to be the opening salvo in a new era of Indonesian terror.
