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Australian FM Heads to Indonesia on JI Ban

Posted on: Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 09:00 CDT

Australian FM heads to Indonesia on JI ban

CANBERRA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister heads to Indonesia Tuesday to persuade the Indonesian authorities to ban Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), thought to be behind the latest Bali bombings.

Downer's travel plan came amid pressure on the Australian government to convince Indonesia to outlaw the regional terrorist network, which is behind the bombings on the Indonesian resort island of Bali in 2002 which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

In the latest bomb blasts on Oct. 1, four Australians were among more than 20 people who were killed.

During the three-day visit, Downer will visit Bali for the third commemoration of the 2002 Bali bombings on 12 October, which will also be an occasion to mourn those who died and pray for the recovery of those who were injured in the latest bombings.

"My visit to Jakarta will be a timely opportunity to meet with key ministers to discuss a range of counter-terrorism issues including closer cooperation in the wake of the recent bombings," Downer said in a statement Tuesday.

"I will urge the government to take all measures possible to constrain Jemaah Islamiyah and their fellow travelers, including proscribing terrorist groups and strengthening Indonesia's terrorism law," he said.

Downer will also express Australia's concern about Indonesia's earlier decision to reduce the sentence of Muslim leader Abu Bakar Bashir for his role in instigating the 2002 Bali bombings.

The Indonesian authorities made the decision last August as part of the regular prisoner remission program marking the 60th anniversary of the country's Independence.

Meanwhile, Downer will discuss with his ministerial counterparts next steps in combating the threat of avian influenza.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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