Hundreds remember Bali dead
2005-10-12 10:56
Bali - Survivors and relatives of those killed in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings gathered at the site of the attacks on Wednesday to remember the 202 people killed and to send a defiant message to the al-Qaeda linked terrorists who allegedly carried them out.
Security was tight across the Indonesian resort island, where just 11 days ago suspected Islamic militants carried out a second series of attacks on crowded restaurants, killing 23 people, including the three suicide bombers.
Snipers were deployed on buildings and thousands of police were stationed at beaches, resorts and lanes leading to the ceremony at the heart of the island's famous Kuta tourist district.
Around 200 people - many of them tourists dressed in shorts, flip-flops and baseball caps - turned out for the early morning service next to a granite memorial stone engraved with the names of the 202 people who died in the October 12 attacks.
Heavy hearts
Among those attending was Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, whose nation lost 88 citizens in the bombings. Four Australians were also among the victims in this month's blasts.
"I know the passing of three years ... does not make gathering here any easier for many of you - and our hearts are all the heavier following the heinous attacks of just over a week ago," he said.
But it is important to take a determined stance against terrorists, he said, noting that Australia has been working with Indonesian law enforcement agencies to hunt down the perpetrators of violence.
Those attending the service observed 202 seconds of silence in memory of the victims and bowed their heads as an Australian man who lost his son in the attack read out a prayer. They then filed past the memorial, laying wreaths or dropping petals in the pond in front of it.
"It is important to keep remembering those we lost," said Australian Natalie Juniardi, whose husband John was killed in the blasts.
Many of those present brushed off warnings by foreign governments that tourists should stay away from Indonesia because more terrorist attacks were likely, and said that this month's strikes made them more determined to come.
The regional al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah is accused in the 2002 blasts and those this month, as well as two other deadly strikes in the world's most populous Muslim nation in the last two years.
Before the 2002 bombings, the largely Hindu island enjoyed a reputation for peace and tranquility, an exception in the world's most populous Muslim country, which for years has been wracked by ethnic and separatist violence.
Most of the victims were young backpackers, but also included grandparents, businessmen and rugby players in town for a tournament.
The 2002 Bali bombers have said they were seeking to avenge the United States government's support for Israel and its attacks on Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq. Indonesia lost 38 citizens. Seven Americans were killed.
Courts on Bali have sentenced 35 militants over the blasts, three of whom were given the death penalty. More than 100 other extremists with suspected links to Jemaah Islamiyah have either been convicted or are awaiting trial.
- AP