NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

The Latest Attacks "Make It Clear That Extremists Remain Committed

By Stephen Kaufman  

Washington - President Obama and other U.S. officials strongly condemned attacks on two hotels in Jakarta and told Indonesian authorities that the United States is ready to help in their response and recovery.

In a July 17 statement, the president extended condolences to the victims and their loved ones and said Americans "stand by the Indonesian people in this difficult time."

News reports out of Jakarta say two suicide bombers attacked the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott hotels, killing at least nine people including the attackers and injuring at least 150. No group has yet claimed credit for the attack.

In his statement, President Obama said Indonesia has been steadfast in its efforts against violent extremism and successful in reducing terrorist activities inside the country. A previous attack occurred in 2002 when the group Jemaah Islamiyah carried out bombings against nightclubs in Bali that killed more than 200 people.

The latest attacks "make it clear that extremists remain committed to murdering innocent men, women and children of any faith in all countries," Obama said. "We will continue to partner with Indonesia to eliminate the threat from these violent extremists, and we will be unwavering in supporting a future of security and opportunity for the Indonesian people."

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton issued a statement en route to India that condemned the attacks as "senseless acts of violence," and expressed sympathy as well as a willingness to provide assistance to the Indonesian government.

"The attacks reflect the viciousness of violent extremists, and remind us that the threat of terrorism remains very real," Clinton said. "We have no higher priority than confronting this threat along with other countries that share our commitment to a more peaceful and prosperous future."

Deputy State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters July 17 that the Indonesian government has not yet made any requests for U.S. assistance but has expressed appreciation for the offer.

"Whatever kind of request that we get, whether it be with the investigation, providing forensic type of assistance, we will certainly take a look at that request and provide whatever we can," he said.

The deputy spokesman described Indonesia as an important democracy and member of the global community that "has made an awful a lot of progress over the last several years," and said the incident "in no way impacts our view of Indonesia." He also said that he has "no reason to believe that ... extremists are on the rise in the region."

The attacks were committed by individuals who do not want to see Indonesia succeed. "They want to see democracy disappear from Indonesia," he said.

Wood called for international cooperation to make it difficult for these types of attacks to be carried out, but said that "undoubtedly" more will occur in the future.

"In democracies, unfortunately, these things happen. And that's why it's incumbent on all of us to cooperate very closely in trying to deal with this scourge," he said.

What foreign affairs decisions should President Obama consider? Comment on America.gov's blog ( http://blogs.america.gov/campaign/2009/01/21/day-2-what-should-obama%e2%80%99s-top-priorities-be/ ).

(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)