02 October 2008

BaliÃ¢â¬â¢s smiling assassins vow retribution

JAKARTA Ã¢â¬' In the curious way Indonesian authorities have of letting their convicted terrorists out of jail on religious holidays, the Bali bombers have been able to tell the world that they have no regrets over the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

At the same time, Amrozi - who played a lead role in the bombings - also said he would carry out another bombing if given the chance.

IndonesiaÃ¢â¬â¢s tourism bosses might want to have a word in the ear of prison authorities to tell them that allowing the bombers to preach hate and retribution outside their prison cells does nothing to help tourism to Bali.

There are still many who fear visiting Bali in case they get caught up in another deadly bomb attack. The latest outburst from the Bali bombers will only have increased those fears.

Amrozi threatened retribution Ã¢â¬' and further bombings Ã¢â¬' should he and his two convicted bombers Ã¢â¬'the so-called smiling assassins Ã¢â¬' be executed for their crimes.

His comments coincided with ceremonies to mark the third anniversary of the second Bali bombings in 2005 that killed 20 people.

Amrozi remained defiant this week as he and his co-accused - his brother Mukhlas and Imam Samudra - were allowed out of their cells at their island prison off Central Java to mark the Islamic holiday Eid el Fatr.

Amrozi told journalists at the jail on Nusakambangan Island, "If it's true that later on I will be executed, certainly there will be someone who will take revenge. I don't have to say who will take revenge."

Mukhlas added, "The followers will take revenge actions, other warriors. If anyone kills us then there will be a (sic) revenge from all over the place.Ã¢â¬~

The Indonesian government halted plans for their executions out of respect for the holy Islamic fasting month, but is expected to resume preparations shortly.