UNSC condemns suicide attacks in Bali

A tourist walks past the bomb blast site in Jimbaran, on Bali island yesterday, four days after a series of suicide bomb attacks shocked the resort island killing at least 19 people last Saturday. Indonesia's police force has gone on top alert nationwide as part of efforts to track down the culprits behind the weekend bomb blasts on the resort island of Bali. PHOTO: AFP

In a unanimous statement, the 15-member Council stressed the need to bring the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of the blast to justice, and urged all States to provide support and assistance to the Indonesian Government.

The statement also said that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constituted one of the "most serious threats" to international peace and security and that "any act of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed."

It also restated the Council's determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities for peace and security under the United Nations Charter.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer will travel to Indonesia to lobby the government to ban the extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) following the latest Bali attacks, Canberra announced on Wednesday.

Prime Minister John Howard said in a series of radio interviews that by taking a stand against the organisation, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would send a reassuring signal to moderate Indonesians.

JI was blamed for the first Bali attack in 2002 which killed 202 people including 88 Australians, and the group's alleged religious leader Abu Bakar Bashir was jailed for conspiracy over the bombing, but no action was taken to outlaw the shadowy organisation.

JI is also suspected of being responsible for Saturday's bombings in Bali, which left at least 19 dead, including as many as four Australians -- sparking fresh calls here for the group to be banned.

But Howard suggested that Australia would adopt a cautious attitude.

"What will happen is that Mr Downer will be going to Indonesia soon," Howard said. "He will indicate when, and he and I are going to work out the most appropriate way to push it.

"But can I just make this point again: we are having a debate, a discussion, about the laws of another country."

Howard said Australia could not force Indonesia to change its laws, adding that in any case he did not believe outlawing JI would drastically change the situation.

"It is not the be all and end all of tackling terrorism in Indonesia and if it remains as it is or if it is banned in practical terms it's not going to make an enormous difference.