Article

2004-09-15 Southeast Asia

Indonesian presidential candidates pledge to crack down on terrorism

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Posted by Dan Darling 2004-09-15 1:48:46 AM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 They have the largest Muslim population inthe world. Routine attacks on Christian and Hindi minorities. Over 6000 islands, atolls and other less glamorous hunks of rocks (half of which are unpopulated). Obviously, they have a well entrenched group of Islamicfascists (JI) running around loose.

Yeah sure, they'll be effective against the terrorists. They've done such a good job so far.

Posted by Douglas De Bono 2004-09-15 9:19:20 AM|| [http://www.douglasdebono.com] 2004-09-15 9:19:20 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Thanks for the post, Dan.

Not many understand island politics. As cingold has pointed out previously, Indonesian âIslamâ is greatly overshadowed (and I think eclipsed) by âisland traditionsâ having to do with their culture and the influence of animism and Hinduism. The Indonesian population doesnât like the Arab-oriented moslems--considering their superior attitudes, their personal arrogance, and their violent aims something to be avoided.

"Indonesiaâs presidential candidates pledged to get tough on terrorism as official campaigning began for the countryâs first direct leadership polls . . ."

Indonesia is a fledgling democracy, and despite the fact that they are populated by Moslems, the fact that ex-general and former security minister, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (who is campaigning on an antiterrorism platform) is leading the polls is quite significant.

Also, the fact that âboth candidates also covered the key issues of economic growth and alleviating poverty and broached the thorny subject of corruption, a major disincentive to vital foreign investment in Indonesiaâ is also significant. The Indonesians want to be on our side, and we should want them on our side, if we're smart.

Iâm pretty confident the Indonesians will give the terrorists the boot. It wonât be easy finding all of them, but they will. And it wonât be pretty. Itâs an island thing.

Posted by ex-lib 2004-09-15 4:24:25 PM|| 2004-09-15 4:24:25 PM|| Front Page Top

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