Military

DATE=11/16/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=5-52588

TITLE=BALI INVESTIGATION

BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN

DATELINE=BALI

CONTENT=

INTRO: Indonesia's chief investigator into the deadly Bombing on the

Indonesian resort island of Bali says it is too soon to tell whether the

top suspect in the case is linked to a regional or international

terrorist network. General Made Pastika spoke with reporters briefly as

the Balinese held a series of religious ceremonies to remember

those who died in the October 12th blast. Patricia Nunan reports.

TEXT: Chief investigator Police General Made Pastika says the inquiry

into the bombing is moving along - but it is going to take time.

//// ACT PASTIKA 1 ///

People always asking me, if there is a connection between the Bali

bombing and the al-Qaida, with the J-I - Jemaah Islamiyah - with Abu

Bakar Bashir, with other big people or big picture. But I start and I

build the investigation from the crime scene, from the evidence we

gather, from the witnesses that we found near the crime-scene, or around

the crime-scene.

/// END ACT ///

At least 180 people died and hundreds more were injured when a van

filled with 50 kilograms of explosives was detonated on a street lined

with restaurants and bars in Bali's Kuta tourist district.

Suspicion, especially by Western governments and Indonesia's neighbors,

immediately fell on the regional militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, or

J-I - which those governments say is linked to al-Qaida. The group, which is also now on the U-S governments terrorist list, was formed to establish a pan-Islamic state across Southeast Asia. J-I's alleged leader is an Indonesian Muslim cleric named Abu Bakar Bashir.

But so far General Pastika says, police have not found a link between

the bombing and a larger terrorist network.

/// ACT PASTIKA 2 ///

Because if I say that there is a connection between this Bali bombing

and al-Qaida - then the next question is what is the evidence? I cannot

tell you the evidence up to now, we are still working on it.

//// END ACT ///

Investigators have arrested a 30-year-old Indonesian mechanic named

Amrozi, who they say has confessed to owning the van that was used in

the bombing.

Earlier this week, Australian politicians and news media and politicians

expressed outrage after seeing a televised interrogation of Mr.

Amrozi. The suspect was seen smiling throughout what appeared to be a

very friendly round of questioning. Police also removed his handcuffs -

allowing Mr. Amrozi gave a lighthearted wave to journalists.

The interrogation sparked further anger when Mr. Amrozi apologized to

his family for his arrest - but did not apologize to the families of the

victims killed in the blast. One Australian called the scene "just

horrific."

General Pastika defended the subordinate who carried out the

interrogation - who he says was being sensitive to the Indonesian

public's concerns for a high-profile suspect during the Islamic holy

month of Ramadan.

/// ACT PASTIKA 3 ///

Amrozi now is fasting. He's a Muslim and he's fasting. So we have to

also respect his beliefs in this time. This is a very sensitive thing in

Indonesia. So if our Indonesian people see that Amrozi was not treated

as a human being - then they will be also a very big reaction. We

understand the feelings of the relatives and the victims in Australia.

We also have also our victims in Indonesia.

///// END ACT ///

General Pastika says that Mr. Amrozi has supplied the authorities with a

great deal of useful information - and they are now looking for new

suspects, including Mr. Amrozi's two brothers. But he said the suspect

makes light of the fact that he is still withholding information.

//// ACT PASTIKA 4 ///

(Question heard on tape???): How much is Amrozi telling you?

(Pastika answer): Full answers. But he said to me that if he knows 100

then he lets me know only 60, for the moment.

//// END ACT ///

General Pastika admits that Mr. Amrozi's relaxed style with

investigators has kept them entertained.

//// ACT - PASTIKA 5 ///

At the end of the conversation, you know what he said, make us laughing?

"Is it no matter if I a little bit lying to you?" he said. That's him!

//// END ACT ///

The general says the police are now hoping to arrest several more

suspects, including Imam Samudra, Mukhlas and Dul Matin - who they say

could be linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah group. Mukhlas has been

identified as one of Mr. Amrozi's brothers. (Signed)

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