Homeland Security

DATE=09/02/03

TYPE= CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=INDONESIA BASHIR VERDICT

NUMBER=2-307063

BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN

DATELINE=JAKARTA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: An Indonesian court is expected to hand down a verdict in the treason case against suspected terrorist leader Abu Bakar Bashir. The Islamic cleric is thought to be the spiritual chief of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian terror group linked to al-Qaida. Patricia Nunan has more from Jakarta.

TEXT: At the start of court proceedings Tuesday, Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir appealed to his supporters to remain calm.

/// ACT - BASHIR EST AND FADE ///

He says no matter what happens in court, "we will win, as long as we uphold God's law."

Hundreds of his supporters gathered at the court in Jakarta to hear judges hand down their verdict in Mr. Bashir's trial. He faces up to 15 years in jail on charges he was involved in a series of bombings across Indonesia, and a foiled plot to assassinate Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Mr. Bashir denies the charges. He says he is the victim of a plot by the United States to oppress Muslims.

Mr. Bashir is thought to be the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah. Authorities say the regional terrorist network carried out last year's bombing on the island of Bali that killed more than two hundred people. It is also suspected in a hotel bombing in Jakarta that killed 12 people last month. (Signed)

NEB/HK/PN/KPD