Bali: is this a contributory factor?
Bali was regarded as the most peaceful part of Indonesia where there was room for intergovernmental conferences. Are these, at least in part, a reason for the selection of the island as a terrorist target?
A month before the Bali bombing, the Australian and Indonesian governments announced an initiative to help the Indonesia counter money laundering and terrorist financing. To bring the various issues together, they announced that they would hold a conference in December 2002. The high level conference would deal with, amongst other things, the problems that Indonesia has in dealing with the diverse and violent groups in the country.
The conference was to be held in Bali. There is no doubt that the conference will go ahead, perhaps even being brought forward. But whether it is held in Bali remains to be seen.
Bali was the venue for a meeting between Indonesia and Australia in February when the two countries were trying to resolve issues of illegal migration from Indonesia to Australia. It is common ground that Bali is favourite departure point. Australia has been heavily criticised for its treatment of illegal migrants - but its harsh policies of remote camps and deportation, coupled with refusal to accept migrants arriving by the ship load have reportedly significantly reduced the number attempting illegal entry. But Indonesia dislikes Australia's attitude as much, if not more, than it likes the Malaysian approach (see Bali: The Aftermath - 14th Oct 2002). Indonesians were not happy with the Australian suggestion that it is as much for a country to police its borders against those leaving than it is for a country to police against those arriving.
If these issues have prompted an attack, and if the attack was directed at Australians not just at a tourist spot, then other countries that are taking a strong stand against Indonesian migration must be aware that their nationals are now also at risk, even outside their own country.
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