Bush Condemns Bali Bombings as US Urges Americans to Leave

14/10/2002| IslamWeb

US President George W. Bush has condemned the bomb attack in Bali that left more than 180 people dead as a "heinous" act of terrorism as the State Department urged Americans to leave Indonesia. US ambassador to Indonesia Ralph Boyce said Sunday that while there were no claims of responsibility for the bombing, early indications pointed to the al-Qaeda terror network.

Bush said in a statement that innocent men and women had been murdered "in a terrorist act designed to create terror and chaos."

"On behalf of the people of the US, I condemn this heinous act, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the murder victims from numerous countries and our wish for the swift and complete recovery of those injured in this attack," Bush added.

Indonesian authorities said at least 187 people were killed and another 309 injured in the explosion near a Bali bar, believed to have been caused by a car bomb.

A State Department official said two Americans were killed and three were injured in the blasts.

At least 13 Australians were killed and 220 remained unaccounted for.

Later in the day, Bush called Australian Prime Minister John Howard to express his condolences and offer humanitarian assistance.

"The two leaders said they are more resolved than ever to continue their efforts to fight terror, and the two leaders said both countries would work with the government of Indonesia to see that those responsible for this terrorist act would face justice," White House spokesman Jimmy Orr told reporters.

In his statement, Bush said "the world must confront this global menace -- terrorism. We must together challenge and defeat the idea that the wanton killing of innocents advances any cause or supports any aspirations. And we must call this despicable act by its rightful name -- murder."

Bush offered to help Indonesia "bring these murderers to justice." A Federal Bureau of Investigation team was on the way to Bali.

Meanwhile, the State Department urged all US citizens in Indonesia to leave the country or defer travel there -- and ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel.

"The bombing of a nightclub and another in the vicinity of our consular agency in Bali, Indonesia, along with the current security situation within Indonesia puts US citizens and US interests at risk," said a travel warning issued by the department.

PHOTO CAPTION

Armed Indonesian police walk past a wreath placed on a destroyed car at the scene of a bomb blast in Kuta on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, Oct. 14, 2002. Balinese laid the wreath in a ceremony for the approximately 183 people who died in the Saturday night car bombing outside a crowded night spot. (Jonathan Drake/Reuters)