GOI EXECUTES BALI BOMBERS; POLICE REPORT SITUATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002068 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, CA/OCS, S/CT, CA, DS INL FOR BARCLAY/ROESS/BUHLER/CARLON DOJ FOR CRIM AAG SWARTZ, DOJ/OPDAT FOR LEHMANN/ALEXANDRE/BERMAN DOJ/CTS FOR MULLANEY, ST HILAIRE FBI FOR ETTUI/SSA ROTH NCTC WASHDC NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PTER ASEC CASC ID AS SUBJECT: GOI EXECUTES BALI BOMBERS; POLICE REPORT SITUATION CALM REF: A. JAKARTA (S.HARSHA) - OPS CENTER 11/09/2008 TELECONS ¶B. JAKARTA 2029 AND PREVIOUS JAKARTA 00002068 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate General Surabaya. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: The GOI has executed the three Bali bombers. The police report that the situation is calm, thus far. Mission has sent out a Warden message. Press guidance is attached in para seven. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (U) The Indonesian government executed the three Bali bombers just after midnight on November 9 (local). The executions--which took place by firing squad--took place at the island prison of Nusa Kambangan located just off of central Java. The three self-confessed terrorists--Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Ali Gufron (a.k.a. "Muklas")--had been convicted and sentenced to death for their roles in the October 2002 bombings in Bali in eastern Indonesia which killed over 200 people. The bodies of the three have reportedly been returned to their home areas in East Java (Amrozi and Ali Gufron) and the Banten region near Jakarta (Imam Samudra) for burial which must take place--per Muslim custom--roughly 24 hours after death. ¶4. (U) The Indonesian police have told RSO that the situation is quiet. There continue to be concerns that small extremist groups might try to use the occasion to take to the streets and cause problems. The Indonesian government is strongly aware of this and has deployed extra police in certain parts of the country. RSO and staff are keeping in close touch with the police on the situation across the country. ¶5. (U) A contact in the President's Office told Pol/C that the situation was quiet and that the GOI did not foresee "any problems because the vast majority of Indonesians strongly condemn terrorism." An Australian Embassy contact told poloff that the GOA is "monitoring the situation closely" but had no reports of incidents or unrest. The GOA reissued its travel advisory on Indonesia and FM Stephen Smith issued a statement expressing support for the families of the bombing victims. ¶6. (U) Mission sent out a Warden message right after the executions briefing AmCits about the situation and urging them to take sensible precautions. The Warden message is on Mission's website. ¶7. (U) Mission is using the attached press guidance: Begin text: Indonesia: Bali Bombers Execution Q: What is your reaction to the execution of the Bali bombers? ¶A. -- The Indonesian judicial system has convicted Amrozi bin Nurhasyim (pron: Ahm-roh-zee Bin Nor-Hah-Sheem),Ali Gufron (pron: Ah-lee Goo-Frohn),and Imam Samudra (pron: Ee-mam Sah-mood-rah) for their roles in the October 12, 2002, JAKARTA 00002068 002.2 OF 002 terrorist attacks in Bali, which caused the death of 202 people, including seven Americans. -- This is an issue decided by the Indonesian judicial system and the Government of Indonesia dealt with this in accordance with its laws. -- The Indonesian people and government are firmly against terrorism and have demonstrated their commitment to this through their consistent and serious response in apprehending and prosecuting terrorists and members of terrorist networks. End text. HUME