JAKARTA RESOLUTE IN AFTERMATH OF BOMB BLASTS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 001216 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, CA/OCS, S/CT, CA, DS, DS/IP/EAP, DS/ITA/EAP, DOJ FOR CRIM AAG SWARTZ, DOJ/CTS FOR MULLANEY, FBI FOR ETTUI/SSA ROTH, NCTC WASHDC, NSC FOR J. BADER E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019 TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL ASEC CASC ID SUBJECT: JAKARTA RESOLUTE IN AFTERMATH OF BOMB BLASTS REF: JAKARTA 1211 Classified By: DCM Ted Osius, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Indonesia's National Police immediately launched an investigation into the two July 17 bombings in Jakarta. Based on the types of devices used, the police have linked the blasts to Southeast Asian terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) or Noordin M. Top's JI cell. Despite the attacks, Indonesians are resolutely continuing with their lives and financial markets are taking the attacks in stride. Muslim leaders, including hardliners, publicly condemned the bombings. Mission has accounted for all American citizen guests of both hotels and has offered assistance, as needed and requested, to the Government of Indonesia. Mission has concluded that a new travel warning is not necessary for Indonesia. END SUMMARY. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES ¶2. (SBU) On the morning of July 17, two seemingly coordinated bombs exploded in two adjacent luxury hotels in Jakarta, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the JW Marriott (see reftel). Authorities have confirmed nine deaths, although only five victims have been identified, including three Australians and one New Zealander. The only remaining missing foreigners are a Dutch couple. The Indonesian National Police (INP) have confirmed that the bomb blasts were caused by suicide bombers. The bombing at the JW Marriott killed six people, and the bombing at the Ritz-Carlton killed three people, including the suicide bombers in both locations. ¶3. (SBU) Based on the types of devices used, the INP believe the bombings were a JI or Noordin M. Top operation. Closed circuit television monitors in JW Marriott Hotel showed a man carrying a backpack on his chest and pulling a suitcase walking through the lobby of the hotel moments before the blast. Although the identity of this individual is still unconfirmed, the media has speculated he was Nurdin Aziz, who was checked into room 1808 of the Marriott, where unexploded ordnance was found. Terrorism experts believe Nurdin Aziz was also known as Nur Said or Nur Hasbi, a member of Noordin ¶M. Top's JI splinter group. The second suicide bomber reportedly used an underground tunnel to reach the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. ROLE OF MOBILE BRIGADE AND SPECIAL DETACHMENT-88 ¶4. (SBU) After the attacks, the INP's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) played a strong role in securing the premises of the JW Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton hotels. Brimob and Special Detachment-88, the INP's elite counterterrorism squad, removed the undetonated explosive from room 1808 in the JW Marriott Hotel, where the bombers had allegedly stayed. Special Detachment-88 will have a lead role in investigating the bombings. USG ASSISTANCE ¶5. (S//NOFORN) Although the Government of Indonesia has publicly stated that it does not need assistance with the investigation and is not formally accepting assistance, the Indonesian National Police have discreetly requested assistance from the FBI in enhancing the video surveillance footage from the hotels. FBI agents, who will assist with this request, will arrive in Jakarta on July 25. Additionally, the consular section has provided Legatt with information on the affected American citizens so the FBI may conduct further investigative interviews and offer victims' assistance. (Comment: In light of the events of July 17, counterterrorism information-sharing becomes particularly important. Publicizing FBI assistance will, in Post's view, render it ineffective and endanger the trust we have built with Indonesian law enforcement. End Comment.) AMERICANS CITIZENS SITREP ¶6. (SBU) Mission has accounted for all American citizen guests of the Ritz-Carlton and the JW Marriott, with JAKARTA 00001216 002 OF 003 Washington's assistance on Monday morning to locate the final three who had been unreachable. Consular officers visited the hospital and morgue over the weekend. Contrary to initial reports, six Americans were injured in the blasts, five of whom have been privately evacuated for medical care to Singapore. The consular section issued one emergency passport during special passport service hours on July 18. The consular section will close out its work on the bombings by updating data in the Consolidated Consular Database (CCD) consular task force. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT ¶7. (SBU) Indonesians remain resolute to continue with life as usual in spite of the terrorist attacks. Although security has been heightened across Jakarta, residents continued with their weekend routines, including flooding the shopping malls on the weekend. The impact of the attacks on the Indonesian economy overall will likely be minimal, with the Indonesian currency and stock market showing only a slight decline on Friday, July 17 that had rebounded by Tuesday, July 21. The tourism sector will likely take the greatest hit, given the Australian and Singaporean travel warnings, as well as recent reported hotel cancellations, including that of the British soccer team Manchester United. ¶8. (SBU) The Indonesian online community came together quickly to respond to the July 17 attacks in Jakarta, condemn them, and move on. An on-the-scene Twitter user was the first to report the blasts, and the Marriott used Twitter to communicate with the public about the incident. To invite others to unite against terrorism, one Twitter user created the hash-tag "#indonesiaunite," which became a top-trending topic worldwide. What began as a sign of solidarity, with the motto "We are not afraid," has turned into an effort to continue support for Indonesia, promote tourism, and provide support for local businesses. MUSLIM LEADERS CONDEMN ATTACK ¶9. (SBU) Muslim leaders ranging from moderates to "hardliners" were quick to condemn the attacks. Indonesia's two largest mass Muslim organizations, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)--with over 80 million members together--called the attacks cowardly and urged people not to connect terrorism with religion. The Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI),a semi-governmental body responsible for issuing religious edicts, stressed that no religion teaches violence and that terror is not a valid form of "jihad." The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS),Indonesia,s largest Islamic-based party, issued a press statement which said, "Violence such as this will not bring about positive change for the country but will only give rise to fear and drive investors away...leading to negative effects on the economy, society and security." HARDLINERS ALSO QUICK TO CONDEMN ¶10. (C) Herry Nurdi, Editor-In-Chief of Sabili, Indonesia's most popular hardline magazine which espouses strong anti-western/anti-semitic views, told us that his magazine would issue a condemnation of the attacks as well. "This has a negative impact not only for "hardliners," but for all Muslims. I don,t, and never will, understand the reasoning behind such attacks," he said. (Note: Sabili came under much criticism last month from other hardline groups after it published a book entitled "Critiquing Al Qaeda.") ¶11. (SBU) Abu Bakar Basyir, alleged former spiritual leader of JI, called the perpetrators "enemies of Islam," and said they had caused Muslims to become a scapegoat for terrorist acts. He said there could be possible links to the United States or Islamic individuals resentful of the present secular system of government. Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), one of Indonesia,s most radical Islamist groups espousing strong anti-Western views and calling for a return to a Muslim "caliphate," also condemned the attacks and called on the community to be careful not to rush to the conclusion that the perpetrators were Muslim, as Islam is often blamed for such attacks. JAKARTA 00001216 003 OF 003 MISSION RECOMMENDATION ¶12. (SBU) Mission considers that there is no need for a travel advisory to be issued for Indonesia at this time. In Post's view, the current guidance to remain vigilant, exercise prudence, vary routines, and register at travel.state.gov remains appropriate. Hotels, shopping malls, and the airport have all increased their security after the July 17 attacks. Although Jakarta residents have expressed anger and sadness over the bombings, they remain committed to continuing with life as usual. Mission recommends that we support the Government of Indonesia as requested and encourage planned visits, training, or exchange activities to proceed as scheduled. Mission would in particular welcome a visit by the Attorney General, should his schedule permit. HUME