*EPF404 09/09/2004
Text: U.S. Condemns Bombing of Australian Embassy in Indonesia
("Horrific act" strengthens resolve to fight terrorism) (480)

The United State government condemns the bombing of the Australian embassy in Indonesia and says this latest violence will only strengthen resolve to fight international terrorism.

The White House issued a statement September 9 conveying President Bush's "deepest sympathy" on behalf of the American people to the families of the victims and his solidarity with the governments of Indonesia and Australia in fighting the global war against terrorism.

In a statement released the same day, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the bombing in Bali, Indonesia, two years ago resulted in Indonesia and Australia taking "a courageous, principled, and steadfast approach to combating the scourge of terrorism." He added that there is "no doubt" the two nations will bring the perpetrators of this latest "horrific act" to justice.

According to news reports, a car bomb exploded outside the gates of the Australian embassy in Jakarta around 10 a.m. on September 9. Nine people were killed; most were policemen, embassy security guards and passers-by. Some 160 people are reportedly injured.

Press reports say Indonesian police are blaming Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian terror network rumored to be linked with al-Qaida. Jemaah Islamiyah is held responsible for the 2002 attack on a Bali nightclub that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

Following is the State Department press statement:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Colmar, Pennsylvania)
September 9, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The President conveys his deepest sympathy on behalf of the American people to the families of the victims of the terrorist bombing in front of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is yet another attack against civilized people everywhere. We condemn this outrageous act. The President reaffirms our solidarity with the Governments of Indonesia and Australia in fighting the global war against terrorism.

(end White House statement)

(begin State Department statement)

Press Statement
Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 9, 2004

Indonesia: Bombing of Australian Embassy

The United States strongly condemns this deplorable act of violence and terror.

We express our deep condolences to the victims and families of this horrible crime as well as to the peoples of Indonesia and Australia.

We stand ready to assist the governments of Indonesia and Australia in any way we can.

The attack this morning, coming as both countries are engaged in democratic elections, only strengthens our resolve to fight all forms of international terrorism. We recall that the Bali bombing of two years ago inflicted a terrible tragedy on innocent Indonesians and Australians. Since that time the governments of these two nations have taken -- together and separately -- a courageous, principled, and steadfast approach to combating the scourge of terrorism. We salute what they have done and no doubt will do to bring the perpetrators of this latest horrific act to justice.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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