Bush joins Indonesia in linking al Qaeda to Bali blasts

3.00pm

BALI - Investigators today hunted for clues to the planners of the Bali bomb explosions that both Indonesia and United States President George Bush have linked to al Qaeda.

Bush said in Washington the explosions that killed more than 180 people, mostly foreign tourists, on the resort island on Sunday (NZT) appeared to be part of a new global pattern of attacks which he vowed to stop.

"The attack in Bali appears to be an al Qaeda-type terrorist -- definitely a terrorist attack, whether it's al Qaeda-related or not, I would assume it is," Bush said.

Investigators from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, Australia and Indonesia were working together to find the clues to the blasts on Bali's Kuta beach, a playground for Australians who flock to its beaches for the sun and surf.

A US intelligence official told Reuters the Bali bombings pointed to a "sophisticated" terrorist group because of the large amount of high explosives used and the co-ordinated attacks.

Indonesian and Australian officials said today relatives would find it difficult to identify the bodies quickly as many of them were badly charred.

A New Zealander is believed to be among the dead.

A large number of Indonesians were also killed, many of whom have yet to be identified.

Other nationalities among the dead and more than 300 wounded were Singaporeans, Britons, Americans, Swedes, Swiss and Dutch.

An Australian official said 22 of around 40 bodies identified so far were of Australians. They said around 160 Australians were unaccounted for.

As the US ordered the evacuation of embassy staff from Indonesia and frightened tourists fled Bali, Indonesian officials strove to show they were serious about tackling terrorism.

Police indicated the first breakthrough in an investigation into the blasts by saying they had names of individuals connected to the attacks.

Defence Minister Matori Abdul Djalil, seeking to head off criticism from the United States and Asian neighbours that Jakarta is soft on Islamic militants, drew a connection between al Qaeda and Saturday night's attacks on nightclubs packed with foreigners on Bali's Kuta Beach.

He said the explosions were the work of professionals. That is why, he said, "I am not afraid to say, though many have refused to say, that an al Qaeda network exists in Indonesia".

"I am convinced that there is a domestic link with al Qaeda," he said.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Canberra had information about links between the Bali killings and the al Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden, which Washington blames for the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Frustrated that months of warnings fell on deaf ears, neighbours have piled pressure on Jakarta to finally clamp down on extremists in the world's largest Muslim nation. The United States ordered all non-essential diplomats and all family members -- 300 people in all -- to leave Indonesia.

Bali police spokesman Yatim Suyatmo told Reuters investigators "have names that would lead in some directions to solve this case".

"There are names which are linked (to the explosions) who could give information," he said, without giving any details.

Indonesia's foreign minister underlined an apparent hardening of resolve by telling reporters there was "no doubt" the country faced a terrorist threat.

"This has to be realised by all of us, including our political elites, that the danger is real and potential here," Hassan Wirajuda said after a meeting with foreign ambassadors.

The worst act of terror since September 11, 2001 fanned fears that al Qaeda -- dispersed from Afghanistan after the World Trade Centre attack -- was regrouping.

Predominantly Muslim Malaysia said it would closely watch nightspots popular with Westerners. The Philippines, battling a Muslim insurgency, put its police force on a nationwide alert over fears of further attacks in Southeast Asia.

Diplomats were watching for any moves against the Jemaah Islamiah group. Southeast Asian nations have rounded up scores of its members and warned others have gone to ground in Indonesia.

They identify one key leader as militant Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, who runs a religious school in central Java.

Bashir, who denies links to Jemaah Islamiah or terrorism, said he had heard reports he might be arrested.

Asked for his view of the Bali blast, he said: "It was a brutal act. I condemn such actions." On Sunday, he had blamed the United States for the attack.

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Foreign Affairs advice to New Zealanders

* Travellers should defer travel to Bali

* NZers in Bali should keep a low profile and remain calm

* Foreign Affairs Hotline: 0800 432 111

Feature: Bali bomb blast

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