Indonesia won't outlaw terror group JI

[allemand]

Indonesia has no plans to outlaw the regional terror network Jemaah Islamiah, a presidential spokesman says, despite earlier claims by a top security official that it was being considered. (...)

Terrorism expert Sidney Jones, who has revealed JI's inner workings for the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, said if Yudhoyono wanted to outlaw the group, he would first need to prepare the ground with a massive public relations campaign in the world's most populous Muslim nation. (...)

"It is doable, but there will be an inevitable counter-response from JI through linked groups like the Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia (Council of Islamic Holy Warriors), who would have their own spin about the government bowing to western pressure."

Indonesian authorities have arrested more than 150 militants in the last three years, but officials are reluctant to link them to JI. Many refuse the acknowledge the group even exists.

More:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Breaking-News/Indonesia-wont-outlaw-terror-group-JI/2005/03/23/1111525214374.html?oneclick=true

Jemaah Islamiah (JI) is the group responsible for the 2002 Bali nightclub bombing which killed 202 people and for several other attacks.

One problem for the Indonesian authorities is that "JI" simply translates as "Islamic Community", and they don't want headlines like "Indonesian government bans Islamic Community" in the world's most populous Muslim country.

[Lori Price CLG]

1. Can we outlaw the terror group GOP? n/t