Jihadist terrorists strike again in Bali
Martin Lehmann - 3 October 2005
In a remarkably prescient article, my colleague posted
her report just
five hours before the latest terrorist atrocity in Bali. This latest attack may
just be the last straw for the Bali tourism industry. If so, the jihadists
will have achieved part of their aim of destabilising the Indonesian economy,
with their ultimate aim in the region of capturing the world's most populous Muslim
country.
I feel strongly for the plight of ordinary Balinese who are a different racial and
religious group to the Javanese Muslims who control Indonesia.
Rather than abandoning the Balinese to their fate, all Western countries
which have significant numbers of tourists visiting Bali could give aid to set up
alternative industries in Bali. Whilst thwarting the jihadists, the emergence of
non-tourist industries would be of immense long-term benefit to the Balinese.
Australia for a start could immediately divert the $190 million
in foreign aid that it
plans to give to the militaristic Chinese dictatorship over the next five years. Why
taxpayers funds are lavished on the world's largest dictatorship is beyond me.
China's economy dwarfs that of Australia. China is spending billions on
the rapid build-up of its army and weaponry. It is only a matter of time
before it invades the independent democracy of Taiwan.
Australian taxpayers money would be far better spent on rescuing the
Balinese from poverty and misery.
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