The group from Newcastle consisted of about 50 families, including children. They were associated with the Marist St. Francis Xavier High School in Newcastle. The tourists had started to come back to Bali and the island economy was beginning to recover from the previous blast at Kuta that had killed over 200 people, including over 80 Australians.

Already the finger is pointed at the group Jemaah Islamiyah, the Asian link to the Al Quaeda network. The Indonesian police have stated that this seems to be the work of suicide bombers associated with JI, and they have the heads and limbs of three people, indicating that the bombs were strapped to their bodies. There has been confirmation that at least three bombs ripped into diners at three separate locations. The Raja restaurant at Kuta was severely damaged and had the most people injured. The Australians who are amongst the dead were at the seafood restaurant in the other location.

The spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah is currently in prison and he has been quick to disavow the activity. The rather trite statement that a Muslim is further evidence that the Islamofacists continue to hide their real motives from a press corps who are only too willing to believe such statements. Bashir is due to be released from prison in the near future, after his sentence for his involvement in the bombing of the Australian Embassy and the Marriott Hotel was reduced.

These blasts serve as a reminder that despite the arrest of members of JI, the mastermind of the bombers is still at large, and until he is caught South East Asia remains a region where terror can strike at any moment. Gareth Evans, a former member of the Keating Administration had recently claimed that Jemaah Islamiyah was no longer a threat in the region. However, such an attitude comes under the heading of dhimmitude, because Evans is unwilling to assess the real dangers that are posed by the Islamofacists of the South East Asia region.

What was the purpose of the return of terror to an island where there had been peace amongst the people? It is interesting to note the the Balinese are not of Muslim origin. They are Hindu. As such the Balinese are considered to be Infidel, and their refusal to convert to Islam is one possible reason for the deliberate attacks upon the people of Bali. It is now clear that the bombs were not aimed at the tourists but at the Balinese. Bali was just beginning to recover from the October 12 bombings at Kuta and it is more than likely that the latest bombings could spell the end of healthy tourism in the region.

From the Australian point of view, we cannot afford to ignore the continuing existence of JI in our midst. There are terror cells in Australia, and Al Quaeda has made open threats against Australian citizens. We need to take these threats seriously.