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CNN Live Today

Indonesia Serving as Possible Haven For al Qaeda

Aired June 04, 2002 - 14:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The months since September 11th have revealed how extensive the al Qaeda terrorist network actually is. Now there's word of a secret intelligence report from Singapore showing Indonesia has been a haven for al Qaeda operatives. We get details now from Maria Ressa.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bombings in the Philippines and Indonesia, in 2000, a foiled attempt in Malaysia -- all once thought of as domestic problems, now seen as the work of operatives from Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network.

TONY TAN, SINGAPOREAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Al Qaeda has been able to have all these regional elements and movements, and given them focus and organization.

RESSA: In a secret Singapore intelligence report shown to CNN, the regional network is charted, pinpointing key leaders like Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, who has found refuge in Indonesia. It also said al Qaeda is training militants in Indonesia in the towns of Fosso (ph) and Ambon, long flash points for Muslim-Christian violence.

During a weekend security conference, Singapore senior minister Lee Kuan Yew said -- quote -- "We have destroyed their network in Singapore but the key leaders are at large in the region. They were initially inspired by the war in Afghanistan. Now, without Afghanistan, they use Ambon in the Malukus as the new battleground."

Nearly 10,000 people have died in Ambon since 1999. Intelligence officials in Southeast Asia tell CNN several of the militant groups which have brought Muslim fighters there have been funded by al Qaeda. Indonesia is asking its neighbors for solid evidence before it takes any action.

With the world's largest Muslim population and a fledgling democracy, Indonesia has become a focal point, highlighting the eternal battle within Islam, which is at the heart of the global war on terror.

JUSUF WANANDI, INDONESIAN DEFENSE ANALYST: It's a much more complicated problem we are facing. And Islam, of course, is one of the factors that we have to win on our side. And Indonesia would be playing a critical role in that. RESSA: To win the war on terror, U.S. officials say they must win the support of the world's moderate Muslims.

(on camera): U.S. and regional officials are supporting Indonesia publicly, while quietly pushing for more action behind the scenes. Their idea: that a stable, democratic Indonesia is far more crucial, not only for the security of the region, but for the global war on terror.

Maria Ressa, CNN, Manila.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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