Felix the Cat
10-12-2007, 07:18 AM
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22573747-601,00.html
A POLITICAL row in Australia over the death penalty and an Indonesian party for reformed terrorists made the fifth anniversary of the Bali bombings the toughest of all for some survivors.
“This is probably the worst period ever out of the whole time,” said Perth survivor Peter Hughes, who suffered horrific burns in the October 12, 2002, nightclub attacks which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.
“Last week with all the Amnesty stuff and Labor making a bit of a gaffe, those things don't help,” he said.
Australians remembered those killed at services in Bali, Sydney and Perth, vowing that their love of life remained stronger than the hatred of terrorism.
But emotions seemed rawer than normal in a week when Labor leader Kevin Rudd carpeted frontbencher Robert McClelland over the timing of his restatement of ALP policy universally opposing the death penalty.
Amnesty International, meanwhile, called on Indonesia to spare the three bombers facing execution for the attacks.
Passions were further ignited by news that Indonesia's anti-terror chief recently hosted a party for over 20 reformed Islamic militants, including convicted Bali bomber Mubarok, as part of its strategy against terrorism.
Prime Minister John Howard said Australia would formally complain about the “disgusting” event, which Indonesia said was aimed at building a web of paid informants.
Mr Rudd called it “grossly insensitive”, adding: “I think for those who are grieving today, it's doubly insensitive”.
The issue was uppermost in the minds of many survivors and families attending an emotional gathering in the gardens of Australia's consulate in Bali.
“It's not how we would have done it,” Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Greg Hunt, told reporters after the memorial.
“There are many people in Australia who would have deep reservations.
“(But) we respect the fact that the Indonesian government has had success in seeking cooperation in ways that would not occur within Australia.”
Those present held a minute's silence, before placing flowers, homemade cards and victims' photos at the base of a permanent wooden memorial cross.
Mr Hunt told the gathering Australia would never stop fighting against terrorism.
“To those who are responsible for this atrocity, you will not win, you will not succeed, because we will not shrink from seeking justice,” he said.
“We will not rest in our cooperation with Indonesia in counter-terrorism, in policing, in community support and, above all else, we will not let your murderous hatred displace our love of life.”
Similar sentiments were expressed in Sydney, where Coogee Dolphins rugby league club president Patrick Byrne said the club's growth from 30 to 300 players proved the Bali bombers had not achieved their objectives.
“I assume their goal has been to fill us with hatred, to destroy as many of us as possible and fill our lives with misery,” he told a memorial service.
“Through the Dolphins, we continue to show them that they have failed.”
The Dolphins were on an end-of-season trip when they were caught up in the terrorist act that killed 20 people from Sydney's east.
Candice Buchan, of Malabar in Sydney's south-east, said she would do “anything in the world” to bring back her parents, who were killed in the Sari Club blast.
Ms Buchan, who was 15 when her parents were killed, said they would be proud of her accomplishments, including completing her Higher School Certificate exams and finding a fulfilling job.
“I feel a sense of emptiness that I can't have my happiness and success with my parents, they meant the most to me,” she said.
“I do not believe that time will ever heal my pain and knowing that my parents will not be around in person is such a scary thought.”
A POLITICAL row in Australia over the death penalty and an Indonesian party for reformed terrorists made the fifth anniversary of the Bali bombings the toughest of all for some survivors.
“This is probably the worst period ever out of the whole time,” said Perth survivor Peter Hughes, who suffered horrific burns in the October 12, 2002, nightclub attacks which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.
“Last week with all the Amnesty stuff and Labor making a bit of a gaffe, those things don't help,” he said.
Australians remembered those killed at services in Bali, Sydney and Perth, vowing that their love of life remained stronger than the hatred of terrorism.
But emotions seemed rawer than normal in a week when Labor leader Kevin Rudd carpeted frontbencher Robert McClelland over the timing of his restatement of ALP policy universally opposing the death penalty.
Amnesty International, meanwhile, called on Indonesia to spare the three bombers facing execution for the attacks.
Passions were further ignited by news that Indonesia's anti-terror chief recently hosted a party for over 20 reformed Islamic militants, including convicted Bali bomber Mubarok, as part of its strategy against terrorism.
Prime Minister John Howard said Australia would formally complain about the “disgusting” event, which Indonesia said was aimed at building a web of paid informants.
Mr Rudd called it “grossly insensitive”, adding: “I think for those who are grieving today, it's doubly insensitive”.
The issue was uppermost in the minds of many survivors and families attending an emotional gathering in the gardens of Australia's consulate in Bali.
“It's not how we would have done it,” Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Greg Hunt, told reporters after the memorial.
“There are many people in Australia who would have deep reservations.
“(But) we respect the fact that the Indonesian government has had success in seeking cooperation in ways that would not occur within Australia.”
Those present held a minute's silence, before placing flowers, homemade cards and victims' photos at the base of a permanent wooden memorial cross.
Mr Hunt told the gathering Australia would never stop fighting against terrorism.
“To those who are responsible for this atrocity, you will not win, you will not succeed, because we will not shrink from seeking justice,” he said.
“We will not rest in our cooperation with Indonesia in counter-terrorism, in policing, in community support and, above all else, we will not let your murderous hatred displace our love of life.”
Similar sentiments were expressed in Sydney, where Coogee Dolphins rugby league club president Patrick Byrne said the club's growth from 30 to 300 players proved the Bali bombers had not achieved their objectives.
“I assume their goal has been to fill us with hatred, to destroy as many of us as possible and fill our lives with misery,” he told a memorial service.
“Through the Dolphins, we continue to show them that they have failed.”
The Dolphins were on an end-of-season trip when they were caught up in the terrorist act that killed 20 people from Sydney's east.
Candice Buchan, of Malabar in Sydney's south-east, said she would do “anything in the world” to bring back her parents, who were killed in the Sari Club blast.
Ms Buchan, who was 15 when her parents were killed, said they would be proud of her accomplishments, including completing her Higher School Certificate exams and finding a fulfilling job.
“I feel a sense of emptiness that I can't have my happiness and success with my parents, they meant the most to me,” she said.
“I do not believe that time will ever heal my pain and knowing that my parents will not be around in person is such a scary thought.”