[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H10058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TERRORISM IN INDONESIA MUST BE ADDRESSED AS PART OF WAR ON TERRORISM

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of concern over the serious 
internal terrorist attacks occurring in Indonesia.
  A terrorist extremist group, Laskar Jihad, led by a man by the name 
of Jafar Umar Thalib, has caused tremendous destruction, death, and 
internal displacement of the Indonesian people. In Poso, Central 
Sulawesi, villagers are presently fleeing in terror as Laskar Jihad 
attacks and burns their homes and kills innocent people.
  Credible reports in the news media have revealed links because the 
Laskar Jihad and the al Qaeda organization. During the attacks in Poso, 
foreigners from countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan have been seen 
among the terrorists. There is not only a strong ideological link, but 
also an important financial link between al Qaeda and Laskar Jihad.
  Mr. Speaker, it is vital that we work proactively with the Indonesian 
Government as their officials seek to appropriately respond to 
terrorism and as they continue to establish democracy and stability in 
their Nation.
  This is another front in the international war on terrorism that 
should be addressed.

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