Arrest of Major Suspects in East Asia Indicates Definitive Progress in Global Fight Against Terrorism

U.S. officials state that the arrest of major suspects in terrorist operations in East Asia last year and the improvement of cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts in the region indicate definitive progress in the global fight against terrorism. The U.S. Department of State praised the arrest of Hambali, a senior member of the Jemaah Islamiyah in Thailand, in its annual report on global terrorism. Hambali, an Indonesian citizen, is suspected of leading a series of terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia, including the 2002 Bali bombing that left 200 dead. The State Department's report also commended several regional countries for their progress in information exchange and border cooperation in combating terrorist groups. The report noted that Japan and Australia have continued their strong anti-terrorism stance in 2003, while China, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Singapore have made significant advancements in this area. Cambodia has also been effective in arresting individuals suspected of terrorist operations who were under international pursuit. The report highlighted Indonesia's success in combating the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah, linked to al-Qaeda, through the arrest of its members and the enactment of stricter anti-terrorism laws, while warning that political pressures and other factors have limited the Indonesian government's resolve in this matter. U.S. officials expressed satisfaction with the establishment of a regional counter-terrorism center in Malaysia, which is expected to assist in the fight against terrorism by focusing on regional training, information exchange, and increasing public awareness.