May 4, 2007:
The tourist industry has again recovered from the effects of terrorist
bombings. Arrivals are up 12 percent so far this year, and total tourist
activity for the year is headed for a ten year record. People living in tourist
areas have been very good at counter-terrorism efforts, because many would be
unemployed for months, or years, if there is another terror attack in their
neighborhood.
May 2, 2007:
Islamic terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiah apparently still has
about a thousand members, despite the fact that
many of its leaders have been arrested. The terrorist organization,
however, has switched most of its efforts to trying to assassinate government
officials, rather than setting off bombs. April 27, 2007: A defense cooperation and extradition treaty
was signed with Singapore. The extradition deal was particularly important, as
corrupt Indonesian officials have often fled to Singapore with their loot, and
been immune from prosecution.
April 26, 2007:
A bomb went off in the Maluku islands, wounding six people. The Malukus
are largely Christian and Melanesian, and has been the scene of separatist
violence as recently as two years ago. The bomb appears to be an attempt to get
the separatist movement going again.
April 21, 2007:
Tribal feuds in Papua have left nearly three dozen people wounded in the
last week. The fighting is taking place in remote areas, and the police are
having a hard time gathering information, much less halting the violence.
