Читать книгу The Timor Man - Kerry B Collison - Страница 10

The Present

The explosion erupted through the assembly.

Figures danced momentarily before disintegrating into heaps of lifeless flesh and bone. The blast ripped through the guests hurling musical instruments into the maelstrom of human carnage, decapitating a bandsman.

Then, for an immeasurable moment, silence ...

A shrill cry pierced the quiet, then a cacophony of screams emphasised the full horror of the blasts.

Canberra bomb toll 'horrific' - PM

By PETER JENSEN

The Australian Prime Minister has issued a statement strongly condemning last night's terrorist attack which claimed more than 100 lives here in the Capital.

Amongst those believed killed were the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Mr. Nathan Seda, the Indonesian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Umar Suprapto, and the Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdul Nasution, and the former Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Duncan O'Laughlin.

A further 337 people have been reported as seriously injured. Local hospitals where the bomb blast victims were recovering from severe burns have been placed under tight security.

An informed source has stated that the condition of the Papua New Guinea Foreign Affairs Minister has improved but he is to remain on the critical list.

Eye witnesses reported that the Indonesian Embassy foyer erupted into a fireball moments after commencement of the Indonrsian national anthem.

The explosion was felt throughout the area. Local residents in surrounding areas have reported extensive window damage. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has expressed deep regret concerning the attack and has sent a personal note to the Indonesian President expressing sympathy and offering Australia's condolences to the Indonesian people.

He stated he hoped current relations would not be further strained by what he described as "international terrorists and vested interest groups bent on sabotaging Indonesian-Australian relations."

Yesterday's reception was held to celebrate Indonesia's Independence Day in Australia, Mr. Seda's first since taking up his post.

Both Governments had hoped that his appointment would create an air of rapprochement between the countries since relations were strained over the Timor shelf oil disputes and New Guinea's recent border clashes with its giant neighbour.

Border violations throughout the past twelve months have resulted in Australian military units being positioned in New Guinea to assist under the terms of existing defence commitments. A number of Indonesian RPKAD troops and New Guinea soldiers were killed during a recent clash. At the time, Indonesia claimed that their troops had been on an anti-guerilla sweep and had inadvertently strayed into New Guinea territory. Political relations deteriorated further when the Australian Embassy in Jakarta was partly gutted by fire during student demonstrations.

It is not known whether Indonesia will now sever diplomatic ties as a result of this attack. Opposition Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister David Carroll demanded that the Prime Minister act to protect Australian interests in Indonesia as students are expected to demonstrate in retaliation to the Canberra Bombing.

A Government spokesman has indicated that steps have already been taken in Jakarta but warned that tourists should be aware of possible incidents in response to the deaths of the senior Indonesians here.

A man claiming to be a member of the Frente Revolucionada de Timor Lest Indepente (FRETILIN) party had phoned claiming responsibility for the bombing.

The Prime Minister has instructed the police and security chiefs to mobilize whatever forces necessary to investigate the bombing and pursue those responsible - AAP

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