The Shadow Over The Summit
As leaders meet, Southeast Asia gets serious about its terrorists
Despite such successes, cracking down on JI remains a daunting task. Corruption and crime are rife throughout the region, giving militants ready access to smuggling routes, weapons, and fake identity papers. Investigators have uncovered a network of charities and front companies that have moved money to JI and al Qaeda, but, says Abuza, "Authorities are getting almost nowhere on the money." Among the problems: weak laws, poorly funded investigators, and a lack of political will. "In Malaysia, where most of their front companies have been identified, they won't shut them down because the Malaysians fear a backlash," Abuza says. "In Indonesia, they won't even look."
Several captives have fingered a leading Saudi charity, al Haramain, as the major conduit for al Qaeda's funds in Indonesia. Another Saudi charity, the International Islamic Relief Organization, was raided in the Philippines for its alleged terrorist ties. Despite moves to close the two groups, each has reopened under different names, sources say. Al Haramain, moreover, has worked closely with KOMPAK, an Indonesian charity with 13 offices nationwide, according to Abuza. At least two of KOMPAK's offices are allegedly run by senior JI members, he says, but local authorities are reluctant to investigate. (KOMPAK officials refused a U.S. News request for an interview.) "Acknowledge the links to KOMPAK, and all of a sudden you taint an organization seen as clean by a whole range of the Muslim elite," says Sidney Jones, who studies JI for the International Crisis Group. "If you take one step beyond JI, you get into the center of the Muslim establishment."
Such close ties suggest that pulling out the roots of radical Islam in the region will not be easy. "Everybody wants to think of Southeast Asian Muslims as the cuddly moderates, and for the vast majority it's true," says Abuza. "But the ranks of the radicals are growing."
SOUTHEAST ASIAN TERRORISTS
With its traditions of moderate Islam, Southeast Asia has been slow to recognize the spread of radicalism. This week, President Bush flies to the region for an economic summit and other meetings.
ACTIVE ISLAMIC TERRORIST GROUPS
JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH
The region's best-organized terrorist group, closely tied to al Qaeda. With some 5,000 members and hundreds of hard-core operatives.
AL QAEDA
Osama bin Laden's terrorist network has deep roots in Southeast Asia, drawing on hundreds of Afghan war veterans. Al Qaeda operatives plotted the 9/11 hijackings and other big attacks from the region.
KUMPULAN MUJAHIDEEN MALAYSIA
KMM calls for the overthrow of the Malaysian government and creation of an Islamic state. Its 70 to 80 members are accused of bombings, robberies, and assassinations.
MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT
The MILF is the largest Islamic separatist group in the Philippines, with up to 12,000 members. Responsible for numerous bombings and a sustained guerrilla war.
ABU SAYYAF
Abu Sayyaf calls for an Islamic state, but its 200 to 500 members have descended into criminal gangs engaged in extortion, murder, and kidnapping for profit.
Stops on the President Bush's Southeast Asian trip, October 17-23:
Thailand
Malaysia
Singapore
Philippines
Indonesia
[Map is not available.]
THAILAND
Capital: Bangkok
Active terrorist groups: Jemaah Islamiyah; Al Qaeda
MALAYSIA
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Active terrorist groups: Jemaah Islamiyah; Al Qaeda; Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia
SINGAPORE
Active terrorist groups: Jemaah Islamiyah; Al Qaeda
PHILIPPINES
Capital: Manila
Active terrorist groups: Jemaah Islamiyah; Al Qaeda; Moro Islamic Liberation Front; Abu Sayyaf
INDONESIA
Capital: Jakarta
Active terrorist groups: Jemaah Islamiyah; Al Qaeda
[Other labels]
SUMATRA
JAVA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Pacific Ocean
South China Sea
Stephen Rountree--USN&WR
With Anthony Davis, Paul Dillon and Chitra Ragavan
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