Joint Media Release
Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alexander Downer MP and the
Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison
16 October 2002
Joint Investigation and Intelligence Team to Investigate Bali Bombing
In Jakarta today we have held productive discussions with the President
of Indonesia, HE Mrs Megawati Soekarnoputri, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, HE Dr Hassan Wirajuda, the Co-ordinating Minister for Political
and Security Affairs, HE General Bambang Yudhoyono and the Minister
for Justice and Human Rights, HE Prof Yusril Ihza Mahendra.
We expressed our sincere condolences to the people of Indonesia,
in particular to the families of the victims, following the tragic
loss of innocent lives in Bali on Saturday.
The Indonesian Government also extended its sympathy to the Australian
people.
Both governments strongly condemned the bombing as a cowardly act
of terrorism and agreed to pursue those responsible with relentless
resolve to ensure that they are brought to justice.
Australia and Indonesia have agreed to establish a Joint Investigation
and Intelligence Team to investigate the Bali bombing.
Officials from both countries are now working together to finalise
arrangements and to ensure that the very best of Australian and Indonesian
expertise will be applied to this crucial task.
We will hold discussions with other countries affected by the incident
about contributions that they could make towards the investigations.
This agreement is made possible under the auspices of the Memorandum
of Understanding on Combating International Terrorism signed by President
Megawati and Prime Minister Howard in February this year.
The Joint Investigation and Intelligence Team will build on existing
co-operative efforts with Indonesian authorities that have seen 45
Australian Federal Police officers undertake investigative and victim
identification work in Bali.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) +61 02 6277 7500 / Mairi
Barton (Senator Ellison's office) 02 6277 7260
Local Date:
Tuesday, 22-May-2012 07:06:54 EST
