BA'ASYIR FOUND DEAD IN HOME EXPLOSION

Jakarta (Reuters) - Abu Bakir Ba'asyir, the self-proclaimed "spiritual leader" of terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), was just found dead at the remains of his home, attacked only minutes ago by precision bombing.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by unknown forces within the Indonesian military (TNI) through a calculated bombing assault.

The leader, having reportedly defected from the terrorist organization, was in the midst of a negotiation with the Indonesian government regarding the whereabouts of JI bases. The Jakarta Post cannot reveal its sources with regard to this information.

He is believed to have died instantly.

NUCLEAR STRIKE HITS JAKARTA, CAUSES TSUNAMI; THOUSANDS DIE AS DEATH TOLL CONTINUES TO RISE

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March 30, 2007 - Nuclear attack hits Indonesian capital of Jakarta at approximately 11:59 PM.

Blast from attack triggers earthquake in Jakarta and tsunami in the Java Sea.

Northeastern portion of the city devastated. Thousands presumed dead and death toll expected to rise significantly.

All citizens of Jakarta and surrounding cities asked to evacuate immediately.

THIS IS AN EMERGENCY NEWS BRIEFING

GOVERNMENT-JI FOOTAGE LEAKED TO THE MEDIA

Jakarta (Reuters) - Unknown sources have leaked footage of the alleged negotiations between the Indonesian government and the terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). The footage was revealed to media outlets throughout Southeast and Eastern Asia earlier this morning and has since been proliferated on news casts around the world.

The footage follows rumors of negotiations between the Indonesian government and JI concerning JI's recent acquirement of a weaponized form of the avian flu. Though low in quality, audio-visual experts have since confirmed the footage's legitimacy and reliability as a source in the ongoing discussions on the government's involvement with JI.

The Indonesian government has failed to comment the recent developments.

LEAK SHOWS SUSPICIOUS GOVERNMENT-JI COLLABORATION

Jakarta (AFP) – A news report leaked to the media has suggested that the Indonesian government and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) are working collaboratively to rid or cleanse Indonesia of "Christian influences," declare martial law, and strengthen the power of the state.

Sources point to potential deals between the government and JI, including those related to JI's recent acquirement of biological weapons believed to contain the avian bird flu. According to the leak, JI has apparently been working with Indonesian authorities to plan and execute the bombings of certain cities in an attempt to justify a massive centralization of power.

None of the Cabinet ministers were available for comment.

East Timorese President Disappears 10 Days Before Elections

Dili (Reuters) - The current president of East Timor, Xanana Gusmao, was reported missing earlier this evening, 10 days before the country's scheduled presidential elections.

According to East Timorese authorities, Gusmao and his yacht seems to have "literally disappeared" after the President failed to return from an afternoon of sailing on the coast of the Timor Sea.

Though foul play is suspected, no ransom has been issued and no group has stepped forward to accept responsibility.

Australian authorities also investigating the situation suspect the involvement of the Indonesian government.

The Indonesian government has yet to issue a response to these claims, and the investigation continues on both the Australian and the East Timorese fronts.

JI Calls for Immediate Negotiations with Indoneisan Government

Maluku (Reuters) - Muhammed Ismael, a representative from the terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), has recently announced in an online press release that the group is willing to negotiate with the Indonesian government and discuss the pending detonation of the five remaining biological weapons in the group's custody.

"The negotiations must occur immediately," Ismael said. "The Indonesian government must act quickly, or else we will act faster."

JI has threatened to detonate a series of five other biological weapons contained in "undisclosed locations" and believed to contain the avian bird flu. It is estimated that the detonations would kill thousands instantly and millions belatedly as a result of the spread of the avian flu.

According to Ismael, the negotiations between the Indonesian government and JI would only last "around 30 minutes."

"The Cabinet should be sure on how it wants to act," Ismael said. "Argument is a sign of disunity and weakness within the body. We know what we want, and they should too."

The statements came after the earlier detonation of a biological weapon in Jakarta that has since killed an estimated 2,010 people.

Biological Weapon Explosion Kills 1,000 in Jakarta

Jakarta (Reuters) - The terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) has claimed responsibility for the detonation of an unknown biological weapon in the Indonesian city of Jakarta, killing an estimated 1,000 people.

The blast, which occurred at 5 pm in the central district of Jakarta, is believed to have killed around 800 people instantly. An approximate 150 more have since died of blast-related injuries, a number expected to rise over the next couple of days.

According to representatives from JI, the organization is in possession of five other biological weapons of "similar capacity" being held at "undisclosed locations."

The representatives did not elaborate on the conditions surrounding the detonation or its biological contents, though it is suspected to have contained a weaponized form of the avian bird flu.

"The spread of bird flu could be devastating to Indonesia and could ultimately kill around 1/4 of the world's population," a representative from the World Health Organization, said.

The threat posed by the remaining biological weapons, and whether or not JI is actually in possession of said weapons, is still under investigation.

MYSTERY BIRD FLU OUTBREAK IN MALUKU AND PAPUA KILLS HUNDREDS

Maluku (Reuters) – A mysterious bout of bird flu has struck Maluku and Papua with a vengeance, killing hundreds in these two locations which have traditionally not been part of the pattern of disease cases since its outbreak.

Abdul Wanandi, head of the Doctors without Borders chapter in Indonesia, said “I have never seen anything like this on such a massive scale."

Indonesia has experienced just over 66 cases over the last few years, but the hundreds of reports over the last 8 hours or so suggest that the disease may have mutated to being able to spread between humans.

“We have been warning the international community that the strain could mutate and evolve, and we should try to nip it in the bud. This is a really serious issue and the WHO would be available at the Indonesian government’s request to help with quarantine procedures," said the head of the WHO Margaret Chan.

GAM RADICALS ASSASSINATE YUSUF, DECLARE WAR ON THE INDONESIAN STATE

Jakarta (AFP) – Radical factions of the GAM beheaded the governor of Aceh, Irwandi Yusuf, yesterday, before jointly declaring war on what they called a “weak and feeble” Indonesian government.

When asked whether their moves could trigger massive retaliation from the Indonesian government, a rebel spokesman said simply and sarcastically, “we assassinated SBY and all they did was issue a press release, the MOU is still applicable, and they are still groping with government instability.”

Yusuf is the second high-profile casualty by way of beheading after the surprise death of the Indonesian President yesterday. In other news, five simultaneous bombings rocked other parts of Aceh, two in military compounds, two in shopping centers, and one in a busy marketplace. Altogether, over 115 civilians and 55 military personnel were killed.

Indonesian expert Dr. Zachary Abuza, who specializes in terrorism, expressed concern about the situation in Indonesia in general and Aceh in particular. “What we are seeing is a complete breakdown of the Aceh autonomous state. If the situation is not quelled now, this might prove to be some kind of powder keg for the rest of the nation”, he said at a press conference after a summit at the Institute for Strategic and Defense Studies in Singapore.

The rebels declined to comment if they would expand their attacks internationally, which they have historically avoided. However, when asked if they would move into Jakarta or other main Indonesian tourist destinations like Bali, the rebel leader simply shrugged and said, “why not, their feathers don’t seem rustled just yet."

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Beheaded

It is with deep regret that The Jakarta Post Online releases the following two news videos on the beheading of late Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono:





Our deepest condolences go out to the late President's immediate family, as well as to the Indonesian people as a whole. He will be greatly missed.

R.I.P

Rest In Peace. You have served your country well, and you will be forever missed.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
September 9, 1949 - March 29, 2007

Aceh Confirms Anonymous Statements; Pushes For Talks

Calang Samalanga, an official representative from Aceh, has just confirmed statements made earlier this evening by an anonymous source from the Free Aceh Movement with regard to discussion between Aceh and the Indonesian government. The statements called for Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to meet with Irwandi Yusuf in Aceh to discuss an "urgent situation." Said situation implied an impending collapse of the Aceh government.

According to Samalanga, "we will only meet in Aceh. This is nonnegotiable."

"We have security under control," Samalanga said. "There is absolutely no need for Indonesian military involvement."

Samalanga also said the talks must occur "as soon as possible."

The Jakarta Post Online will continue to follow developments on the issue.

Statement Issued from Free Aceh Representative

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An anonymous representative from the Free Aceh Movement has just released a statement saying Irwandi Yusuf will only talk to the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, about an "urgent situation."

According to the representative, "the government will fall if he [the President] does not."

"Aceh will not accept a meeting with the President anywhere else except autonomous Aceh," the representative said. "Our integrity as a nation is at stake, and we have had enough experience with Indonesian dominance."

The representative also issued a warning against Indonesian military involvement in any discussions between Yusuf and the President.

The Jakarta Post Online continues to look into the context of the statements and their implications on relations between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement.

Anger grows over Iran resolution

More than a hundred legislators plan to question President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over the government's decision to support the UN Security Council's resolution imposing new sanctions on Iran after its refusal to suspend its nuclear program.

Legislators from a variety of parties said the government's decision did not represent the opinion of Indonesia and had damaged ties between Indonesia and Iran.

Within the past two days, 132 legislators from a range of political parties have signed a document questioning the decision, which will be to the plenary session by House Speaker Agung Laksono on Thursday.

The House's internal rulings require only 13 signatures from legislators to regard a move to question the President as valid.

Agung, who was the last to sign, on Wednesday, said if the plenary session approved the move, the President, or a cabinet minister representing him, would have to explain the reasons behind the government's decision to back the UN resolution.

The Constitution and the 2003 Composition of the People's Consultative Assembly Law, the House of Representatives and Provincial and Regency Legislatures assure legislators' right to question the President over policies and decisions that are considered to be against the law or the country's national interests.

If the President's explanation is found unsatisfactory, the House can call on the People's Consultative Assembly to hold a special session to impeach him.

The move was initiated by several legislators during the House's plenary session Tuesday. The Democrat Party, the main supporter of the President, was the only faction opposing the move.

Several Muslim clerics and public figures have also indicated their support of the plan.

Former chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais has joined the protest but has said he does not believe the House is serious in its plans to question the President.

Anas Urbaningrum, a politician from the Democrat Party, called on the government to explain to the public its decision to support the UN resolution.

"Indonesia should have abstained in the Security Council meeting to take a safe position in applying the country's foreign policy. But, of course, the government has its own reasons for accepting the resolution," he said.

Djoko Susilo, a member of the defense and foreign policy commission at the House, called on all sides to be rational rather than emotional in their reactions to the government's decision, saying national interests should be the main reason behind the decision.

"Indonesia cannot deploy double standards in its foreign policy. Why was the opposition silent when Indonesia abstained over the UN resolution imposing sanctions on the Myanmarese junta, which violates the rights of (Myanmarese) minority groups?" he said.