Indonesia says terrorists are losing their battle to spread hatred

BALI (AP) - Islamic terrorists blamed for a series of suicide bombings in Indonesia have failed to further their "cause of hatred" in the world's most populous Muslim nation, the president said Friday.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made the comments at the opening of a US$5 million (?3.6 million) eye clinic on Bali island, a gift from Australia dedicated to victims of the 2002 nightclub bombings which killed 202 people, 88 of them Australians.

"Today, the terrorists who are responsible for such monstrous crimes have been captured, tried and put behind bars," the president said at a speech attended by Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

"They have utterly failed in their misguided cause of hatred."

Members of the Jemaah Islamiyah militant network have been blamed for the 2002 blasts, the 2003 and 2004 attacks on the J.W. Marriott Hotel and the Australian Embassy in Jakarta; and the 2005 triple suicide bombings of restaurants in Bali.

Police have arrested scores of people in connection with the blasts, but analysts say more attacks remain likely.

Howard said that the Australia-Bali Memorial Eye Center, which will help to restore sight to people who suffer from cataract blindness free of charge, was dedicated to victims of the October 2002 bombings.

It was also "an expression of gratitude from the people of Australia to the people of Bali for the kindness that they showed toward our fellow countrymen and women in October 2002," he said.