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JI plans for Australia's north
By CNN's Grant Holloway in Sydney
CANBERRA, Australia (CNN) -- The Australian government has officially listed Jemaah Islamiya (JI) as a terrorist organization amid reports the group has targeted northern Australia to form part of an Islamic superstate. The Australian move follows the United Nations decision to list JI as a terror group on Friday. The group, allegedly headed by Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, is suspected of being responsible for the October 12 bombings in Bali which killed more than 180 people, the majority of them Australian tourists. The Australian decision now means it is an offence for any Australian to belong to, recruit for, train with, receive funds from or make funds available to JI. Members of JI -- or those who help the group -- could face prison sentences of up to 25 years. The listing of JI comes ahead of a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Four Corners program which says the group has a vision of an Islamic "superstate" incorporating parts of northern Australia. The program, which will screen Monday evening in Australia, also reportedly uncovers evidence of Ba'asyir's alleged role in a campaign of terror in Southeast Asia over the past three years. Philippines' national security adviser, Roilo Golez, is quoted saying his intelligence indicates Australia is part of al Qaeda's plan for a wider Asian Islamic state. "Jemaah Islamiya's vision of a pan-Islamic state includes parts of northern Australia," Golez reportedly says. Reports from CNN last week quoted Southeast Asian intelligence reports describing the presence of a JI cell in Australia called Mantiqi 4. The CNN sources say it is unclear whether the JI cells, thought to have been set up inside Australia itself, are for logistical support or if they are operational. The Australian government said Sunday the listing of JI as a terrorist group would take effect immediately and would deter Australians from becoming inadvertently involved in its activities. Counter terror measuresIt would also strengthen Australia's ability to prosecute related offences under new counter-terrorism laws introduced in the wake of the September 11 attacks in the United States. Australian Attorney General Daryl Williams said Sunday it was a matter for investigation by the Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence to determine if anyone breached the new anti-JI law. "There are people in Australia who support overseas terrorist organizations. We know there are people in Australia who have trained with al Qaeda. We know that people associated with JI have visited Australia," Williams told ABC radio. "The listing of JI as a terrorist organization under Australian law puts anybody who has any association with it on notice that potentially they are committing a serious crime," he said. Australia has twice boosted its counter-terrorism capabilities since September 11. The latest moves follow the Bali bombings and include further tightening border security, particularly at airports, and increased protection for Australian embassies and consulates overseas.
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