Mr. Bruce Baird: Australians Still Love Bali

An Australian Christian leader, Mr. Bruce Baird, embarked on his Bali trip immediately after attending a funeral of his country man, one of the 12 October 2002 bomb blast victims, just because of his love of Bali. There has been no reason for Australians to nurture antipathy or hate against Bali. People of the Kangaroo Land have viewed Bali, especially Kuta, as their own home.
Speaking in a meeting with Protestant and Catholic churches at Denpasar’s Bali Arts Center, Bruce said most Australians shared a great sorrow because of the Kuta blast taking, ore than 190 lives, most of whom were Australians. However, they feel immense sympathy to Bali, he said before an audience of about 5,000.
A Christian prayer and hopes for solidarity with the wounded blast victims or families of the deceased was held. Chairman of the meeting committee, Priest I Made Priana, said a solidarity fund of Rp 112 million had been transferred to 80 victims, while Balinese and Australian church leaders issued a statement read out by leading religious personalities.
The statement expressed sympathy to the Black October victims and rejected terrorism both in Indonesia and throughout the world. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church leader of Bali and West Nusa Tenggara, Dr. Benyamin Yosef Bria, Pr. stated his antiterrorist attitude and proposed the Government create a conducive climate for those coming to Bali, including tourists, in the post bomb period of time.(Poll)

Gde Wiratha
On Bali for the World

The more expressions of sympathy to the 12 October bomb victims, the more variables of choice for the recovery of Bali’s economy are launched by institutions and individuals. Apart from the recent National Coordination Meeting program of recovery and rehabilitation, there has been a program inviting various interests among Balinese social quarters, with both pros and cons.
According to Gde Wiratha from the Local Committee of “Bali for the World”, this program aims to build the image that Bali is safe for everybody including foreign tourists. It is launched by Bali Tourism Recovery Team under the banner of “Bali for the World”. Speaking to media, Wiratha told reporters about the activities done so far with “Bali for the World”.
Wiratha, who is also Chairman of Bali’s Chapter of Kadin Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged that the condition of Bali’s tourism following the bombing tragedy has caused enough concern to launch “Bali for the World” activities, peaking on 31 December 2002, with a representation of ambassadors of countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, China, Japan and Australia. “These ambassadors are expected to speak on Indonesia, especially on Bali as a tourist destination which is safe to visit” Gde Wiratha said. (Poll)