BALI UPDATE #322 - 18 November 2002

Editorial: The First Rule of War

War on Terrorism is Lost if We Fail to Properly Identify the Enemy.

The just completed Bali ceremonies of mass mourning for the victims of October 12^th; the boastful confessions of the man apprehended for that crime; the mounting evidence that the outrage was the work of terrorist with international connections; the perverse glee revealed in recent public statements by Al Qaeda rejoicing at the death of Bali innocents; the heightened states of security alerts now in effect for New York and Washington; and the fears of poison gas attacks in Great Britain and Europe - all point to the irrefutable fact that the world is engaged in an international war on terror and its ruthless practitioners.

Joining the War Effort

The victims of New York, Washington, Pennsylvania and Kuta-Legian were only yesterday by our sides and sorely missed by grieving family and friends. Yet, if the intensity of the rabid hatred preached by their killers is any indication, there are more wakes for us to keep and funerals to attend before the current war comes to some sort of "final" conclusion.

Having just tasted the bitter fruits of this war, the people of Bali are anything but neutral non-combatants in that war. In a single night of madness, Al Qaeda and its fellow travelers launched a brutal attack on the peaceful people of Bali, managing to alienate its 3 million people and eliminating the chance of feeling any real sympathy for Al Qaeda and their claims of religious victimization at the hands of the West.

Notwithstanding the current prayers for peace and reconciliation being offered on this island, it's been suggested that if raffle tickets were sold for places on the firing squad to execute Amrozy and his accomplices, sufficient funds might be collected to substantially reduce Indonesia's massive national debt. History shows that blood flows red and warm in the veins of the Balinese who steadfastly demand justice from their police, prosecutors, and judges in connection with the bombing of October 12^th.

In the war against terrorism, the people of Bali are now fully enlisted foot soldiers against those who perpetrated that outrage and threatened their very way of life.

The First Rule of War

Consequently, the United States and the rest of the developed world needs to be reminded that the cardinal rule of war is to first decide the battle lines, clearly defining who are your allies and those that you consider your foes.

Deciding sides in the current war on terror, without its clear battle fronts and distinct demarcation lines, will sometimes prove difficult and certainly require more than the knee-jerk reactions currently in evidence in the formulation of travel warnings now in effect for Indonesia, Thailand, and other nations in the region. These difficulties aside, the need to correctly differentiate the enemy from your allies remains vitally important for the battles ahead.

It reeks of both folly and simple-mindedness to decide the identity of the enemy in the current war on the simple milieu of "us" and "them." When terror can strike at any place in the globe, to arbitrarily declare vast areas of the planet occupied by other potential victims of terror as unsafe reveals all the wisdom of an ostrich whose head is soundly buried in a hole standing in the middle of a mine field.

In the face of the just issued U.S. security alerts for Washington and New York, we ask: Should Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand warn its citizens to defer all travel to the United States, withdraw their nationals working at the United Nations, close their respective embassies, and terminate all their business interests there?

It's Enough to Make Osama Smile

If the Al Qaeda terrorists intentions are to unsettle world economies and bring the West to it knees in fear, they are currently enjoying tremendous success by anyone's standard. Our airlines teeter on the edge of bankruptcy, international trade has been negatively impacted, our children are considered security threats and no longer issued visa to attend Western colleges and universities, and - as seemingly reflected in current visa and travel advisories - the West views the people and this region with both fear and loathing.

No doubt, that repugnant cave dweller who fancies he has a direct line to God could not have prayed for more spectacular results in the wake of his heinious attacks on the West. How, in his wildest dreams, could he have envisioned the west would crumble so quickly after his initial forays of terror?

Rather than introduce policies grounded in fear and xenophobia, what's really needed is to undertake the moral equivalent of WWII's lend-lease program to combat the scourge of international terrorism. Instead of playing into the enemy's hands by resorting to isolationism, no effort or resource should be spared in preserving the lines of free commerce between peoples and cultures. Air and shipping lines should be viewed as critical industries in this war and kept in operation at any cost. Our best minds and system technologists must be called upon to devise systems to keep the wheels of international business and tourism safely flowing. Governments should underwrite terror risk insurance to prevent those who profit from fear from crippling international commerce. If necessary to get travelers flowing, incentives should also be offered to the brave hearts who lead by example and send the enemy "a message" by undertaking a program of international travel.

The west has both the know-how and the technology to reduce the risks of travel to acceptable levels. And, undoubtedly, in achieving this goal we'll spend heavily and suffer casualties along the way. But, do we have any choice except to wage all out war against terrorism when the only alternative is capitulation to those evil plotters hunkered down in their far-away caves?

Isolationism and the spread of fear are the best friends and main comforts of cave-dwelling terrorists.

The last thing we need to do is to play the game by their rules.

Hotel Security Workshops for Bali and Jakarta

Hotel Asia Pacific and Local Hotel Groups Respond to Security Threats.

Hotel Asia-Pacific, a leading hotel industry publication headquartered in Hongkong, in cooperation with Starwood Hotels, Six Continent Hotels and Shangri-La Hotels are joining forces to present a timely one-day workshop dealing with hotel security on December 16, 2002 in Bali and again on January 9, 2003 in Jakarta.

Aimed at presenting the latest thinking in both technical and human approaches to improve hotel security the workshop will showcase top speakers in the field and demonstrations of the latest equipment available in the field of hotel security. Discussions will also be held on how to deal with security issues in marketing a specific destination to the conference and meeting markets.

Through the generous support of its sponsors, the Hotel Asia Pacific Hotel Security Workshop will cost Bali participants only Rp. 100,000 and Jakarta workshop participants a tentative $50. That fee will cover lunches, coffee breaks, bi-lingual course materials, and a certificate of participation. Moreover, the Rp. 100,000 paid by the Bali workshop participants will be contributed entirely to the Casa Grande Hotel Association Bali Relief Fund .

The Hotel Asia Pacific Hotel Security Workshops is managed by the meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition division of Bali Discovery Tours.

More information: Hotel Asia Pacific Hotel Security Workshop

Bargain Bali Prices for OZ Clients

Asiaescape Holidays Offers Special Air and Accommodation Rates.

Asiaescape Holidays is offering Australian travelers outstanding values on air and accommodation on 7, 10 and 14 night holidays to Bali.

Available from Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - programs start from as low as AU$ 755 per person from Perth or AU$ 1,030 from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane for a 7 night program including air, transfers, and hotel accommodation including breakfast.

Upon arrival in Bali, all Asiaescape Holidays clients will have access to a range of special discounts on local tours, attractions, and restaurants and access to the Asiaescapes 24-hour help line.

For more information contact Asiaescape Holidays toll-free at 1800 462 254 in Australia or obtain details and reservations on line via the link below:

Conditions apply.

More information: Bali Packages from Asiaescape Holidays

The Ritual Rebirth of Bali

Bali Pauses to Cleanse Itself of An Evil Visited Upon It.

On Friday, November 15^th, the entire island of Bali paused in a final act of exorcism, ridding itself of the unspeakable evil visited up it by the cruel and thoughtless people who perversely believed their own political agenda could somehow be advanced by shedding the blood of innocents. Made ritually unclean by the carnage visited on their ancestral lands, the Balinese held ceremonies in every village across the island and a major series of events on the south island attended by thousands.

Similarly, in a remarkable symbol of solidarity, people in New York City gathered at the site of the WTC for a simple Balinese ceremony as did the people of San Francisco at Crissy Field on the Presidio who witnessed a program of Balinese prayers, music, and dance. The international press also reported that Balinese-themed ceremonies were organized in London, Sydney, and Toronto to concide with the Bali ceremonies.

Transacted on the auspicious full moon of November, the Tawur Gentuh held on Bali's Kuta Beach and the Pemarisudha Karipubhaya held at "ground zero" were conducted to restore balance to the Balinese cosmos left badly out of kilter by the terrorist outrage and deemed necessary to ritually release the spirits of those killed to pursue their next level of incarnation.

The beachside ceremonies on Kuta's beach required the ritual slaughter of some 79 animals that had been ritually cleaned and prepared for days before Friday's climatic ceremony. The animals, carefully selected, once sacrificed are believed to have ended their journey as animals in the cosmos, soon to be reincarnated as human beings.

Special prayers offered at the scene of the bombing near the Sari Club for the Pemarisudha Karipubhaya ceremony bade farewell to the souls of the dead, considered by the Balinese to be still dwelling near the site in a state of disembodied confusion. At the exact location of the bomb young pre-pubescent girls performed a haunting Rejang Dewa dance to the accompaniment of prayed chants and gamelan music - all combining to open a door for the departure of the victims' souls.

In keeping with the community's desire to make all events held in honor of the victims of the bombing inclusive, members of all nationalities and religions were encouraged and welcomed to participate in the solemn ceremonies.

51 relatives of the victims of the bombing, ranking Australian officials, foreign dignitaries including the U.S. and U.K. Ambassadors, and members of President Megawati's cabinet also joined in the ceremonies.

Bali - Get Into it!

BTB and Visa International Launch Promotion Program.

The Bali Tourism Board and Visa International have joined forces to launch a new logo and promotional theme program - "Bali - Get into It!" to help revitalize the island as a world tourism destination.

Presented as an additional program in support of the Government's efforts to restore health to Bali's tourism industry in the wake of the October 12^th terrorist attack, the "Bali - Get into It!" program hopes to build on the momentum of the coming December holidays and New Year to sustain high visitor flows to Bali.

Backed up by a "Bali - Get into It!" logo, the program, as explained by its formulators, operates on several levels of understanding. On its most superficial level, it represents a call to action - for visitors to soon visit the island. On another, deeper level the public is invited to immerse itself in Balinese culture, embracing Bali's rich spirit and culture.

Visa International has pledged a variety of unspecified support for the program using its worldwide network of merchants and 800,000 ATM's.

Ibu Gedong Bagoes Oka: 1921 - 2002

Bali Loses its Philosopher-Stateswoman.

Bali lost one of its most vibrant and colorful defenders with the death of Ibu Gedong Bagoes Oka at the age of 82 on Thursday, November 14, 2002.

Ibu Gedong passed away following a period of prolonged ill-health in Jakarta, where she was being cared for by members of her family.

Born in Karangasem, East Bali, Ibu Gedong was one of the first Balinese women to receive a liberal western education under the Dutch colonial rulers of Indonesia. After undergoig a primary and secondary education in Bali and Yogyakarta, she went on to study at the Christelijke Paedagogische Algemene Academy in Jakarta before earning a Bachelors Degree in English from the Udayana University in Bali in 1963. An educator both by training and inclination, Ibu Gedong, served as the Head of the SMA I High School in Bali from 1956-1964, when she moved to her alma mater where she taught in the English and Medical faculties of Udayana University until 1974.

Married in 1949 to a ranking Balinese government official, I Goesti Bagoes Oka, who preceded her in death, she is survived by six children.

An Ardent Disciple of Gandhi

An early exposure to Christian teachings and western philosophy while studying in Jakarta prompted Ibu Gedong on her life-long quest to discover the universal values of Hinduism. Following a visit to India in 1953 that included a period at the Gandhi Ashram, she dedicated herself to finding ways that Mahatma Gandhi's teachings could be applied to daily life. An activist in Balinese Hindu affairs, Ibu Gedong helped establish the Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) in 1963. She also founded the Bali Canti Sena Foundation in the early 1970's that published a magazine promoting the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Mahatma Gandi.

Ashram Gandhi Canti Dasa

One of the life works for which Ibu Gedong will be long remembered is the establishment of the Ashram Gandhi Canti Dasa in 1976. In the intervening years the Ashram has influenced countless young Balinese seeking a closer relationship with their religion and the teachings of Ghandi. Student staying at the sea-side center undertook a program of religious study, meditation, and thoughtful discussions on how best to be of service to their local community.

Internationally acknowledged as a devotee of Ghandi's philosophy, Ibu Gedong once served as the Vice-President of the World Council for Religion and Peace, headquartered in New York City, and was the recipient of numerous awards and citations for her many works.

Following the fall of the Suharto regime, Ibu Gedong also served as a member of the Indonesian Parliament (MPR) representing Bali.

Outspoken in her defense of Balinese cultural values, Ibu Gedong opposed a number of changes occurring in Bali. In a period when opposition to the established powers in Indonesia required substantial courage, she vehemently and publicly opposed the building of the Bali Nirwana Beach Resort and Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park.

Ibu Gedong Bagoes Oka remains will lay in state at Puri Kawan in Amlapura, Karangasem until her cremation there scheduled for Tuesday, November 26, 2002.

Baby Elephant Walk

Bali Offers Refuge to Threatened Pachyderms.

Bali Adventure Tours, the owners and operators of Bali's Elephant Safari Park in Taro, Central Bali, are mounting a rescue effort to save 10 rare and endangered female elephants from Riau province in Sumatra.

Suffering from dehydration and starvation occasioned by their competition with man for land and food, the herd of 10 elephants, including two baby elephants, will undergo an epic 6-day journey from deep in Sumatra's jungle to their new home in the foothills of Bali.

The Park's owners, Nigel and Yannie Mason, departed for Sumatra on November 16^th, scheduled to return to the park together with its newest residents on November 24. The rescue mission is being recorded by an international film team with their coverage concluding with the introduction of the herd to the existing family of 17 elephants who now make their home at the park. The documentary will eventually be shown to a worldwide TV audience of millions.

Expected to become the "darlings" of the coverage and upon their arrival at the park are the two "babies" of the herd, aged 1.5 and 2 years. The youngest of the two is an orphan measuring only one meter tall and is still hand fed by her handlers.

The shipment of 10 elephants from Sumatra represents a major logistical feat involving elaborate planning and preparation and a team of 30 people, including elephant handlers and veterinarians. Once the trip is completed the 10 elephants and their caretakers will have traversed 3 islands, used a convoy of busses and 5 long-haul trucks, twice traveled by sea on large ferries, carried over 9.000 kilograms of elephant food, and even employed a helicopter to bring the endangered Sumatran elephants to their new home in Bali.

More information: Visit the Elephant Safari Park

Pande Higher at Bali Hai

Pande Promoted to Bali Hai Sales Manager Role.

Bali Hai Cruises - the operator of luxury day cruises, day-sailing adventures, ocean rafting, evening dinner cruises, and a Nusa Lembongan beach resort have appointed I Pande Nyoman Gede Ardika to the position of Sales Manager.

Pande joined Bali Hai Cruises from its earliest days in 1990, working initially as a Receptionist/Reservationist. The Gianyar native and graduate of the Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Nusa Dua, quickly progressed through his career with Bali Hai working progressively as a Head Receptionist, Sales Executive, and a Senior Sales Executive before this latest promotion.

Pande replaces Christine Lindsay who has left the popular day-cruise operator to assume a senior sales position with a Bali hotel resort.

More information: E-Mail Pande with a Note of Congratulations!

Lauda Quits Bali

Island Loses Vienna Air Link.

Lauda Air has cancelled its once a week flight from Bangkok to Bali, severing the island's air link with Vienna, Austria.

The massive drop in Austrian holiday bookings to Bali were reportedly WHAT prompted the cancellation of the service.

Meanwhile, an apparent increase in bookings to Thailand from Austria have caused Lauda Air to increase their flights from Vienna to Bangkok from six to eight times each week.

A Comeback for Paradise

Bali's First Airline Aims for February Take Off.

The October 12^th terrorist attack on Bali compelled Paradise International Air to abruptly cancel its scheduled commencement of Air service between Melbourne and Perth set for October 27^th, causing the carrier to refund some 10,000 tickets sold for its inaugural services.

The airline's management have now announced that service will commence February 16, 2003.

Initial services will connect Bali to Perth four times a week and to Melbourne four times every week.

Dutch Ditch Travel Warning

Dutch Government Lifts Indonesian Travel Warning.

The Dutch Calamietencommissie, the government agency charged with dealing with disasters, formally lifted their negative travel advisory for Indonesia on November 11, 2002, less than one month after the terrorist bombing which caused bureaucrats in Den Haag to defer all travel to Bali and Indonesia.

The Calamietencommissie is comprised of representatives from the Dutch Department of Foreign Affairs, Dutch travel bureaus, and the Dutch Motoring Association (ANWB).

The revised travel advisory reflects the Dutch official consideration that the situation following the bombing of October 12^th has improved sufficiently to allow Dutch subjects to safely visit most areas of Indonesia, including Bali, and permit Dutch nationals to purchase travel insurance for their Indonesian holidays.

Virgins with Wings

Oz Virgin Blue Airline Renews Promise of Bali Flights.

Flamboyant British businessman, Richard Branson has reiterated his intent to expand his domestic Australian budget air carrier - Virgin Blue into international service in the Austral-Asian region.

Good News for Bali

Repeating a long-standing commitment to make Bali among the first destinations outside Australia that Virgin Blue wishes to serve, Branson was quoted, saying, "I think it is very sad to see that it is now empty of tourists and yet it is just as likely that a bomber could strike anywhere in the world."

In a related development, many Australian travel agents are reporting difficulties in obtaining seat confirmations for flights from Australia's major cities to Bali. Both Garuda Indonesia and Qantas cut back their Bali flights following the October 12^th terrorist attack on Bali and the subsequent travel advisory issued by the Australian government directing to its nationals to defer non-essential travel to Bali. That warning was recently down-graded and is no-longer Bali specific.

Garuda - Endangered in Europe?

National Carrier Becoming a Rare Bird in Europe.

If one of the goals of the terrorists who attacked a Bali nightspot on October 12^th was to deliver a death blow to the financially-troubled Indonesian national carrier, recent decisions by the airline's management may indicate the terrorists have scored a dramatic victory. Garuda Indonesia's worldwide network is shrinking at an extraordinary rate.

Following on the heels of decisions by the airline to cease flights to Rome, Frankfurt, and Paris, Garuda has just announced its intention to stop flying to London, effective January 2003. Citing load factors averaging 40% and well below the stated break-even level of 70%, Garuda's General Manager for Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain made the latest announcement on Wednesday, November 13, 2002. The airline's Frankfurt service was withdrawn on November 14, 2002.

Only Holland Left

The widespread curtailment of Garuda flights from Europe leave them with Amsterdam as the sole remaining European hub served by the Indonesian airline. In an arrangement with KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines, Indonesian-bound passengers traveling on Garuda utilize KLM's extensive European route network to connect to their Indonesian bound flights over Amsterdam's Schipol airport.

Under Constant Review

Garuda has promised to keep their European service under constant review, re-introducing cancelled services when and if market conditions permit.