Bush bound for bomb-scarred Bali

BALI, Indonesia — President Bush visited the front lines of the war against terrorism today, stopping on this bomb-scarred island to support Indonesia's struggle against al-Qaida-linked groups. Security officials were nervous about Bush's safety.

At least 5,000 police and army troops were deployed for Bush's visit, which was limited to just three hours because of security concerns. Bush and first lady Laura Bush waved and smiled as they stepped off Air Force One into bright sunshine. The president's armored limousine waited for him about 20 feet away.

Warships patrolled the seas, military forces in high-speed rubber rafts traced his arrival path and armored vehicles were stationed at the airport, which was closed to commercial flights during Bush's visit.

A year ago, militants belonging to the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group blew up two Bali nightclubs, killing 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, in the largest terror attack since Sept. 11, 2001. On Monday, Indonesia's security minister warned that a fresh attack was imminent.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, is considered a key home base for terror groups, with about 2,000 of Jemaah Islamiyah's estimated 3,000 members believed to be there.

Bush's visit to Bali was intended as a gesture of support — both symbolic and financial — for President Megawati Sukarnoputri's efforts to battle terrorism and curb the influence of radical, anti-Western Muslims. He was meeting with moderate Muslim religious leaders to address criticism of U.S. policy in the Mideast.

The Bush administration says Megawati has taken effective steps against terrorism, particularly since the Bali bombings. About 100 Jemaah Islamiyah members have been arrested and 29 people connected with the Bali bombings have been convicted.

However, Jemaah Islamiyah has been able to regroup, appointing dozens of people to carry out new attacks on Western targets in Asia between December and April, a senior Indonesian intelligence adviser told The Associated Press. The organization also has filled the leadership vacuum created by the arrest of Riduan Isamuddin Hambali, a key figure in the Bali bombing and Osama bin Laden's alleged point man in Asia, with a new operations chief and top bomb makers, intelligence officials said.

Bush's trip to Singapore also was intended to reward an ally for anti-terror efforts. Singapore has arrested more than 30 suspected Islamic militants since 2001 on suspicion of plotting to blow up the U.S. Embassy and other Western targets. Meeting with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Bush praised him as a wise leader.