Radicals' aid camp raises fears

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — An extremist Islamic group with alleged links to al-Qaida has set up a relief camp in the tsunami-stricken Aceh province on Sumatra island, raising concerns its fiercely anti-American members could stir up sentiment against U.S. and Australian troops helping to distribute aid.

The group, Laskar Mujahidin, posted an English-language sign at the camp that reads, "Islamic Law Enforcement."

The presence of the group, known for killing Christians during a long-running sectarian conflict in another part of Indonesia, generated fears that U.S. military personnel and others involved in relief work could become a terror target.

News of the group's involvement surfaced as the U.S. and other donor countries concluded an emergency one-day summit on the disaster. On Thursday, relief workers scrambled to move aid to areas of Sumatra, the Indonesian island hit hardest by the earthquake and giant waves that crashed ashore Dec. 26. Volunteers hurled sacks of rice and instant noodles into trucks as U.S. helicopters loaded with other supplies buzzed overhead en route to isolated communities.

Regarding Laskar Mujahidin's involvement in relief efforts, U.S., Australian and South Korean government officials said they were aware of security threats in the region and were taking precautions. One major aid agency said its staff had been ordered not to fly in U.S. helicopters.

Analysts said Islamic terrorists would be foolish to try to attack anyone helping the hundreds of thousands of tsunami victims because it could result in aid groups pulling out and sour the militants' chances of building popular support.

But they warned that radical groups entering the disaster zone to help in the relief effort would also try to stoke anti-Western sentiment.

Ship-based U.S. Navy and Marine helicopter crews have flown scores of missions to coastal villages in recent days, delivering food and water and sometimes bringing injured survivors to the Banda Aceh airport. The Americans have been welcomed with gratitude.

Lt. Cmdr. John Daniel, a spokesman for the USS Abraham Lincoln battle group, said helicopter crews were not taking special security precautions and that the Indonesian military — which has long fought separatist rebels in Aceh — was helping with security.

"We feel safe with the Indonesian military there," Daniel said. "We are cautious, but we're not doing anything special."