Unplugged: Jakarta Bombings and Al Qaeda's Involvement
Early Friday morning twin bombs exploded in western hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, killing at least eight people. On "Washington Unplugged" Friday afternoon, CBS News National Security Consultant Juan Zarate told Justice Correspondent Bob Orr "this has all of the trademarks if Jemmah Islamia."
Since 2005, Zarate said, the Indonesian government has been able to successfully crack down on "J.I.", or Jemmah Islamia, a terrorist cell associated with Al Qaeda. But "you still have cells out there," he warned. "J.I. is down but it is not out."
Zarate noted that the group's spiritual leader has recently been freed from detainment.
"It's important for folks to remember that this is part of the broader global ideological movement that Al Qaeda purports to lead and Jemmah Islamia sees itself as the Southeast Asian outpost for that strategy," he explained.
Zarate said the discovery of materials used to make the bombs at the site is "absolutely" helpful for investigators. He noted that one of the J.I.'s primary bomb makers may be behind this handiwork and if the investigators confirm this was his work they will be "very worried...because it will suggest that he is not only active but he is part of the plotting of the attacks."
Since 2005, Zarate said, the Indonesian government has been able to successfully crack down on "J.I.", or Jemmah Islamia, a terrorist cell associated with Al Qaeda. But "you still have cells out there," he warned. "J.I. is down but it is not out."
Zarate noted that the group's spiritual leader has recently been freed from detainment.
"It's important for folks to remember that this is part of the broader global ideological movement that Al Qaeda purports to lead and Jemmah Islamia sees itself as the Southeast Asian outpost for that strategy," he explained.
Zarate said the discovery of materials used to make the bombs at the site is "absolutely" helpful for investigators. He noted that one of the J.I.'s primary bomb makers may be behind this handiwork and if the investigators confirm this was his work they will be "very worried...because it will suggest that he is not only active but he is part of the plotting of the attacks."
