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" Greetings from Bali”

It was a night that one could not forget. Exactly two months after the tragedy in Bali, Indonesia, that brought a response of shock, anger and disbelief from all over the world.  On Thursday evening, December 12, 2002 a lavish cultural event called “Greetings from Bali” was held at the United Nations Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium to commemorate the event.  Sponsored by the UN Secretariat and the Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations. The Indonesian Mission brought along about 50 Indonesian and American artists to perform on that evening. 

The evening started off with a reception that offered Indonesian cuisine at the foyer of the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, and as co-host were Charge d’Affairs of Indonesia, Ambassador Mochammad Slamet Hidayat, and the Under Secretary-General for Development, Economic, and Social Agency, Mr. Nitin Desai. Over 100 Ambassadors, Mission and UN Secretariat staff and other invitees attended the reception and immediately followed by the performance at the auditorium which was packed.  

Opening up the performance was a “purification ceremony,” which was meant as a symbol to purified the tragedy and cast away the evil spirits which may cause it to happen.  The performers which include musicians and dancers are  made up of mostly Indonesians and some Americans which they have performed together on many occasions.  The stage was designed with a Balinese look, complete with traditional gamelan music and Balinese scenery.  Members of Permanent Missions and some United Nations staff that were recently in Bali for the PrepCom Conference on WSSD last June were among the delighted spectators.  Bali is considered to be ideal place for conferences and seminars, and the United Nations has often conduct such successful activities there. 

Bali is one of amongst than 17.000 islands of the archipelago state of Indonesia.  It is a paradise pearl that offers to the world a rich natural beauty, arts, culture and spiritual traditions. The tragedy may have disrupted various activities in Bali, but it did not and has not quenched the spirit of the Balinese people to strive for peace on their island, and again welcome with pride tourists from the world over. 

The Charge d’Affaires of Indonesia to the United Nations, Ambassador Slamet Hidayat, said that the barbaric acts caused by the tragedy cannot be justified by any moral, ideology or religions.  He continued to point out that two months after the tragedy, there were signs that the resort island was returning to normalcy. Appropriate and swift actions by the Indonesian security forces had resulted in the apprehension of prime suspects who, he said, would soon face trial, and pay the consequences of their crime.  Ambassador Hidayat also said that tourism had started to pick up again, and that tourist confidence was on the rise.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan described the terrorist attacks against Bali as an attack against humanity itself. 

“This island of heart-bursting-beauty and serenity, open to all peoples and cultures, was struck by a blow so deliberate, malicious and destructive, that we were left struggling to grasp its significances,” he said in a statement, which was read by Mr. Nitin Desai.

He called on the audience to see the event of the evening as an opportunity to reassert the freedom of people from every faith, culture and nation to meet and mingle in mutual respect and tolerance, for that is the freedom that Bali symbolizes.

Other remarks were also made by the Australian Ambassador, John Dauth, who read the 20 nationals and more who were victims of the Bali bombing.  Australia had the highest number of casualties.  He cited that this indiscriminate barbaric acts underscores he importance of cooperation by all States in the struggle against terrorism.

Mr. Nitin Desai himself had promised that he would like to revisit Bali, and he encouraged other members of the audience to do the same.  On behalf of the United Nations Secretariat, he presented to Ambassador Hidayat a plaque intended for the people of Bali, and could be incorporated as a memorial on the site in Bali.

In other events commemorating the terrorist attacks, the United Nations in cooperation with the Indonesian Mission to the United Nations, opened a register/book of condolences in the main lobby of the Secretariat building from 11 to 13 December.  A photo exhibition of Bali tragedy and Bali beatiful scenery donated by the Indonesian News Agency, ANTARA, was also held in the Secretariat lobby during the period.