If poverty really does cause terrorism — a common assumption that has been thoroughly debunked in study after study — then this should send terrorism in Indonesia. “Indonesia pays former terrorists to give up violent jihad,” by Mark Dunn in The Daily Telegraph, June 28:
KEY terrorists involved in the 2002 Bali bombing and the attack on Australia’s embassy are being paid cash incentives by Indonesia to turn their backs on extremism.
Three former senior Jemaah Islamiah operatives, Abu Dujana, Nasir Abbas and Ali Imron, have received financial incentives, including small cash payments, mobile phones and accommodation for their families, to “de-radicalise” them, according to terrorism expert Carl Ungerer.
And US security analyst Zachary Abuza has revealed that other JI terrorists and footsoldiers who have been, or remain, in jail are having their food and children’s tuition fees paid for in an attempt to convince them to renounce violent jihad….
“They were small [payments] — at first tuition money for kids, then for uniforms, food, and even some travel for families to visit their incarcerated relatives,” Dr Abuza said.
“As far as I know, everyone going through the [de-radicalisation] program and co-operating is getting some aid, not just the big names.
“I am very sceptical of these programs as they are simply attempts to wean these guys off terrorism. They are still very radical and intolerant in their beliefs.”
What a shock!
But he said some payments had helped challenge JI’s radical teachings. “The [Indonesian] Government has helped them publish memoirs and other tracts to counter the jihadi narrative,” Dr Abuza said.
“It is important to support the families to get them out of, or away from, JI’s social infrastructure.
“Families have been the key of the success — if it means conjugal visits, or jail house marriages or some small payments to families and it leads to guys renouncing terrorism, it’s OK.”…
Dr Ungerer said “incentives” such as food, accommodation and payments of several thousand dollars to key JI imams or leaders was aimed at addressing perceived “economic grievances” which may be a factor in those individuals’ extremist views.
We’ll see.