Jakarta – There is increasing concern that Saudi billionaire Osama bin Laden and his terrorist organisation are looking to Indonesia as a potential springboard for their operations. Indonesian and foreign military and government officials were concerned that such operations could include targeting foreign, particularly US, interests in Indonesia or using it as a launching pad for activities elsewhere, said The Australian yesterday.

Quoting Indonesian officials, the newspaper said concerns over terrorism and the activities of Osama's organisation were raised during talks between Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri and US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, who was in Jakarta early last month. The Australian said the issue could also be on the agenda during talks in Washington between Ms Megawati and her US counterpart, George W. Bush, later this month.

A top Indonesian military officer has also warned that the country could expect an increase in foreign terrorist activities over the next three years. It could involve attempts to recruit Indonesian militants into international terrorism, he added. "The chances are very high that in the next three years, we will fight terrorism, specifically international terrorism that enters Indonesia," said deputy chief of the army, Lieutenant-General Kiki Syahnakri. "We also received information from America, as well as other parties, of Osama bin Laden's presence in Indonesia," he told The Australian in an interview.

Osama has been accused of masterminding a string of attacks against US targets around the world. Lt-Gen Syahnakri's warning was endorsed at the weekend by the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs James Kelly.

He said he would "certainly share the caution" of the Indonesian authorities over the potential terrorist threat. The Indonesian military has also disclosed that it was planning to step up counter-terrorist training. Lt-Gen Syahnakri said Indonesia was hoping to strengthen co-operation with US agencies, including the FBI and the CIA.

There have been several bomb blasts in Indonesia in recent months and all of them have been attributed to home-grown groups. Last month, the US embassy in Jakarta fuelled concerns about terrorist activity in Indonesia when it said that extremist elements might be planning to target US interests in the country, including tourists. The State Department advised American citizens to defer all non-essential travel to the country.