Imam Samudra denies plotting Bali attack

But Samudra confirmed that Westerners were the target of the two nightspot blasts that killed 202 people from 21 countries, and expressed no remorse.

"I knew that in the Sari club they are all bules (white people)... from America and their allies," he said, giving evidence in Amrozi's trial.

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A relaxed Samudra, who is on trial separately, said that "Bali was (decided) only after Amrozi told us about it.

"I myself was planning to bomb the US embassy or the US consulate and did not think about Bali at all," he said.

Samudra also denied he was involved in field operations. "I left the matter to Amrozi because he knows Indonesia better... he is my senior," he added.

Amrozi disputed Samudra's testimony, which differs markedly from past accounts of the conspiracy.

"On the matter of being the one suggesting the idea, that is too high for me. That was not me, I did not even graduate from school," Amrozi said after Samudra had finished testifying.

A defence lawyer has quoted Samudra as saying he was the sole mastermind of last October's blasts.

Prosecutors say Samudra, 33, masterminded the bombings, picked the targets and assigned Amrozi to buy one tonne of bomb-making chemicals and a van to carry a bomb.

"We have an underground nature, so there is no hierarchy. Everyone automatically knows what they have to do," Samudra said of his fellow bombers, referring to them only as mujahideen (holy warriors) and making no mention of JI.

He also withdrew some statements he had made to police and denied that he and other suspects including Amrozi had met to prepare the bombing plans.

Samudra said he did not expect the bombs, which killed 38 Indonesians, to kill anyone but Americans and their allies.

Questioned by judges, Samudra said he "never gave an order or duties to anyone" but added: "In a moral way I had responsibility."