Thousands mourn Bali bomb victims

Friends and relatives of Bali bombing victims attend the dedication ceremony for the Bali Memorial at Dolphins Point on Sydney's Coogee Beach to mark the first anniversary of the Bali bombings in which 202 people died, including 88 Australians on October 12, 2002. The interlocking bronze sculpture was the work of Australian artist Sasha Reid and signifies family, friends and community bowed in sorrow and remembrance as they embrace and comfort each other. Photo: AFP

"We haven't forgotten you. We never will," Australian Prime Minister John Howard said of the dead at the tightly guarded multi-faith service on the Indonesian holiday island.

President Megawati Sukarnoputri stayed away. But several hundred other Indonesians including top security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono joined more than 600 Australians and people from numerous other nations in the emotional commemoration under a scorching sun.

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Seats were almost full, despite fears of further attacks by the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) extremist network which authorities say has some links to al-Qaeda.

Australian armed forces chaplains conducted the service. It began with the Australian and Indonesian national anthems in a park beneath towering bougainvillea-clad rocks, not far from the scene of the attacks on Kuta's tourist strip.

Then 22 candles were lit at a small "pool of remembrance" to symbolise the countries whose nationals died. Australia suffered the worst, with 88 fatalities.

The service included Christian scripture readings and hymns along with Islamic and Hindu prayers to express a united determination to fight terror.

Former Australian consul general in Bali, Ross Tysoe, spent 13 minutes reading out the names of the dead. "May they rest in peace," he said.

Guitarist John Williamson played Waltzing Matilda, Australia's unofficial anthem.

Families of victims and survivors wept and embraced each other as they cast frangipani leaves into the pool of remembrance to end the service.

Howard said the tragedy brought Indonesia and Australia closer together.

"We've also learned that we in this part of the world must make common cause to fight the scourge of terrorism," he said over the hysterical sobs of one mourner.

He said nothing could compensate families for their loss, "but it is a loss that with the passage of time and the support and love of your fellow countrymen and women, can be made perhaps a little easier to bear."

The dead included 38 Indonesians and 22 Britons. JI staged the attack to avenge what it saw as Western oppression of Muslims worldwide.

Indonesian police, with crucial help from Australian investigators, have caught 34 people and put most of them on trial.

Three have been sentenced to death by firing squad. Others have been given long jail terms.

"Make no mistake: We will hunt them down," Yudhoyono said. "These diabolical men and their brand of evil simply have no place in our society."

Yudhoyono's words gave solace to Simon Quayle, 34, coach of the Kingsley Cats Australian rules football club which lost seven members.

"I thought the Indonesian fella's words were very comforting ... they've done a wonderful job, the Indonesians overall ... they're our brothers now so it's great," he told AFP with an Australian flag draped over his shoulder.

Senior Chaplain Richard Thompson urged mourners not to live as victims.

"If we live as victims then the terrorists have beaten us," he said.

Armed troops were posted on giant rocks overlooking the service and about 2,000 police were deployed in the Kuta area.