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akarta: An American survivor of the 2002 Bali bombing testified on Thursday at the trial of terrorist suspect Umar Patek, saying he was approached by a group of smiling men cursing America just before the bombing 10 years ago.

Steven William Cabler told the West Jakarta District Court that a few days before the bombing, he was approached by four men. One of them spat in his face and cursed him.

He said “Why are the Americans trying to kill Saddam Hussein? Why are they in Iraq and Afghanistan?”

Cabler was one of four survivors testifying at the trial. The other three are Australians. Eighty-eight Australians were among the 202 people killed in the Oct. 12, 2002 nightclub bombing.

Assisted by a translator, Cabler said he was vacationing in Indonesia for two months. He was at Paddy’s Bar with an Indonesian friend named John and an American childhood friend of 25 years named Steven Webster when the first of two bombs detonated. Cabler and his friends were celebrating Webster’s birthday.

The explosion caused the roof to fall on Webster. He tried to help his friend, but it was too hot. He was helped by “a foreigner in a white hat” and was taken to safety. Webster was among seven Americans killed in the bombing.

“Inside the bar was like being in the eye of a hurricane,” Cabler said.

“I have no compassion for the people who committed this crime,” he added.

“I love this country and have much respect for the people and the culture,” he said. (/png)