Embassies urge their citizens to beware<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON (Agencies): The United States, Australia and
\nFrance, citing riots, looting and other security threats, have
\nurged their citizens traveling in Indonesia to be careful and
\navoid demonstrations.<\/p>\n
The U.S. embassy in Jakarta told U.S. citizens to exercise
\ncaution and seek advice before undertaking inter-city road travel
\nin the country, noting "an increasing pattern of security threats
\nand disturbances" affecting road travel in West Java, which it
\nsaid could spread to other areas.<\/p>\n
In addition, continuing riots and looting in some parts of the
\ncountry increased the possibility of "increased tension and
\ncriminal activity arising from economic uncertainty in
\nIndonesia," it added.<\/p>\n
As a result, "American citizens should exercise prudence and
\ncommon sense and avoid demonstrations and other situation that
\ncould turn violent," the embassy said in a public announcement to
\nbe issued in Indonesia on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Additionally, it urged U.S. citizens to register with the U.S.
\nembassy in Jakarta or the consulates in Surabaya or Bali.<\/p>\n
More information was available on the embassy home page at
\nhttp:\/\/www.usembassyJakarta.org.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the Australian ambassador to Indonesia has warned
\nAustralians to take extra safety precautions because of civil
\nunrest linked to the financial turmoil, AP reported from
\nCanberra.<\/p>\n
John McCarthy said Australians should exercise an "extra
\nmeasure of caution," when traveling outside Jakarta and the
\nholiday island of Bali.<\/p>\n
"Unpleasant things are happening in Indonesia and people
\nshould be careful to avoid that," McCarthy told Australian
\nBroadcasting Corp. radio.<\/p>\n
McCarthy said that foreigners had not yet been targeted in the
\nviolence, but public transport in Java should be avoided, "and
\ncommon sense should be applied in avoiding large crowds."<\/p>\n
"Clearly the situation is volatile -- let's not mess about," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The French embassy in Jakarta also officially cautioned its
\ncitizens over growing security concerns in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
A statement issued by the embassy in Jakarta said that because
\nof "developments, particularly in Java, Sulawesi, Lombok, Flores
\nand Sumatra" it felt driven "to call on French nationals to be
\ncautious when traveling in the provinces".<\/p>\n
"Within Jakarta, a measure of basis caution is recommended,"
\nthe statement said, adding that certain districts were more
\nsusceptible to trouble than others.<\/p>\n
Eight districts of Jakarta, including Chinatown, the old town
\ncenter and commercial district and the modern center to the south
\nof the capital, figured on the list of potential trouble hot
\nspots.<\/p>\n
The warning, which was issued through French community
\nleaders, was "a routine measure in any period of tension", a
\nFrench diplomat said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/embassies-urge-their-citizens-to-beware-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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