U.S., Britain advise their citizens to avoid travel to war-torn Aceh<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The United States and Britain have warned their citizens not to
\nenter war-torn Aceh, and suggested that those who are already
\nthere leave the province immediately.<\/p>\n
Citing the increasing tension due to the military offensive
\nagainst Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels, both governments also
\nsuggested that non-essential travel to Indonesia be postponed.<\/p>\n
\"American citizens are strongly urged to avoid traveling to
\nAceh and those already present should leave immediately,\" said
\nthe travel warning issued by the U.S. State Department on June
\n12.<\/p>\n
The warning, however, did not specifically mention American
\njournalist William Nessen, who is currently embedded with GAM and
\nhas been given an ultimatum by the military in Aceh to part ways
\nwith the rebels by 6 p.m. Saturday.<\/p>\n
The military said on Friday that should Nessen still be with
\nthe rebels after the deadline passed, the military could not
\nguarantee his safety should troops attack the rebel base where he
\nwas staying.<\/p>\n
The U.S. warning reiterated that the ongoing military
\noperation in Aceh posed new security threats in Indonesia,
\nalready beset by the threat of terrorist attacks.<\/p>\n
\"There is potential for violence and unrest; both can erupt
\nwith little forewarning.\"<\/p>\n
In its extended travel warning, the U.S. government also said
\nthat its offices in Indonesia \"may suspend service to the public,
\nor close, because of security concerns.\"<\/p>\n
Britain also suggested its citizens postpone unnecessary
\ntravel to Indonesia and those already in Indonesia should
\nconsider leaving if their presence is not essential.<\/p>\n
It noted that violence had increased in Aceh since the
\nimposition of martial law in the province on May 19. The shooting
\nof two German citizens in Aceh on June 4 and the subsequent death
\nof one of them underlined the unstable security situation.<\/p>\n
\"British nationals should avoid travel to Aceh, and those
\nalready there should leave,\" the warning said.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government has warned foreigners, including
\nhumanitarian aid workers, to stay out of Aceh.<\/p>\n
Jakarta is slated to issue a regulation on the banning of
\nforeigners from Aceh. In the case of foreign journalists,
\nhowever, special arrangements will be made to allow them to
\ncontinue covering the military operation, albeit under tight
\ngovernment control.<\/p>\n
The British government also warned British vessels against
\napproaching Aceh waters as the Indonesian authorities had imposed
\na 12-nautical mile exclusion zone around Aceh for foreign ships.<\/p>\n
\"British vessels are advised to avoid the exclusive zone,\" the
\nwarning underlined.<\/p>\n
The extended travel warnings from foreign governments paint a
\ngloomy picture of the security situation in Indonesia, and may be
\nexpected to further depress the tourist industry in the country.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has repeatedly urged foreign
\ngovernments to lift the travel warnings against Indonesia.
\nHowever, most of the countries concerned stress their obligation
\nto warn their citizens of the unstable security situation here.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-britain-advise-their-citizens-to-avoid-travel-to-war-torn-aceh-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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