Britain-and U.S. expands travel warning for Indonesia
Britain-and U.S. expands travel warning for Indonesia
Agencies, Washington/London
The United States and Britain on Monday expanded their warning
to their citizens about terrorist threats in Indonesia, saying
that attacks may be imminent and adding resorts to a list of
potential targets.
The U.S. embassy in Jakarta said U.S. citizens should be
"particularly vigilant in the immediate future" and reminded them
that threats in Indonesia continued to exist outside the capital
and tourist locations on the island of Bali, the site of a deadly
bombing on Oct. 12.
"Americans should avoid large gatherings and locations known
to cater to a foreign clientele, including but not limited to
resorts, tourist sights, nightclubs, bars, restaurants and places
of worship," it said in a notice to U.S. citizens in Indonesia.
Monday's warning said that a threat of attack -- first
mentioned by the embassy on Sept. 19 -- also remained in
Yogyakarta, in Central Java and other areas in the vicinity.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told the parliament in
London: "In the light of additional intelligence assessed this
morning, I am strengthening the travel advice still further by
giving additional warnings about threats to UK nationals at
specific locations in Indonesia."
Britain's new caution listed Bali, Jakarta, Balikpapan,
Surabaya and Yogyakarta as particularly dangerous for Britons and
said the Jakarta suburbs of Kota, Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Taman Anggrek,
Pasar Baru and Pasar Senen should be avoided at all costs.
"Further attacks cannot be ruled out," Straw said.
The flurry of new warnings for Indonesia follows the Oct. 12
bombing of two tourist bars in Bali, that killed at least 184
people, mostly foreigners, and injured more than 300.
The American death toll in the Bali bomb attack is believed to
have reached seven, with two identified and five others
unidentified but presumed dead, a U.S consular official said
Monday.
However, Thomas C. Daniels said that figure could go higher,
since 45 Americans are listed as missing since the Oct. 12 blast.
Eleven Britons are confirmed dead with another 22 missing
presumed killed in the nightclub blast.
Australians are believed to top the lists of the victims of
the Bali bombs.
On Sunday, Australia issued a new travel warning on Indonesia
for the fourth time.
In this latest report, the Australian Foreign Ministry added
resorts outside major cities and historical and cultural
locations including Borobudur to the list of areas to be avoided.