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.