Foreign scholars leave RI

A number of American and Australian scholars have left Indonesia for home after their research projects were canceled following the devastating Bali bomb attack.

An official at the U.S. Embassy who requested anonymity said on Tuesday that one of the 25 American scholars here under the Fullbright scholarship must return to the U.S. as her sponsor canceled the program. The other scholars, however, will stay and the Fullbright program would still continue, he added.

Separately, Australian Embassy spokesman Geoffrey Leach said the exodus of students was caused by safety reasons.

"But agencies in Australia have never ordered the students to return home. They went back because of our travel warning," he said.

However, no fellows will be sent to Indonesia under the exchange of journalists involving Australia and Asian countries sponsored by Medialink until the situation here was safe, he added. -- JP