Indonesia wants foreign travel advisories rectified

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda asked on Tuesday the United States, Britain and Australia to correct their travel advice for Indonesia, saying that information on terrorist threats and possible violence during anti-war rallies here were groundless.

Speaking to reporters after national security talks here, Hassan said the warnings were an "overreaction".

"Our police have followed up on the information, and they said that it was not true.

"Those countries also warned their citizens of possible violence targeting them should rallies across the nation turn ugly. But up till now, such rallies have run peacefully," Hassan said.

The talks were hosted by Coordinating Minister for Security and Political Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Also in attendance were defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil and dozens of public figures, ranging from intellectuals to Muslim clerics.

Citing a reliable source, Australia warned its citizens on Saturday of possible terrorist attacks on Westerners in Surabaya.

Also on Saturday, the United States renewed its existing terrorism-related warning for U.S. citizens in Indonesia to consider leaving due to possible retaliatory attacks for the war in Iraq.

The State Department, echoing concerns first raised by the U.S. and British embassies in Jakarta on Thursday and Friday, said the conflict in Iraq would likely inflame anger in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Separately, National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said the information on a possible terrorist attack came from the Australian Federal Police.

"We followed up the information and conducted a search of passengers on a vessel, but found no indication of terrorists onboard," Da'i said.

He was referring Friday's police search of KM Tidar at Surabaya port for terror suspects.

Susilo said police would take immediate action to prevent terrorist attacks even though he said that "information about such threats is baseless."

The minister held a meeting with Indonesian Military Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar and National Intelligence Agency chief A.M. Hendropriyono to discuss the issue.

"I can ensure you that information about terrorist threats was negative. There are no indications about that... Nevertheless, we are going to take firm action against civilian groups who threaten to harass Westerners here," Susilo said.

The government, he added, was obliged to protect foreigners and foreign properties.

Jakarta Police on Tuesday declared 10 members of the Islamic Youth Movement suspects for allegedly targeting Westerners after an antiwar rally in Central Jakarta.

Susilo said opposition to the U.S.-led military attack on Iraq should not be followed by violence.

Meanwhile, National Police deputy spokesman Sr. Comr. Zainuri Lubis said the police had had no complaints from foreigners in the wake of antiwar rallies.

Citing a report from Banten Police, Zainuri said some 720 foreigners staying in the province refused to leave the country.

The police are focusing security efforts in Jakarta, Surabaya, Java, Yogyakarta, Medan and Bali.