U.S. and UK warns of more attacks
U.S. and UK warns of more attacks
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The United States and Britain on Tuesday reissued warnings for
their citizens not to visit Indonesia, after bomb attacks in
downtown Jakarta and the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Citing the continued "high risk of terrorism directed against
westerners throughout the country", the British embassy warned
against all non-essential travel to Indonesia.
"There continues to be a high risk of terrorism directed
against Westerners throughout the country. If you are already in
Indonesia you should consider leaving if your presence is not
essential," the travel advisory said.
One low-yield bomb went off near the United Nations mission in
Central Jakarta last Thursday, but caused little damage and no
casualties.
Investigators believe it could be linked to last Sunday's bomb
explosion at the Jakarta airport, which injured at least 11
people, and another in Medan, North Sumatra.
National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Monday that
the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), a secessionist movement fighting
for the independence of the oil-rich province, was behind the
airport bombing, though GAM have denied any link to the attack.
Speculation remains that the Indonesian Military (TNI) or the
regional terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), believed
responsible for the devastating Bali terrorist attack last year,
could be behind the incidents.
The U.S. government also renewed its warning, urging its
citizens to defer nonessential travel to Indonesia although the
U.S. State Department allowed the return of its staff and their
family members early this month.
The U.S. government withdrew non-essential staff from
Indonesia following the Bali attack, which claimed 202 mostly
foreign lives.
The travel advisory issued on April 28 said that a series of
bombings over the past two-and-a-half years had struck religious,
political and business targets throughout Indonesia.
"The U.S. government believes extremist elements may be
planning additional attacks targeting U.S. interests in
Indonesia, particularly U.S. government officials and facilities.
As security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists
will seek softer targets," the advisory said.
The British embassy concurred, saying: "We continue to receive
information that indicates extremists may be planning additional
attacks targeting Western interests."
The U.S. and British governments issued a number of similar
warnings after the Bali bombings.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri recently called on foreign
governments to lift the warnings, which affected the country's
tourism industry.
Arguing that the country's security situation was under
control, the Indonesian government had launched protests over
such travel warning.
The authorities gained international credit for the arrests of
most of the alleged Bali terrorists. Trials are expected to start
next month.
"Despite the efforts of the Indonesian government, the threat
from terrorism has not been eliminated," the British advisory
said.