U.S. diplomat families return to Indonesia

U.S. diplomat families return to Indonesia

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As security conditions in the country continue to improve, the
United States allowed on Friday family members of U.S. diplomats
to return to Indonesia, after they had been ordered to leave last
year following the Bali bombings.

The State Department warned, however, that the country was
still not safe for Americans and that its citizens should defer
nonessential travel here.

"We are expecting as early as next week to start welcoming
family members of U.S. diplomats working here," said embassy
spokesperson Greta M. Morris.

Around 200 family members and nearly 300 nonessential
government staff were pulled out of the world's most populous
Muslim country after terrorist attacks on the famed resort island
last October killed 202 people, mostly foreigners.

Nonessential staff were also told this month they could
return.

Morris said the U.S. government took notice of efforts made by
the Indonesian government in ensuring security for its embassy
and other interests.

"The U.S. government considered that the Indonesian government
has been taking serious measures on protecting U.S. facilities
and its citizens, and that the Indonesian government has taken a
firm action against terrorism," Morris said.

Indonesia, previously criticized for dragging its heels in the
war on terror, has won widespread praise for its investigation
into the Bali attacks. So far, 29 men have been arrested in
connection with the case.

In another sign of solid progress, police this week said they
had captured a man they identified as the new spiritual leader of
the Southeast Asian terror network, Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), and
had arrested 17 more JI members.

The U.S. State Department also downgraded its travel advisory
for Indonesia this week, saying American citizens should defer
all nonessential travel to Indonesia, instead of all travel.

Friday's announcement said there was still a risk of strikes
by JI and other groups on Americans or American interests in the
country.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Thursday that
Indonesia had finally awakened to the threat of terrorism within
its borders.

The United States imposed fierce pressure on the government of
President Megawati Soekarnoputri to crack down on terror suspects
after launching its war on terrorism after the September 11
attacks, and redoubled its efforts after the Bali bombing.