U.S. warns citizens of RI threat

U.S. warns citizens of RI threat

JAKARTA (AP): The U.S. government has called on its citizens
in Indonesia to take precautions after it received information
that extremists may be planning to target American interests in
the country.

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta said on Saturday that extremists
may particularly target U.S. government facilities, and could
also extend to U.S. tourists and tour groups.

The U.S. consul said in a statement, which is also available
at the U.S. Embassy website http//www.usembassyjakarta.org that
American citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance
and to take appropriate steps to reduce their vulnerability.

"Americans in Indonesia should maintain a low profile, vary
routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and
packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion," the statement
said.

The warning came while U.S. trade representative Robert B.
Zoellick visited Jakarta and met with President Megawati
Soekarnoputri. Zoellick is the most senior American official to
have visited Megawati since she was elected president on July 23.

American citizens are warned against traveling to the regions
of Aceh, Maluku, West Timor, Central and West Kalimantan and
Central Sulawesi. Further, all travel by U.S. and other foreign
government officials to Aceh, Irian Jaya and Maluku (provinces of
North Maluku and Maluku) has been restricted by the Indonesian
government because of security concerns.

Indonesian National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi
described the U.S. government's warning as normal.

"We don't close our eyes to the unrest happening in some areas
in Indonesia," he told The Jakarta Post.

He said the Jakarta city police had reinforced security at the
U.S. Embassy in Jakarta at the envoy's request.

The police have called on foreigners to report their presence
when traveling, especially in restive areas so that the
authorities can give them advice on safe travel. (pan)