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)