U.S. warns of RI terror attack

U.S. warns of RI terror attack

Reuters, Washington, D.C.

The United States said on Friday a terror attack in Indonesia was
possible in the run-up to the April elections and also warned of
persistent threats worldwide, particularly in the Middle East.

After suspected Islamic militants killed 202 people ahead of
Spain's elections in an attack that helped alter Sunday's
outcome, Washington warned militants might try something similar
in Indonesia, a State Department official said.

The State Department issued a travel warning that highlighted
the dangers of rebels fighting for independence in the region of
Aceh and noted that militants have already struck in Indonesia,
including bombings in Bali that killed about 200 people in 2002.

The State Department also reiterated a "worldwide caution" for
Americans abroad to be vigilant about terror threats and
spotlighted in a separate statement the continuing threat of
strikes against planes, trains or ships in the Middle East.

"In light of the Spain bombings, the fact that it's the
anniversary (of the U.S.-led Iraq invasion) and the stepped-up
attacks in Iraq, it was felt there was a need to repeat a general
caution," said the official, who asked not to be named.

"There is no new threat or new intelligence that has lead to
this."