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."