The Age [Australia], December 16, 2004
Australians warned of hotel attack
By Mark Forbes. Foreign Affairs Correspondent. Lae, December 16, 2004
A terrorist attack on Hilton or other Western hotels in Indonesia is imminent, Foreign
Minister Alexander Downer said last night as he warned Australians to be alert.
Credible intelligence indicated an attack could occur immediately, Mr Downer said
after calling an urgent news conference. He said travellers should "stay well clear" of
three Hilton hotels in Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya, or any similar hotels.
Mr Downer, who is holding ministerial talks in Papua New Guinea, said Australia was
taking the threat seriously. The intelligence had already been passed on to Indonesia
and other Western countries, he said.
"We have credible reports of a possible terrorist attack on Hilton hotels or other
Western hotels," he said. "Terrorists can move targets very quickly though, and as
they realise we know something about an imminent terrorist attack, they can change
targets very quickly. People must be very careful.
"This is credible information. We would not be passing it on if we were not particularly
concerned."
Mr Downer refused to speculate on who might be behind the threat or where the
intelligence was obtained. The Jemaah Islamiah ringleaders of the bombing of the
Australian embassy in Jakarta are still at large and are believed to have access to
explosives.
Western hotels in Indonesia should be avoided for the immediate future, Mr Downer
said. "We really owe it to people to pass on this kind of information," he said.
About 10,000 Australians live in Indonesia, with thousands expected in Bali during the
peak Christmas holiday season.
"Certainly people should avoid places where Westerners congregate. We are not
ruling out different parts of Indonesia," he said.
Copyright © 2004. The Age Company Ltd.
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