The Jakarta Post, 12/17/2004 11:40:26 AM
Australia defends its warnings of terrorist attack in Indonesia
SYDNEY (AFP): Foreign Minister Alexander Downer defended on Friday his decision
to issue a warning about a terrorist threat in Indonesia, as many Australians shrugged
off his advice and went ahead with plans to spend Christmas in Indonesian resorts.
In its latest terror alert, released late Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs
said it had credible intelligence of a potential terror attack in Indonesia, possibly
targeting the Hilton Hotel.
Indonesia played down the threat and the Jakarta Hilton reportedly decided against
passing on the warning to its guests, "to avoid panic".
Downer, in Vanuatu for talks with its new government, said it would be a national
scandal if the government had information about a potential terror attack and decided
not to pass it on to the Australian people.
He also rejected claims that Australia did not adequately pass on the warning to top
Indonesian officials, but said it was still up to Australians in Indonesia to decide what
to do and not up to the hotel to clear out guests.
"People in the hotel and people in Jakarta should generally be aware of the threats,"
Downer told ABC Radio from Port Vila.
"They have to make up their own minds about what action they will take on the basis
of the information that we have passed on. The Australian government owes it to the
Australian people to pass on this information when we have got it.
"If we had this information and we decided that we wouldn't pass it on, that would be a
matter of a national scandal."
Japan, Britain, the United States and New Zealand also issued their own warnings but
did not mention specific targets.
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock repeated the warnings on Friday, saying Australians
would be foolish to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, after the government received
credible information terrorists were ready to carry out an attack.
However, many Australians were meantime continuing to pack their bags and head to
Indonesia for the annual Christmas holidays regardless.
Qantas offered a full refund to people with bookings for Indonesia, but said only a
handful of customers had taken up the offer and flights would operate as usual during
the busy Christmas and new year period. (**)
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
