LAKSAMANA.Net, February 19, 2003 11:48 AM
Australia Won't Relax Travel Warning
February 19, 2003 11:48 AM,
Laksamana.Net - The Australian government will not relax a travel warning advising its
citizens not to visit Bali.
Australian citizens were the main victims in the October 12 bomb blast in the Kuta
nightlife zone.
Indonesian Culture and Tourism Minister I Gede Ardika put the request for a relaxation
of the advisory to Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in Canberra February
18.
He argued that security on the island had significantly improved, Reuters reported.
The minister added that tourism was vital to Bali's economy.
A spokesman for Mr. Downer told the media later that "(we do not) adjust travel
advisories on the basis of lobbying efforts, that's not the way they operate.".
"I'm afraid the primary consideration always is the safety of Australians."
Australia has advised its citizens to defer non-essential travel to Indonesia, including
Bali, in the wake of the October 12 bombings. It says threats against Australians
"remain high."
"We have explained the steps that have been taken an implemented in Bali
particularly and Indonesia in general -- like the improvement in the number of police
and their equipment in Bali," Mr. Ardika told reporters following the meeting.
"Tourism for Indonesia is the number one currency exchange earner after oil and gas,
and in Bali tourism is playing a significant role -- more than 80% of people in Bali (are)
linked to tourism activities," he said.
International observers have praised the success of the police team that has achieved
the arrest of a number of suspects, including senior figures in what is believed to be
an Asia-wide ring of conspiracy.
Australian Prime Minister was in Jakarta over the weekend in a frigid meeting with
Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri. Mr. Howard visited Indonesia
immediately after meeting US President George W. Bush, who embarrassed his
guests by praising Australia's commitment to the US drive against Iraq.
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