The Jakarta Post, 10/3/2005 12:16:39 PM
New Zealand PM advises against travel to Bali
WELLINGTON (AFP): New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on Monday advised
New Zealanders to avoid travel to Bali after a series of suicide bombings at the
weekend in which at least 26 people were killed.
"We do ask people to look at the travel advisory which is very, very clear that people
should defer non-essential travel and defer tourist travel," Clark said on National Radio
on Monday.
Indonesia has blamed militant Islamist suicide bombers for the three restaurant
bombings on the popular holiday island in which more than 120 people were injured,
including at least one New Zealander.
New Zealand police attache to Indonesia, Supt. Athol Soper, said the only New
Zealander known to have been hurt in the blasts escaped with slight injuries.
New Zealand's foreign ministry said about 1,500 New Zealanders were believed to be
holidaying on Bali. Few were planning to return home early, according to one major
travel agency.
House of Travel retail director Brent Thomas said a handful of the agency's 96
customers in Bali had chosen to take early flights home but the vast majority had
decided to stay.
Clark said she spoke to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Sunday
night and told him New Zealand was ready to provide any help Indonesia required
following the attacks. (***)
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