The Age [Australia], December 23 2002
Megawati calls for travel bans to be lifted
President Megawati Sukarnoputri called on foreign governments to lift travel advisories
warning their citizens not to visit Indonesia, media reports said today.
Since the October 12 blasts in Bali, which killed 192 people, the United States,
Britain and scores of other Western countries have warned their citizens to stay away
from Indonesia.
On Monday, Australia advised its citizens that the threat of more terrorist attacks in
Indonesia over the Christmas period was high, particularly in churches and other
public places.
The new advisory follows similar updated warnings made late last week by
Washington and London.
"I say everywhere to friendly nations and to foreigners living in Indonesia that terrorism
can occur anywhere, at any time and can be carried out by anyone," Megawati told
around 2,000 officials from her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle in Jakarta on
Sunday, Kompas daily reported.
"So, if it occurs in Indonesia, don't put a travel ban on Indonesia," she was quoted as
saying.
Indonesia and other countries in South-East Asia have criticised the warnings
because of their effects on tourism, a vital industry for the region's developing
economies.
Sunday's comments by Megawati were the first time she has addressed the issue.
The government also points to the progress police have made in rounding up the
alleged perpetrators of the bombings as further evidence that the country is safe.
More than two dozen people have been arrested in connection with the two
near-simultaneous nightclub blasts, which killed mostly foreign tourists. Three of
those arrested are considered senior terrorist operatives.
Officials in several countries have blamed an al-Qaida linked Islamic group, Jemaah
Islamiah, for the blasts. The group's alleged goal is to establish a pan-Islamic state in
South-East Asia.
- AP
Copyright © 2002 The Age Company Ltd
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