LAKSAMANA.Net, October 30, 2004 01:51 AM
Australia Warns of More Ramadhan Raids
Laksamana.Net - The Australian government has advised its citizens to defer
non-essential travel to Indonesia, warning against the possibility of further attacks by
terrorists on foreigners, as well as raids by militant Islamic groups on bars and
nightclubs.
"Raids and assaults ('sweeping' operations) by militant Islamic groups against bars,
nightclubs and other public places in Indonesia have taken place during Ramadhan
this year and in the past. Further attacks during Ramadhan and thereafter are
possible," said the travel advisory issued Friday (29/10/04).
"The arrests and trials of extremists by the Indonesian authorities could prompt a
strong reaction from their supporters, including possible demonstrations or acts of
violence," it said.
About 100 members of Islamic Defenders' Front earlier this month attacked the Star
Deli bar in Kemang, South Jakarta, even though it was closed at the time of the
incident.
The advisory said Australians in Indonesia who are concerned for their safety should
consider leaving.
"We continue to receive reports suggesting that terrorists in Indonesia are planning
attacks against foreigners and the Indonesian government," it said.
The advisory also said the September 9 bomb attack outside the Australian Embassy
underscores the ongoing terrorist threat to Australians in Indonesia, adding the
possibility of another attack against Australians cannot be ruled out.
The US has also warned its citizens in Indonesia to take precautions during
Ramadhan, advising them "to avoid all standalone bars, clubs or nightclubs where
similar acts of violence may be repeated".
Despite the warnings, many expatriates in Jakarta are continuing to frequent bars and
clubs during Ramadhan.
Following is the text of the Australian advisory.
Travel Advice - Indonesia
This Advice is current for Saturday, 30 October 2004.
The Advice was issued on Friday, 29 October 2004.
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information on safety and
security. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
Australians should defer non-essential travel to Indonesia. Australians in Indonesia
who are concerned for their safety should consider departing. We continue to receive
reports that terrorists in the region are planning attacks against a range of targets.
These attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and could be directed
against any locations known to be frequented by foreigners. The bomb attack outside
the Australian Embassy on 9 September underscores the ongoing terrorist threat to
Australians in Indonesia. The possibility of another attack against Australians cannot
be ruled out.
As a consequence of the 9 September attack, the Australian Embassy in Jakarta will
be closed to the public until further notice. Arrangements have been made for limited
consular services to be available by appointment only. The contact number for
appointments for consular services is + 62 21 2550 5500. The Australian
Consulate-General in Bali is closed for normal business but can offer urgent consular
assistance by appointment. Australians in Bali, who need urgent consular assistance
should contact the Consulate General on + 62 361 283 011 and 283 241.
The recommendation that Australians defer non-essential travel applies to Indonesia
as a whole, including Bali. Australians should avoid all travel to Aceh and Maluku
province, particularly Ambon. Australians in Aceh and Maluku should depart.
We further advise Australians to read carefully the sections below on travel to
Kalimantan, Maluku and North Maluku, Papua, Sulawesi and West Timor, where
additional security risks exist.
There remains a potential risk to foreigners of kidnapping in areas close to the
Philippines, such as the outlying islands of North Sulawesi, and the border regions of
Kalimantan.
Australians in Indonesia should register with the Australian Embassy.
Safety and Security
Terrorism
Australian travellers should be aware of the threat of terrorism globally and should
read this travel advice in conjunction with the General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Australians should defer non-essential travel to Indonesia and Australians in Indonesia
who are concerned for their safety should consider departing. We continue to receive
reports suggesting that terrorists in Indonesia are planning attacks against foreigners
and the Indonesian Government.
The bomb attack outside the Australian Embassy on 9 September underscores the
ongoing terrorist threat to Australians in Indonesia. The bombing of nightclubs in Bali
on 12 October 2002 and a five-star hotel in central Jakarta in August 2003 are further
reminders of this threat. The possibility of another attack against Australians cannot
be ruled out. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and
could be directed against any locations known to be frequented by foreigners.
Examples of possible terrorist targets include international hotels, clubs, restaurants
(including international fast food outlets), bars, embassies, international schools,
expatriate housing compounds, churches and other places of worship, shopping
centres, outdoor recreation events, tourist areas and transport hubs or identifiably
western businesses and interests.
Particular caution should be exercised in Jakarta, including the central business and
embassy districts, in other metropolitan and tourist centres in Java and Sumatra, and
around premises and symbols associated with the Indonesian Government.
Civil Unrest/Political Tension
Raids and assaults ('sweeping' operations) by militant Islamic groups against bars,
nightclubs and other public places in Indonesia have taken place during Ramadan this
year and in the past. Further attacks during Ramadan and thereafter are possible.
The arrests and trials of extremists by the Indonesian authorities could prompt a
strong reaction from their supporters, including possible demonstrations or acts of
violence.
Aceh: Australians should avoid all travel to Aceh, and those in Aceh should depart.
The state of military emergency was downgraded to a state of civil emergency on 19
May 2004. Fighting, however, continues between Indonesian government forces and
separatists. Indonesian authorities have declared the waters 12 nautical miles around
Aceh closed to all foreign shipping. Presidential Decree No 43 of 2003 still bans
tourists from entering Aceh and regulates the activities of other foreigners in Aceh,
including journalists and aid workers. Foreign nationals wishing to enter Aceh for work
must have written permission from the Indonesian Government. Foreign nationals
already in Aceh are required to report their presence to their local military
administrator.
Maluku and North Maluku: Australians should defer all travel to Ambon, Maluku
province. Australians in Maluku province, including Ambon, who are concerned for
their safety, should depart. Violence erupted in Ambon on 25 April 2004 resulting in a
number of deaths and serious injuries. The situation in Maluku and North Maluku
provinces remains unsettled.
Kalimantan: Communal tensions in mixed Dayak and Madurese areas can
sometimes turn violent. In northern Kalimantan, there is a danger of kidnapping for
ransom by insurgents, criminals and terrorists operating from the southern
Philippines.
Papua: Political tensions associated with separatists in Papua and communal
tensions between indigenous Papuans and groups predominantly from other parts of
Indonesia can lead to violence. Australians travelling to Papua for other than tourist
purposes require a travel permit (Surat Keterangan Jalan) from the police. This can be
obtained from the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta and should be sought well
in advance of travel.
Sulawesi: The security situation in South Sulawesi remains uncertain. Sporadic
sectarian and ethnic violence continues to occur. A bomb exploded in a cafe in
Palopo on 10 January 2004, killing four people. There were specific threats against
foreigners in the vicinity of Saroako in May 2004 and the security situation there
continues to be problematic.
The security situation in Central Sulawesi remains unsettled and sporadic sectarian
clashes continue. There have been attacks on inter-provincial and inter-city buses in
the area of Poso, including those carrying tourists. There were attacks in Central
Sulawesi in October and November 2003 which left at least 19 people dead.
In North Sulawesi, near the Philippines border, there is a danger of kidnapping for
ransom by insurgents, criminals and terrorists operating from the southern
Philippines.
West Timor: Following attacks in 2000, the United Nations evacuated all personnel in
West Timor except those required for Security Council-mandated activities related to
the maintenance of international peace and security. A high level of security alert
remains for west Timor, particularly in areas outside Kupang and near the border with
East Timor.
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