The Jakarta Post, 10/17/2002 1:55:31 PM
Australia recommends its citizens leave Indonesia
CANBERRA (Agencies): Australia urged on Thursday its citizens in Indonesia to leave
the country if they felt unsafe, saying that it had received disturbing new information of
threats to Australians in the wake of the Bali bombings.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the "disturbing new information of generic
threats" to Australians and Australian interests had come to light just hours ago.
Saturday's bombings in the nightclubs in Kuta Beach killed more than 180 people,
including possibly up to 119 Australians. Thirty Australians have been confirmed dead
so far.
"We are now recommending that all Australians in Indonesia who are concerned
about their security should consider departure," Downer told parliament. "In particular,
short-term visitors whose presence in Indonesia is nonessential should depart," he
said.
Since the Bali bombings, Australia has recommended that all its citizens defer all
nonessential travel to Indonesia.
Downer said Australians in Indonesia were urged to exercise extreme caution,
particularly in commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners,
such as clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship and tourist areas.
"Our security environment there is a little worse than it was prior to the events of
October 12," Downer said.
Downer said Australia was also upgrading its travel advisory for a range of other
Southeast Asian countries. "(This is to) highlight the need for vigilance given the
ongoing risk of terrorist activity," he added.
The Australian government has come under fire in recent days for not issuing strong
enough warnings about the possible risks in neighboring Indonesia, with the United
States putting out stronger advice to its citizens.
It came just as Prime Minister John Howard arrived in Bali to attend a memorial
service and meet with relatives of the more than 170 Australians killed or missing
since Saturday's bombing of a night club.
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