ABC AUSTRALIA, 17/06/2004 09:26:24
US warns of terror attacks in Indonesia ahead of elections
The United States has updated its travel advisory to Indonesia, warning that the
Jemaah Islamiyah terror network could stage attacks to disrupt Indonesia's
presidential elections next month.
Indonesia will hold a presidential election on July 5 and a possible presidential runoff
election on September 20.
The travel advisory urges Americans to defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia.
"The Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and other similar terrorist groups might use these
elections as opportune occasions to conduct attacks," the advisory said.
Southeast Asian governments say the JI is the regional chapter of Osama bin laden's
al Qaeda network.
It is blamed for bombings that killed or injured American citizens at a major
international hotel in Jakarta in August 2003 and in Bali in October 2002.
The latest US travel advisory, which supersedes the one issued on March 19, 2004,
also urges Americans in Indonesia to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings in
the run up to the polls that could turn violent or cause unexpected traffic disruptions.
17/06/2004 09:26:24 | ABC Radio Australia News
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