ABC AUSTRALIA, 24/05/2004 15:06:45
Mine threats prompt Indonesia travel warning
Hundreds of Indonesian police are being sent to guard one of the largest mines in
Indonesia after threats were made against Westerners working there.
Our Indonesia correspondent, Tim Palmer, says the Inco mine in Suluawasi is the
focus of an updated travel warning on Indonesia issued by the Australian government.
The travel advisory does not raise the overall level of warning for Indonesia but it adds
the area around Sala Arco in Sulawasi to the list of high-risk regions. The government
says any non-essential travel to Indonesia there should be avoided and any
Australians in the Sulawesi provence should leave.
Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chris Gallus says the advice is based on
new information there are terrorist groups operating in Sulawesi.
Canadian-owned Inco company has a massive nickle mine and the world's biggest
nickle smelter in South Sulawesi, employing dozens of ex-patriots including
Australians.
It is understood death threats have been made against the head of the company and
other Westerners.
The Australian embassy in Jakarta has contacted all Australians in the area
suggesting they consider evacuation.
A security source involved in the area says Inco has a history of sometimes violent
clashes with anti-mine activists but there are signs this threat may have come from an
Islamist extremist group.
The mine is close to areas in central Sulawasi where radical Islamist groups have
been involved in recent attacks on Christian communities.
24/05/2004 15:06:45 | ABC Radio Australia News
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