The Advertiser [Australia], 24 May 2004
Stay out or run risk of attacks, Aussies warned
By CRAIG CLARKE in Canberra and STUART INNES
TERRORISTS are plotting new attacks against westerners in Indonesia, prompting
warnings for Australians to avoid travelling to the region.
The Federal Government said yesterday it had "credible intelligence" Islamic terrorists
were planning attacks in the province of Sulawesi.
Tourists in Jakarta also have been advised to consider leaving or avoid embassies,
government offices and international businesses. The Australian embassy in Jakarta
remained on high alert last night.
The upgraded travel advice coincided with convicted Bali bombers Amrozi and
Mukhlas warning westerners would continue to be targeted while their leaders
supported US President George W. Bush.
Parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs Chris Gallus said Australians should avoid
the cities of Saroako in South Sulawesi province and Salonsa in Central Sulawesi
province.
"We have credible intelligence that there will be attacks or attacks are planned on
western interests, and of course that does include Australians," she said.
"This is based on credible intelligence that Western interests will be targeted in those
areas."
About 5000 Australians are registered with the embassy as living or holidaying in
Indonesia.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued the specific advice, which
follows general warnings about the dangers in Indonesia.
"We continue to receive reports that further attacks are being planned against a
variety of targets, including embassies, international schools, international hotels,
churches, shopping centres, transport hubs or identifiably western interests, including
businesses," DFAT said.
Indonesia's Brigadier-General Sudarsono said he believed the terrorist threat to be
real.
"They won't necessarily strike on Australian soil, but they might hit Australian
interests within their reach," he told Channel 9.
The Australian travel advice co-incided with a warning from the US yesterday that a
"convergence" of events, including the situation in Iraq, has heightened the threat of
terrorist attacks against US citizens and interests in Indonesia.
The US embassy in Jakarta advised Americans in Indonesia "to observe vigilant
personal security precautions and to remain aware of the continued potential for
terrorist attacks against Americans or American interests in Indonesia and
worldwide".
"A convergence of local and international factors has increased the potential threat to
Americans in Indonesia," the embassy said.
Those factors included the detentions and trials of high-profile Indonesian terror
suspects, the campaign for July 5 presidential elections and continued ethnic violence
in the city of Ambon, where 38 people were killed last month, it said.
In addition, the notice spoke of "anti-American sentiment stirred up by media
portrayals of US actions in Iraq and information gathered worldwide indicating terrorist
groups contemplate additional attacks against Americans or American interests".
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said the US embassy warning showed that
reducing terrorism was a long-term issue.
"It's a very sad situation that all around the world people are at risk," she told Channel
7.
"That's why we need to be vigilant and keep at it – and, as the prime minister says,
not cut and run – that's exactly what the terrorists want Australians to do and that's
not in our character.
"You have to see things through to the end – give up half way and you lose all
around."
The travel warnings have disappointed tourism operators in Indonesia. A
spokeswoman for the Discovery Katika Plaza Hotel at South Kuta Beach, in Bali, said
tourism had been recovering this year but the Government travel warning was unfair.
"We are fine. There is nothing to be scared of," Alpheratz Bellatrix Manuhutu said.
"The travel warning is ridiculous."
Many Australians are ignoring the travel advice and heading back to Bali in big
numbers.
"Our flights from Adelaide (which began in March) are getting more passengers than
we had planned," Air Paradise managing director and ex-patriot Australian Barry Hess
said in Bali. The luxury Conrad Bali Resort at Tanjong Benoa opened only a few
months ago and was enjoying 90 per cent occupancy at the weekend with Aussie
accents obvious around the pool.
"Australia is still the number one visitor to Bali," Conrad public relations director
Anastasia Lijadi said.
The industry, however, believes more Australians would come if the travel advice was
genuine and fair.
"We're doing better than one year ago. But we want to be more busy," one Bali taxi
driver said.
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