The Jakarta Post, 5/29/2004 6:48:50 PM
Britain warns of terror threat in Indonesia
JAKARTA (Reuters): The British government said it was receiving information that
indicated terrorists were planning attacks in Indonesia, and added that Britons should
consider leaving the country if their presence was not essential.
The warning, posted on the Web site of the British embassy in Jakarta and seen on
Saturday, follows similar statements by the United States, Australia and Canada in
the past week about travel to the world's most populous Muslim nation.
"We continue to receive information that indicates terrorists are planning further
attacks, including against Westerners, throughout the country," the British statement
said.
"If you are already in Indonesia you should consider leaving if your presence is not
essential." Indonesia has been hit by a spate of bombings by Islamic militants in
recent years blamed on the Southeast Asian militant network Jamaah Islamiah, a
shadowy group linked to al Qaeda.
The worst were the October 2002 bomb attacks on nightclubs in Bali that killed 202
people, mainly foreign tourists.
Western diplomats have said intelligence gathering had recently picked up increased
talk among known militants, although no foreign governments have issued details of
specific threats.
The British embassy statement said those who chose to remain in Indonesia should
exercise "extreme caution" in public places such as hotels, nightclubs, bars,
restaurants and shopping malls.
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