May. 10, 2005
UPI
Washington, DC -- The U.S. State Department Tuesday urged U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia.
It urged those who choose to travel to the country to be vigilant and "remain aware of the continued potential for terrorist attacks against Americans, U.S. or other Western interests in Indonesia."
It added: "Attacks could occur at any time and could be directed against any location."
The statement cited reports as suggesting attacks could target individual U.S. residents. It added that U.S. residents should avoid travel to Aceh province, home of a bloody separatist rebellion. The province was badly affected by the Asian Tsunami last year.
"Humanitarian workers should be cautious of their security when traveling in Aceh due to the continuing potential for separatist and terrorist violence, which could be directed against American humanitarian assistance workers," it said.
It urged U.S. residents to avoid traveling to the province of Papua, home to a separatist conflict, Maluku, home to sectarian violence, and Central, South and Southeast Sulawesi because of political instability.
This warning supersedes the March 24, 2005, travel warning for Indonesia.
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050510-053229-9115r.htm