September 13, 2004
This Travel Warning updates security threat information for Indonesia, alerts American citizens to security concerns regarding identifiably western hotels, informs Americans of a September 9 terrorist bombing in Jakarta, and reminds travelers of the ongoing terrorist threat for Indonesia. The Department of State continues to recommend that Americans defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia. This supersedes the September 7, 2004, Travel Warning for Indonesia.
The Department urges Americans who choose to travel to Indonesia despite this Travel Warning to observe vigilant personal security precautions; to remain aware of the continued potential for terrorist attacks against Americans, U.S.- or other Western interests in Indonesia; and to register with U.S. Embassy Jakarta, U.S. Consulate General Surabaya or the U.S. Consular Agent in Bali. Registration facilitates the U.S. Mission's contact with Americans in emergency situations. Within Jakarta, the Department specifically advises American citizens to avoid the Kuningan area and apartment buildings near the Pasar Festival Mall. Americans in Indonesia should maintain a low profile, vary daily routines, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and keep abreast of current Indonesian events.
The U.S. Mission in Indonesia restricts U.S. government e mployees' travel to certain areas of the country and, at times, denies them permission to travel to Indonesia. For the latest security information, contact a U.S. Mission consular office. The U.S. Mission can occasionally suspend service to the public, or close, because of security concerns; in these situations, it will continue to provide emergency services to American citizens.
Indonesia will hold a presidential runoff election on September 20, 2004. E lection-related violence is possible. Americans should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, which could turn violent or cause unexpected traffic disruptions. The Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and other similar terrorist groups might use these elections as opportune occasions to conduct attacks.
The potential remains for violence and terrorist actions against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the country. The JI has cells in several Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, and connections with al-Qaeda. A terrorist bombing outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on September 9, 2004, killed at least nine and injured more than 180 people. Terrorist bombings killed or injured American citizens at a major international hotel in Jakarta in August 2003 and at Denpasar, Bali in October 2002. The U.S. government continues to receive information that JI and other extremist groups might be planning additional attacks against U.S. and other Western interests in Indonesia. U.S. Government travelers to Indonesia have been directed to avoid identifiably western hotels. Since security has increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists could seek "softer" targets, including but not limited to where Americans and other Westerners live, congregate, shop or visit, including hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, identifiably Western businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or public recreation events.
Sectarian, ethnic, communal and separatist violence continue to threaten personal safety and security in several areas. Over the past three years, domestically targeted bombings have struck religious, political, and business targets. In 2003, the Jakarta international airport, an open-air concert in Aceh, and other Indonesian government facilities were bombed.
Americans should avoid travel to Aceh. Indonesia restricts foreigners' travel to that province; one foreigner was killed and another wounded in Aceh by security forces in the past year. Although Indonesia replaced martial law in Aceh with a state of civil emergency on May 19, 2004, Aceh's security situation remains highly uncertain.
Americans considering travel to the provinces of Papua and West Timor should exercise extreme caution because of sectarian, ethnic, communal and separatist strife. Papua's on-going separatist conflict has the potential to become violent. In August 2002, two Americans were killed in Papua under as yet unresolved circumstances.
Americans should avoid travel to Maluku, in particular the capital city of Ambon. Since April 25, 2004, sectarian violence has killed at least 40 and injured more than 220 people.
Americans should avoid travel to Central, South and Southeast Sulawesi; those considering travel to North Sulawesi should exercise extreme caution. Violence in Poso and in neighboring areas of Central Sulawesi during October-November 2003 produced 19 fatalities. Central Sulawesi's general security situation remains unstable. A specific, credible terrorist threat to Western interests in areas of Central, Southern and Southwestern Sulawesi in May 2004 led many Westerners to evacuate those areas.
The Philippine-based terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group poses an ongoing kidnapping risk/threat in areas near Malaysia and the Philippines.
Americans can obtain information on travel and security in Indonesia from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States; or 1-317-472-2328 from overseas. Americans also can call the Embassy in Jakarta at (62)(21) 3435-9000, the Consulate General in Surabaya at (62) (31) 568-2287, and the Consular Agent in Bali at (62) (361) 233-605. American citizens should read the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Indonesia and latest Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, both available at http://travel.state.gov.
