US Urges Citizens to Avoid Indonesia

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

 ◆ US Urges Citizens to Avoid Indonesia

The US State Department Saturday warned its nationals to avoid travel to Indonesia due to a continued risk of terrorism and political violence. US citizens inside Indonesia should consider leaving immediately, the department said in a travel warning, noting that some 300 nonessential diplomats and all their family members already have been ordered to leave. The new warning supercedes one issued Monday in the wake of last week's deadly nightclub bombing in Bali. "The US embassy in Jakarta has received information that indicates extremist elements may be planning additional attacks targeting US interests in Indonesia, particularly US govt. officials and facilities," the department said. "As security is increased at official US facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers will seek softer targets" such as nightclubs, restaurants, places of worship or outdoor recreational events. The warning also cited continuing political, ethnic and sectarian violence in parts of Indonesia as putting US citizens and interests at risk. Security concerns may force US embassies and consulates to close or limit their operations, the warning said. The US embassy in Jakarta was closed in September for six days after receiving a threat linked to Islamic militants of the al-Qaeda network. Officials confirmed Tuesday that they had been considering a pullback of diplomatic personnel before the Bali blast, as a result of a grenade attack September 23 on an unoccupied embassy residence in Jakarta.