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Travel Alert: Indonesia

by Ruth on April 20th, 2006

Based on insider information, the Australian government issued a travel alert for Indonesia, particularly to Bali, saying it received information that terrorist attacks may occur against Western interests as early as today.

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive a stream of reporting indicating that terrorists are in the advanced stages of planning attacks against Western interests in Indonesia against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. These reports include information about potentially heightened risk of attack on particular dates. Recent reports suggest Thursday 20 April 2006 could be a potential date for attack but we emphasise that attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia. If you are in Indonesia, including Bali, and are concerned for your safety you should consider departing. If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, you should exercise extreme caution.

We strongly advise you not travel to Aceh, Maluku (particularly Ambon) and Central Sulawesi due to the very unstable security situation and risk of terrorist attack. We advise you to read carefully the sections below on travel to Kalimantan, Papua, other parts of Sulawesi and West Timor where additional security risks exist.

Bali has been a site of terrorism attacks before. Last year, a relative of ours escaped the October Bali bombings by just a few minutes. If you absolutely must travel to the area, make sure you have a comprehensive travel insurance. Check the terms and coniditions, and verify what cicumstances are not covered by the insurance policy.

You may also want to read Bloomberg’s article, Australia Issues Indonesia Travel Alert Citing Terrorism Threat. If you know anyone travelling to Indonesia, especially in Bali, please alert them of this possible danger.

Technorati Tags: travel alert, Indonesia, Bali, terrorism, terrorism threat, terrorism attacks

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POSTED IN: Culture Shock: Asia, General : Asia Travel, Getting There and Away : Asia