This latest bulletin just arrived in my in-box. These bulletins are sent via e-mail to all registered US citizens living in Bali.
Subj: US STATE DEPT. - ANNOUNCEMENT - INDONESIA & EAST TIMOR (10/30/00
Date: 10/31/00 12:00:48 PM China Standard Time
From: tabuh@dps.mega.net.id
Reply-to: amcobali@indo.net.id (U.S. Consular Agency Bali)
To: in@Bali (U.S. Citizens)
U.S. Consular Agency
Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 188, Denpasar 80235, Bali Indonesia
Tel. (62) (361) 233605, Fax (62) (361) 222426
amcobali@indo.net.id
DATE: October 31, 2000
TO: U.S. Citizens and All Hotel Managers & Tour Operators in Bali
FROM: Andrew Toth, Consular Agent, U.S. Consular Agency Bali Indonesia
SUBJ: US State Dept. - Announcement - Indonesia & East Timor
(10/30/00)
We are sending to you the latest announcement from the U.S. State
Department. We request that all wardens in the consular district
share this information with the American citizens in your area. All
others are encouraged to pass this announcement on to your American
neighbors, friends or guests who may not yet be registered with the
Consular Agency. Thanks for your assistance.
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR
October 30, 2000
American citizens traveling to Indonesia or East Timor
should exercise extreme caution. Tourists planning
travel to Indonesia should take the following
information into account. Please see the new paragraph
on Java in this announcement.
Although major tourist destinations in Bali, parts of
Sumatra and North Sulawesi have been relatively calm,
Indonesia is experiencing a major political transition,
and unrest and violence can erupt with little
forewarning. There has been a rise in anti-American
rhetoric by some national political leaders and
extremist groups. Some foreign travelers in troubled
areas have been subject to arbitrary arrest, detention
and deportation and, on at least one occasion, false
accusations of espionage.
There have been a number of acts of intimidation and
violence directed at American companies and U.S.
diplomatic facilities. Security officials have
sometimes been unwilling or unable to intervene. Citing
security concerns, the Government of Indonesia has
restricted the travel of U.S. and other foreign
government officials to Aceh, Papua and the Moluccas
(provinces of North Maluku and Maluku). American
citizens should avoid travel to these regions.
The cities of Jakarta and Medan, in addition to other
locations, have been struck by a number of bombings in
recent months. The Jakarta Stock Exchange, diplomatic
facilities and Indonesian government buildings have
been targeted. The U.S. Embassy has had indications
that this wave of bombings may continue and that U.S.
interests may be targeted.
Although Indonesia has a tradition of religious
tolerance, inflammatory statements by community
leaders, as well as violence in the Molucca Islands and
the Middle East, have sparked tension between Muslim
and Christian communities in several areas in
Indonesia. American citizens resident or traveling in
Indonesia are advised to exercise caution at all times,
be alert to suspicious or unclaimed packages and vary
times and routes and other aspects of personal daily
routine and keep a low profile. Americans should
remember that many parts of Indonesia, including many
tourist destinations, are isolated and difficult to
reach by available transportation or communication
links. In cases of unrest, medical emergency or
logistical problems, travelers may find it difficult to
depart quickly.
Americans also should be watchful while in urban areas,
where demonstrations and other violence can occur
without warning. Americans should avoid large crowds
and potential demonstration sites. Travelers and
residents should ensure that passports and important
personal papers are in order in the event that it
becomes necessary to leave the country quickly. Because
the situation is uncertain and new outbreaks of
violence are possible, American citizens are advised to
consult the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and the U.S.
Consulate General in Surabaya for the most recent
security information and generally to exercise caution.
Although United States citizens traveling anywhere in
Indonesia and East Timor should be extremely cautious,
certain areas warrant specific mention.
Aceh: Separatist aspirations have led to a state of
prolonged violence in the province of Aceh. Violence
has targeted American companies with growing frequency.
American citizens are strongly urged to defer all
travel to Aceh and to consider departing if already
there.
The Moluccas and Sulawesi: Serious communal violence
broke out on the island of Ambon in January 1999 and
has now spread throughout this island group. American
citizens are urged to avoid all travel to the Moluccas.
Violence in the province of Maluku, which includes the
island of Ambon, is particularly severe, and American
citizens are encouraged to depart immediately if they
are already there. In North Maluku, tensions remain
high and American citizens should avoid traveling to
that province. Serious communal violence also broke out
in the province of Central Sulawesi in May 2000.
Although the violence has subsided, inter-religious
tensions remain and American citizens should avoid
traveling there. West Timor: On September 6, 2000 a
militia mob in Atambua, West Timor, attacked United
Nations offices, killing several UN international
staff, one of whom was an American citizen. Until
violent militia activity is brought under control,
similar incidents may occur in other areas of West
Timor. The militias have specifically targeted
foreigners. American citizens are strongly advised to
avoid all travel to West Timor. Americans in West Timor
should depart immediately by the safest means
available.
Papua (Irian Jaya): Aspirations for independence in
Papua (also known as Irian Jaya) have led to violent
confrontations with security forces in this province.
American citizens are urged to avoid tourist travel to
Papua.
Java: Intimidation and threats of violence have been
directed at American citizens in Java, including
Jakarta and the city of Solo (Surakarta). On Sunday,
October 29, a number of groups identifying themselves
as Islamic organizations visited hotels in the Solo
area to demand names of American visitors and to
deliver the ultimatum that American citizens must leave
the country within 48 hours. American citizens are
encouraged to defer travel to Java.
Northern Kalimatan: The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group has
been active throughout the islands in the extreme
southwest Philippines, near Indonesia. American
citizens traveling to the border regions in Northern
Kalimantan and North Sulawesi, in particular the
smaller islands closer to the Philippines, are urged to
review their security procedures, remain vigilant to
their surroundings, keep a low profile, and vary routes
and times of all required travel.
Lombok: On January 17, 2000, anti-Christian violence
broke out on the resort island of Lombok, leading to
looting and the burning of a number of churches.
Although there has not been a recurrence of major
violence since January, American citizens should take
this earlier unrest into account when planning travel.
Lombok is about 25 miles from the island of Bali. East
Timor: East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia
in an August 30, 1999 referendum and is currently under
the authority of the United Nations Transitional
Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). Violence erupted
throughout East Timor after the United
Nations-sponsored ballot in that province. Although a
measure of stability has returned to the territory
following the arrival of international forces, crime
and lawlessness remain a major problem. American
citizens are strongly encouraged to exercise caution in
East Timor, particularly during nighttime hours, and to
avoid areas along the border between East and West
Timor. Militia incursions have occurred in the western
and central districts of East Timor, and travelers
wishing to visit these areas are encouraged to consult
UN authorities in Dili before departing.
The Department of State encourages American citizens
considering travel to Indonesia and East Timor to
carefully review the information available in the State
Department's Consular Information Sheet, available on
the Internet at http://www.usembassyjakarta.org or on
the Bureau of Consular Affairs' home page at
http://travel.state.gov. All Americans resident or
traveling in Indonesia are encouraged to register with
the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta (tel: 62-21-344-2211), the
U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya (tel:
62-31-568-2287), or the U.S. Consular Agency in Bali
(tel: 62-361-233-605) and to obtain updated information
on the security situation. Registration may be
completed in person, by fax or through the U.S. Embassy
home page. Although a U.S. liaison office will open in
East Timor in the coming months, there is currently no
official U.S. presence there.
This Public Announcement supersedes the September 8,
2000, September 20, 2000 and October 26, 2000 Public
Announcements for Indonesia and East Timor and expires
on March 26, 2001. It has been updated to combine the
previous Public Announcements and to include
information from recent emergency announcements by the
US Embassy in Jakarta.