Buat teman-teman pemegang pasport Australia Mudah-mudahan info ini berguna bagi anda yang ada rencana pergi ke Indonesia Salam WBMS =========================================== ----- Original Message ----- From: Consular Section, Australian Embassy Jakarta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, October 14, 1999 6:02 PM Subject: Bulletin to Australian Citizens Living in Indonesia Australian Embassy Jakarta Bulletin to Australian Citizens Living in Indonesia Released Thursday 14 October 1999 This notice updates information provided in our bulletin of: 01 October 1999. Dates to Watch: 14 -20 October - Possible demonstrations associated with MPR sitting. The situation in East Timor remains very tense. The deployment of the United Nations mandated multinational force for East Timor (INTERFET) began on 20 September. The force's role is to promote the restoration of peace and security in East Timor and assist the UN implement the outcome of the recent ballot in East Timor. An Australian, Major General Peter Cosgrove, is the commander and there is a significant Australian contingent in the force which also includes members of the armed forces of a large number of countries including Indonesia's regional neighbours - Thailand, Philippines, and Singapore. The deployment has exacerbated tensions between Australia and Indonesia and there is the risk that individual Australian citizens may become increasingly the subject of criticism from individuals or groups who disapprove of Australia's approach to East Timor issues. Tension may increase if further armed clashes occur. With the People's General Assembly (MPR) in session there is likely to be an increase in the number of demonstrations in the DPR/MPR and Semanggi areas of Jakarta. This will mean there will be associated traffic congestion around those areas in particular and in other parts of Jakarta as a result of traffic diversions. Protests at the Embassy are continuing and there have also been protests at the Consulate in Bali as well as the Honorary Consulates in Balikpapan, Kupang and Medan. Some of these protests have involved threats to Australian citizens and Australian interests. The Honorary Consulates in Balikpapan and Kupang are now closed. The Honorary Consulate in Medan is closed until 23 October 1999. The Embassy and a number of Australian businesses have received threatening telephone calls, including bomb threats. On 20 September a number of shots were fired at the Embassy buildings damaging three windows. Shots were again fired at the Embassy on the evenings of 24 September and 8 October. On 30 September, rocks and incendiary devices were thrown at the embassy. Following these incidents the Embassy offered voluntary temporary relocation to any Embassy dependents who may wish to depart Jakarta. While the importance of these incidents should not be exaggerated, it is clear that there has been a marked increase in tension that has the potential to be manifested in attacks against Australian citizens and interests. Unless involved with, or accompanying, INTERFET or UNAMET Australians should not (repeat not) travel to East Timor. Australians already in East Timor should leave at the earliest opportunity by the safest possible means available to them. Following the demonstrations in Balikpapan, which resulted in threats and coercion being applied against a number of companies in East Kalimantan, those companies decided to relocate some Australian staff and dependants temporarily to areas outside the province. Australians intending to travel to Balikpapan should be aware of the possibility of anti-Australian sentiment being directed against them. The embassy has made representations to the National Police Headquarters seeking assurances that the police would protect Australian interests in the province. The embassy was advised that instructions had been passed to provincial and city police to this effect. The situation in East Timor has caused a significant movement of people into West Timor and in some cases Australian citizens have been the target of threats and hostile behaviour. Australians should consider deferring non-essential travel to West Timor in the current circumstances. The situation in Ambon and surrounding islands remains unstable due to the continuing Christian-Muslim conflict. Mandala Airlines has cancelled its Ambon service though Merpati is currently operating. Australians should defer non-essential travel to Ambon and surrounding areas. Sporadic fighting continues in Aceh and the situation remains tense. In some areas such as North Aceh, Pidie and East Aceh Regencies, security personnel and property continue to be attacked. Further disturbances are likely. Australians intending to travel to the region should exercise due caution and seek information about the situation beforehand. In view of recent anti-Australian sentiments in Indonesia, visitors to Bali and surrounding islands should keep themselves informed of local developments and observe the same prudence as visitors in other parts of the country. Australians are advised not to travel to the Mt Rinjani area of Lombok due to recent criminal activity targeting tourists. The Embassy suggests that Australians keep themselves closely informed of developments throughout Indonesia by monitoring news through local and international television, radio and print media and that they keep abreast of developments relating to security in areas they may be visiting. They are advised to avoid known problem areas and to exercise care. All persons should take sensible precautions when out at any time of the day to avoid being the target of criminal activity. As there have been occasions of threats and assaults being committed in taxis, persons should consider hiring taxis from reputable firms, either by phone or from stands at major hotels. Australian citizens who are registered with the embassy are requested to notify it if leaving Indonesia for more than ten days or so, and, very importantly, when they return. Please advise the embassy when leaving Indonesia permanently. Latest Consular Travel Advisory issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade: Indonesia 14 October 1999 Indonesia - East Timor 14 October 1999 These bulletins can be obtained in the following ways: 1. Recorded message - telephone +62 21 2550 5678 2. Poll fax - telephone +62 21 5261683. Call this number from your fax and when you hear the tone, press your fax's start button and the message will be sent to you automatically. 3. Electronic mailing list - E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] to have your E-mail address added to the mailing list. Please include the word "subscribe" in the title of your message. This address is for "broadcast" only and should not be used for correspondence with the Embassy. 4. The Embassy's website at http://www.austembjak.or.id/ 5. The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade's website at http://www.dfat.gov.au 6. The Embassy is staffed 24 hours each day by an Australian Security Officer briefed to answer routine telephone inquiries on the current situation. Contact may be made on telephone +62 21 2550 5463 N.B: While every care has been taken in preparing this Bulletin, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for any injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained herein. PLEASE NOTE: This e-mail address is a broadcast only service and all enquiries should be directed to our fax or telephone numbers: Fax: +62 (0)21 5261690 / 5227101, Phone: +62 (0)21 25505463 -------------------------------------------------------- TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word "unsubscribe" in the SUBJECT (TITLE) field if you would like us to stop sending these messages. (If you have more than one e-mail address make sure you send the unsubscribe message from the same account that we are sending to.) -------------------------------------------------------- REMEMBER: Our latest bulletin can be found on: - our web site: http://www.austembjak.or.id/, - poll fax: +62 (0)21 5261683, - recorded message: +62 (0)21 2550 5678. --------------------------------------------------------
