U.S. EMBASSY WARDEN MESSAGE 

April 28, 2006

U.S. Embassy Jakarta 
U.S. Consulate General Surabaya 
Warden Message 

The U.S. Embassy informs Americans in Indonesia that labor unions have announced plans to hold large demonstrations in Jakarta and other major cities, including Surabaya and Medan, on May 1, 2006. Indonesian police have stated that demonstrations in Jakarta could attract as many as 30,000 people. Organizers have announced that one route of the demonstration in Jakarta will begin at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and continue along Jalan Thamrin to the office of the Vice President, on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan next to the U.S. Embassy. Americans are urged to avoid this area of the city on May 1 and to defer non-emergency consular business at the U.S. Embassy that day. The U.S. Embassy plans to remain open during normal business hours, but public access to the Embassy may be restricted during demonstrations. Americans should monitor local news broadcasts and consult with their hotels, tour guides or local business partners to obtain information about demonstration sites in other cities.

While labor organizers have announced that the demonstrations will be peaceful, the Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. American citizens are urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if caught within an area of demonstration. The Embassy urges Americans to avoid crowds, maintain a low profile, and to be vigilant about security at all times.

The Embassy reminds Americans that the information in the November 18, 2005 Travel Warning for Indonesia and in recent warden messages remains valid. The Indonesian Center for Vulcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation maintains the alert status for Mt. Merapi Volcano in Central Java at Level 3, which means an eruption could be imminent. Authorities have established shelters and have begun evacuating residents living close to the volcano.

All security-related Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, recent Embassy warden messages, and registration information are posted on the Embassy’s website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov.

Americans living and traveling in Indonesia are urged to register and update their contact information 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, and may be done on line and in advance of travel. Information on registering can be found at the Department of State’s Consular Affairs website: <https://travelregistration.state.gov/>.

The Embassy is located at Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, No. 4-5, Jakarta; the 24-hour telephone number is 021-3435-9000. The telephone number of the Consulate General in Surabaya is 031-295-6400; the telephone number of the U.S. Consular Agency in Bali is 0361-233-605.