U.S. EMBASSY  WARDEN MESSAGE

Demonstrations in Jakarta

July 16, 2007

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

The US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia informs American citizens that as of noon, Monday, July 16, 2007, there is a large demonstration in front of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (BEJ).  The protest is against the Nike Corporation and is numbered around 15,000.  Traffic is currently being affected at Plaza Indonesia, Semanggi intersection, and Sudirman Circle.  The Embassy has also received word that non-protesters seen in the demonstration area wearing Nike apparel have been targeted.  There is no information on when the protest is scheduled to end.   

The Embassy would like to remind American citizens that local protests can be unpredictable and potentially volatile.  Caution should be exercised and large crowds should be avoided whenever possible.  Additionally, the areas listed above should be avoided for the rest of the day.

The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya intend to maintain normal consular services during demonstrations, but may have to close on short notice if security conditions prevent public access to the Embassy or Consulate grounds.  American citizens seeking consular services may call the Consular Sections at the numbers below before coming to the Embassy or Consulate to inquire about possible demonstrations.

Americans living and traveling in Indonesia are urged to register and update their contact information with the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, or U.S. Consular Agency 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 U.S. Department of State’s Consular Affairs website at http://travelregistration.state.gov and at the Embassy’s website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov.  All Travel Warnings, Public Announcements and recent warden messages are posted on the Embassy website.

The Embassy is located at Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 4-5, Jakarta; the 24-hour telephone number is 62-21-3435-9000.  The telephone number of the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya is 62-31-295-6400; the number for the U.S. Consulate in Medan is 62-61-415-2200; the number for the U.S. Consular Agency in Bali is 62-21-361-233-605.