U.S. EMBASSY  WARDEN MESSAGE

December 18, 2006

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

The U.S. Embassy reminds Americans in Indonesia of the continued serious security threat to Americans and other westerners in Indonesia. In recent years terrorist attacks have occurred in Jakarta and elsewhere during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season. The Embassy urges Americans to remain vigilant about security at all times.

Terrorist attacks could occur at any time and could be directed against any location, including those frequented by foreigners and identifiably American or other western facilities or businesses in Indonesia. Such targets could include but are not limited to places where Americans and other Westerners live, congregate, shop or visit, including hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, identifiably western businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools or public recreation events. Terrorists in Indonesia have most often directed attacks at specific buildings or locations. The possibility exists that individual Americans could be targeted for kidnapping or assault.

The Embassy urges Americans in Indonesia to evaluate carefully the security implications of their daily activities, and to consider the level of security provided when choosing venues for holiday celebrations, religious services, and recreation and travel. Americans should observe vigilant personal security precautions at all times, be aware of their surroundings, and vary the routes and times of their daily activities.

Street crime, including pick pocketing and drive-by purse snatching tends to increase during the holiday season. Americans should remain alert to possible criminal surveillance while shopping, and should avoid conspicuous display of cash. The Embassy urges Americans to use only reliable taxi companies and to telephone for taxi pickup whenever possible, rather than hailing cabs on the street.

The Embassy strongly encourages Americans in Indonesia, including short-term visitors, to register with the Embassy in Jakarta, the Consulate General in Surabaya, or the Consular Agent in Bali. Registration may be done on-line at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/consular/onlinereg.html or by telephone to the numbers below.

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

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