U.S. EMBASSY  WARDEN MESSAGE

November 18, 2005

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. The information obtained in the November 9 raid in which Indonesian police killed Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist Azahari Bin Husin shows that JI-affiliated terrorists were in the advanced stages of planning additional attacks against westerners in Indonesia. Specifically, the police discovered in the raid 35 bombs prepared and ready to use in attacks. Police also found a videotaped threat from a hooded terrorist who threatened specific attacks against Americans, Australians, British and Italians. The Embassy and the Indonesian Government take these threats very seriously.

The Embassy further informs Americans that a recently discovered internet website provides detailed instructions on how terrorists can attack and kill individual westerners on the streets of Jakarta. The website, written in Indonesian, specifically mentions two locations known to be frequented by many western pedestrians, namely the area between the JW Marriott Hotel and Ambassador Mall, and the pedestrian overpass on Jl. Rasuna Said near the Australian Embassy and Setiabudi shopping complex. The website mentions specifically the Senayan golf driving range, the zoo, Taman Safari animal park, Ancol beach, Planet Hollywood, and the Jakarta Convention Center, and refers in general to hotels, sports centers and exhibition halls.

The bombs and other materials in the Azahari safe house and the information on the website make it clear that terrorists in Indonesia are likely changing their tactics to include targeting of individual western citizens. In addition to past information which indicated that terrorists would target specific businesses or buildings, the new information shows that terrorists are likely now planning to attack westerners riding in cars or walking on streets, sidewalks or pedestrian overpasses in Jakarta. The Embassy considers that the information on the website was developed by persons with serious terrorist intent.

The Embassy urges Americans in Indonesia to evaluate very carefully the security implications of all their daily activities in light of the above information. 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. Attacks could occur at any time and in any location, including but 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 and roads, places of worship, schools, sports facilities, or recreation facilities or events. Roads leading to and from such locations, toll booths, and parking lot entrances and exits could also be targeted.

The Embassy reminds Americans that in recent years terrorist attacks have occurred in Indonesia during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season. The possibility of terrorist attacks appears even higher this year in view of the new threat information detailed above.

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 Americans can obtain information on travel and security in Indonesia from  the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States; or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas. Americans also can call the Embassy in Jakarta at (62)(21) 3435-9000, the Consulate General in Surabaya at (62) (31) 295-6400, and the Consular Agent in Bali at (62) (361) 233-605. American citizens should read the Department of State's  Consular Information Sheet for Indonesia and latest Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, both available at http://travel.state.gov/. 

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