July 09, 2007 12:00am
AUSTRALIANS have been told to stay away from Indonesia because of an imminent terrorist attack against Western interests in Bali or Jakarta.
Security agencies detected a sudden rise in "chatter" between known terrorist groups late on Saturday night.
The chatter, picked up by Australian electronic intercepts, indicated an attack - linked to the recent arrest of Jemaah Islamiah leader Abu Dujana - was to take place.
"These attacks could take place at any time and could be imminent," the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warned.
"Australians should consider this information carefully when considering travel to Indonesia."
Australia's electronic spying agency, the Defence Signals Directorate, closely monitors phone calls and radio traffic inside Indonesia.
Australian Federal Police agents in Indonesia have access to the intercepts and other material.
It is understood Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer was shocked when he saw the latest intelligence material and decided to go public, despite potential damage to relations with Indonesia.
Indonesia always complains when Australians are warned to avoid their country, but after the two Bali bombings and attacks in Jakarta the Government is taking no chances.
Mr Downer chose his words carefully to avoid upsetting Jakarta, but the material intercepted on Saturday was so specific that he announced the warning himself.
"We . . . remain very concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks and that those terrorist attacks could be imminent," he said.
"I think there is a bit of a sense in the community, as we look at this issue of terrorism more broadly, that in the case of Indonesia it's gone away.
"I don't want Australians to be complacent because there hasn't been an attack for a while."
The latest intercepts supported intelligence gathered by AFP working closely with Indonesian counter-terrorist police, and Australian spies from the Australian Secret Intelligence Service working there as diplomats.
Likely targets are the dozens of Western hotels, bars, nightclubs or tourist spots in Bali or Jakarta.
Major hotels in Bali said late yesterday they had yet to be informed by police of any increased security threat or of any need to upgrade security.
But most say that since the 2002 bombing, they have upgraded their general security to meet international standards.
While the travel advice has technically not been upgraded, the Government wants people to cancel travel plans.
And it has warned Australians in Indonesia to exercise extreme caution and avoid places frequented by Westerners.
authority
No comments:
Post a Comment