US drops Indonesia travel warning By John Aglionby in Jakarta Published: May 25 2008 18:29 | Last updated: May 25 2008 18:29 The US has cancelled its seven-year travel warning for Indonesia, after determining that the once-dangerous security situation had improved.
The Indonesian government welcomed the move, saying it was "long overdue", and hoped it would stimulate improved links between the two countries. Australia, whose Jakarta embassy was bombed in 2004, is now one of the few nations that still warns citizens of "the very high threat of terrorist attack" in the world's most populous Muslim nation. The US warning was imposed in November 2000 after a series of terrorist attacks and an eruption of communal conflicts. Islamist militants carried out bombings every year from 2002 to 2005, including a double suicide attack on Bali nightclubs in 2002 There have been no major incidents since a second Bali bombing in October 2005. Hundreds of terror suspects have been arrested and, unlike in many countries, prosecuted transparently. This has greatly helped to win over public opinion. Security forces have also turned numerous suspects into informants and the government has launched high-profile campaigns to educate people who attend Islamic schools about why terrorism violates Islamic teaching. Cameron Hume, the US ambassador, said the ruling was lifted on May 23 "due to objective improvements made by Indonesia in its current security situation". Mr Hume added that the embassy would not relax its security precautions and urged public facilities in Indonesia "to maintain their current high level of security since security threats continue to exist". Americans should now find it much easier to obtain travel insurance for Indonesia. For the past seven years many Indonesian exporters have had to travel abroad to meet potential buyers. The US still has travel warnings for 28 countries, including East Timor, the Philippines and Burma in south-east Asia. Mari Pangestu, Indonesia's trade minister, told the Financial Times the decision was "important" because it should make Indonesia more attractive to American investors, holidaymakers and companies looking for meeting venues. "It's part of the gradual improvement of the image of Indonesia," she said. "Not just on this front but also in terms of our transition to a full democracy." Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
