US Shelves Indonesia Travel Warning

The US has canceled its seven-year warning against travel to Indonesia. The US government deems the security situation to have improved and the Indonesian government has welcomed the move describing it as long overdue. The warning was imposed in November 2000 following sectarian conflicts and terrorist attacks. The worst of the bombings was a double suicide attack on Bali nightclubs in 2002 and the last bombing was in Bali in October 2005.

The ruling was lifted on Friday because of “objective improvements made by Indonesia in its current security situation” according to US ambassador Cameron Hume.

Travel insurance will now be far easier to come by for Americans and Indonesia’s trade minister Mari Pangestu believes the move will make Indonesia more attractive to US investors, holidaymakers and companies looking for meeting venues.

Regarding travel to Indonesia the UK Foreign Office advice is as follows: “There remains a high threat from terrorism in Indonesia. We believe that terrorists continue to plan attacks, which could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. Terrorist attacks in Bali in October 2005 and October 2002 killed and injured a number of British nationals. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid large crowds, political gatherings and demonstrations.”

Written by Rupert Murray
Published on TTG Live - ttglive.com