US closes diplomatic missions in Indonesia amid 'terrorist threat'
Australian Broadcasting Corporation  | May 26, 2005
 

The United States has announced the closure of all its diplomatic missions in Indonesia because of a security threat.

A message on the US embassy website says the risk of terrorist attacks in Indonesia remains high, but does not give details of a specific threat.

"Attacks could occur at any time and could be directed at any location, including those frequented by foreigners and identifiably American and other Western facilities or businesses in Indonesia," the message says.

The closures come as the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, is on a high-profile visit to the US.

Islamic militants believed to be linked to al Qaeda have launched several bomb attacks in Indonesia in recent years, including one last September outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta that killed 10 people.

Besides its heavily fortified embassy in central Jakarta, the US has consulates in the city of Surabaya in East Java province and on the resort island of Bali.

There is also a US representative office in the city of Medan in Sumatra.
 
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. EMBASSY WARDEN MESSAGE

May 26, 2005

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

The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Consulate General wish to inform all American citizens in Indonesia that the Embassy, Consulate General and all other U.S. Government facilities in Indonesia will be closed beginning May 26, 2005 until further notice because of a security threat.

....

The Embassy reminds all Americans that the terrorist threat in Indonesia remains high. Attacks could occur at any time and could be directed against any location, including those frequented by foreigners and identifiably American and other western facilities or businesses in Indonesia.