Terror still exists in RI, says U.S.

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 07/10/2008 10:14 AM  |  National

The recent breakup of an alleged Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) militant cell in South Sumatra shows terrorism is still a threat in Indonesia despite improved security, the U.S. ambassador said Wednesday.

Washington lifted its travel warning to Indonesia in May due to "objective improvements" of the security situation.

But the arrest of 10 terror suspects with a cache of powerful bombs in South Sumatra between June 28 and July 2 highlights that the danger remains, Ambassador Cameron Hume said in Bali, as quoted by Antara news agency.

"We believe the threat of terrorism in Indonesia has in the past few years been reduced and the country is now safe," Hume said.

"But the arrest of several terror suspects in Palembang, South Sumatra, recently proves the threat of terrorism still exists in Indonesia."

JI has been blamed for multiple attacks in Southeast Asia including the Bali bombings in 2002 and 2005 that killed more than 200 people.

The U.S. travel warning was issued in 2000 after a string of bombings in Jakarta which were also attributed to the JI network.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has urged Australia to lift its similar travel warning but Canberra has resisted, citing persistent threats to foreigners.

Despite the recent arrests of suspected JI members, the Australian government has maintained its travel advice, which suggests that Australian nationals reconsider their trip to Indonesia, including Bali, due to "the very high threat of terrorist attack".

The Australian Embassy in Indonesia says it has continued to receive reports indicating that terrorists are planning attacks on a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

The travel warning is just below the country's highest alert level, under which Canberra would advise Australians not to travel to a certain destination.

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