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| Southeast Asia |
| Indonesian terrorists may be planning Christmas attacks - US embassy |
| 2005-12-22 |
| The U.S. Embassy warned Thursday that the threat of terrorist attacks targeting Westerners in Indonesia over the Christmas and New Year holidays was very high. The Indonesian government also said thousands of troops would help provide security and protect dignitaries during the holiday season. Maps and explosives obtained in a police raid on a terrorist's hideout last month indicated the al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah was in the advanced stages of planning attacks, the embassy said in an e-mail to citizens. Indonesian authorities also warned recently that Islamic extremists may be planning to kidnap foreigners over the holidays, and a recently discovered website provided step-by-step instructions on how to gun down Westerners in the streets of Jakarta. "The embassy reminds Americans that in recent years terrorist attacks have occurred in Indonesia during the Christmas and New Year's holiday season," the U.S. message said, calling on citizens to remain vigilant and to vary the routes and times of their daily activities. "The possibility of terrorist attacks appears even higher this year." The world's most populous Muslim nation has been hit by five suicide bombings targeting Western interests since 2002 — including Oct. 1 restaurant attacks on the resort island of Bali — that together killed more than 240 people. Near simultaneous church bombings on Christmas Eve five years ago killed another 19. Indonesian military chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said Thursday thousands of troops would join police in providing security over the two-week holiday. Additional guards and patrols also were being deployed to protect high-ranking officials, diplomats and foreigners from potential kidnappings, said police deputy spokesman Anton Bachrul Alam. Though Jemaah Islamiyah's bomb-making expert Azhari bin Husin was killed last month during a police raid on his hideout, authorities have repeatedly warned that the terror group was still capable of carrying out attacks. Dozens of bombs and maps were found at the hideout, and a videotape showed a hooded man threatening attacks on American, Australian, Italian and British citizens for their support of the war in Iraq. The U.S. embassy said terrorists appear to be changing their tactics. "They are likely now planning to attack Westerners riding in cars or walking on streets, sidewalks or pedestrian overpasses in Jakarta," its message said. The Australian government issued its own Christmas holiday warning Wednesday, advising its citizens against traveling to Indonesia — especially Bali. A similar warning also was issued Thursday by the Danish Foreign Ministry on its website, which urged "great caution" when in public places where Westerners gather. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |