News Search Search this site or the web powered by FreeFind Site search Web search Story archive		18-10-2002 Scotsman Mixed messages over south-east Asia By Gethin Chamberlain FOR anyone planning to travel to the Far East in the next few days, the messages emanating from governments around the world yesterday could not have been more confusing. Australia warned its citizens to stay away from six more countries in addition to Indonesia, citing "disturbing new information" it had received about the potential terrorist threat. Taiwan said its citizens should exert caution when they travelled to any country in south-east Asia, and singled out the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga, where five people were killed in bomb attacks, for special mention. New Zealand and Canada cautioned their citizens against any travel to Indonesia. But while the Foreign Office toughened its warnings on travel to Indonesia, it stuck to its view that most countries in the region were still safe to visit. Even as Britain began to withdraw non-essential staff and dependants from its embassy in Jakarta, Richard Gozney, the British ambassador, was playing down the Australian warnings. He said British officials would speak to Australia about its new information but he doubted Australians were being targeted more than other Westerners. He said all Britons should avoid tourist hot-spots in the country. "British people who are here, whether long-term residents or tourists, should avoid the sort of places where Westerners are known to gather - bars and restaurants and so on - and we're keeping under daily review the question of what we say to people about whether staying here or leaving," he said. Alexander Downer, the Australian foreign minister, had earlier warned that Westerners faced a risk from possible terrorist activities in Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. A few hours earlier, he said, Australia and New Zealand had uncovered "disturbing new information" about more terrorist threats against Westerners in Indonesia. Urging tourists and others without essential business to get out without delay, he said: "The decision to amend our travel advice is based on disturbing new information of generic threats to Australians and Australian interests in Indonesia." He later said the information "relates more broadly to Westerners". Phil Goff, the New Zealand foreign minister, issued a similar statement. But although Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, later added his voice to those calling on Westerners to leave Indonesia, by late yesterday afternoon the Foreign Office was continuing to advise would-be travellers that the new countries cited by the Australians remained safe for travel. All were listed as essentially trouble free, with most advice concentrating on the avoidance of crime rather than terrorist activity. The Foreign Office advice noted that there was a general threat to Western interests in parts of south-east Asia and suggested that following the terrorist attacks on Bali, British nationals should remain alert and take sensible precautions for their personal safety. A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office yesterday insisted that the other countries named by the Australians remained under review, but she said Britain would listen to its own sources of information. Mr Straw dismissed suggestions that Britain had been slow following Australia's decision to warn travellers away from Indonesia. "We err on the side of caution in giving our travel advice but also on the basis of very careful consideration," he said. The Foreign Secretary insisted the British delay in following the Australia lead was "partly affected by time zones but also about different considerations that apply to different nationals". He said he would not be issuing any fresh travel advice on the other six countries. "We have to make our own decisions and we do these things as quickly as possible," he said. "On Saturday night, as soon as we heard of the atrocity in Bali we recommended against all travel to Bali, and all but essential travel to elsewhere in Indonesia. "In the light of further information and consideration this morning, I have now agreed that we should advise against all travel to Indonesia, and also to recommend that all British citizens should consider leaving Indonesia if their presence is not essential. "I have also authorised the withdrawal of some dependants and of non-essential staff from the British embassy in Jakarta. "British citizens who remain should exercise extreme caution, especially in public places, including pubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreational venues and other locations frequented by foreigners. "And it goes without saying, as is always the case in situations like this, that we shall continue to keep the travel advice to Indonesia and to other countries in the region under review." Despite the advice that most other destinations remained safe for travel, Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, yesterday warned his Cabinet colleagues to expect more terrorist outrages like the Bali bombings. He told ministers at their regular weekly meeting that if those prepared to commit such acts were prepared to try often enough they would probably sometimes succeed. Mr Blair's official spokesman said that in relation to Bali and global terrorism the Prime Minister told colleagues that the events of the weekend had been "absolutely appalling". The spokesman added: "He said that we hadn't heard the end of it. He did say that if people try a sufficient number of times then the likelihood is that in some instances they were going to get through." Malaysian police said they believe a Malaysian with bomb-making skills could have been involved in the Bali massacre. Azahari Husin, 45, a member of the Jemaah Islamiah group which is widely blamed for Saturday's attack, is thought to have fled to Indonesia from Malaysia when authorities there began arresting extremists after the 11 September attacks . "Azahari is well-trained in all types of bombs, especially remote-controlled explosives. He has experience in handling large amounts of explosives," a senior Malaysian official said.
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