TOURISTS WARNED OVER TRAVEL TO INDONESIA

By Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Australian tourists are being warned to
rethink travelling to Indonesia after the country announced it would soon
execute the Bali bombers.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its
travel advice for Indonesia, warning that the imminent execution of the trio
would compound an already significant terrorism risk.

"The Indonesian Government announced on Oct 24 that the three individuals
convicted for involvement in the 2002 Bali bombing would be executed in early
November," says an updated advice on DFAT's Smarttraveller website.

"We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including
Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack.

"If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, you should exercise extreme
caution."

The advice states that Australian authorities were continuing to receive
reports that terrorists were planning attacks against targets, including Western
interests, and places visited by foreigners.

It says there have been "recent arrests of high-level terrorist operatives
in Indonesia" but terrorists were still planning attacks and "these attacks
could take place at any time".

"You should take particular care to avoid places known to be terrorist
targets," the advice states.
-- BERNAMA