National

“Australia Avoids Insurance Claims Through Travel Warning”
Wednesday, 22 December, 2004 | 12:29 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian government suspects that the travel warning issued by the Australian government to its citizens, warning them not to visit Indonesia due to terrorist threats, is aimed at anticipating possible insurance claims.

“The government has to provide compensation to its citizens should any terrorist act take place,” said Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda in Jakarta on Friday (17/12).

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry issued this statement in response to the statement made by the Australian government early last week that banned its citizens from visiting Indonesia.

The Australian government issued the travel warning based on information given by Australian intelligence, mentioning a planned terrorist attack in Indonesia in the run-up to New Year’s Eve.

According to Wirajuda, the Australian government seems to have made the issuing of such travel warnings a routine activity at the end of the year, approaching the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Wirajuda stated that this warning would only benefit terrorists as they have succeeded in their intention of creating panic.

According to Wirajuda, the Indonesian government issued its response to the warning made by the Australian government through the National Police and the Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security.

“We really regret this warning. The Australian government should have given the information they had received to the National Police headquarters,” stated Wirajuda.

National Police headquarters Anti-Terror Director VI Brig. Gen. Pranowo Dahlan said that the travel warnings made by the Australian, British and New Zealand governments regarding Indonesia were premature.

“Because none of these warnings are yet to be proven,” said Dahlan.

Dahlan said that the National Police had already investigated this information and found that it was untrue.

“We have checked this information and there is no real proof regarding this matter,” Dahlan stated.
(Evy Flamboyant/Martha Warta S-Tempo News Room)