'Terrorist threat' to tsunami aid workers
February 20, 2005
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The Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, yesterday warned terrorists may be planning to attack foreign aid workers helping to rehabilitate Indonesia's tsunami-devastated Aceh region.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) revised its travel advice for Indonesia, warning that Australians could put themselves in danger by travelling to northern Sumatra.
"New information [has been] received by the Government concerning possible terrorist planning for attacks against foreigners involved in relief efforts in Aceh or other areas of northern Sumatra," Mr Downer said in a statement.
"The Government is working closely with Indonesian authorities and other governments involved in the relief effort to address this new threat information.
"The Government is keeping the security situation in Aceh under close review and new information will be brought to the attention of the public through my department's travel advice."
Australians should only travel to Aceh to help the post-tsunami relief effort if they are working with a recognised aid organisation that has coordinated security with Indonesian authorities, DFAT said.
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All those not involved in the relief effort should leave the region, the department said.
The Australian Embassy in Jakarta will brief Australian organisations and individuals involved in the relief effort about possible terrorist attacks, Mr Downer said.
AAP