Indonesia Hot Spot Report

Designation of a Foreign Terrorist Organization

Secretary Colin L. Powell
Washington, DC
October 23, 2002

The United States is taking several important steps today as part of our continuing efforts to combat global terrorism. I am announcing the designation of the Jemaah Islamiya organization (JI), which was founded by Abdullah Sungkar, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. I am also announcing the designation of JI under Executive Order 13224.

In addition to these actions, the United States will join Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Timor Leste (East Timor), and other partners around the world to ask the relevant United Nations sanctions committee to include JI on its consolidated list of individuals and entities the assets of which member states are required to freeze in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 1267 and 1390. This joint referral to the UN sanctions committee is a powerful signal that the countries of Southeast Asia will not tolerate terrorism on their territory and that they are committed to working with the international community to put a stop to wanton acts of terror. Click here to get the entire story from the U.S. State Department...

19 Oct 2002

Failed U.S. Embassy Attack a Warning of More to Come

By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst in Australia
     C. L. Staten, ERRI Sr. Analyst

JAKARTA, INDONESIA: Police in Jakarta confirmed that a grenade, which exploded in a four-wheel drive van on Monday killing the driver, was intended for U.S. Embassy property. Immediately after the attack the Indonesian government was forced to defend itself against internal allegations that it is "soft on terrorism," an opinion that causes concern among Emergency Response and Research Institute (ERRI) analysts who believe more attacks may be imminent.

Authorities said the grenade was going to be used against an unoccupied house belonging to the U.S. embassy in Teluk Betung in Menteng district Central Jakarta, but detonated prematurely killing a man identified only as Yusuf. Two other people inside the Toyota Kijang van fled the scene after the explosion.

Following the grenade explosion, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told the Jakarta Post that that despite the terrorist activity, Indonesia had "never remained idle" when facing terrorism. Yudhoyono disputed recent criticism by domestic pressure groups in Jakarta who claimed the government was not doing anything about security and terrorism issues.

In early June Indonesian police were responsible for arresting Omar al-Furuq, a senior al-Qaeda chief who was responsible for a series of attacks on Indonesian churches on Christmas Day 2000, killed 18 people and wounded 2000. The arrests were the only major counter-terrorism action by the Indonesian Government during the past 12 months. It should be noted, however, that according to a New York Times report on 23 Sept 2002, at least a portion of Indonesian society dismisses al-Furug's statements as a "U.S. plot to manipulate the Indonesian government."

The pressure groups, who are tired of the government's inactivity, urged Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri and the House of Representatives to take leadership and seek consultation about fighting terrorism in Indonesia. Especially since the Bush administration recently warned the Indonesian government that U.S. intelligence had uncovered two plots to assassinate Sukarnoputri.

Analysts from ERRI are concerned that Indonesia's lack of  serious response to terrorism is allowing the unhindered formation and expansion of terrorist groups in that country. Jemaah Islamiya (JI) is reported to already have a major base in Indonesia, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) is growing in western regions, and for years al-Qaeda has been suspected of setting up training camps and cells in the country.

Although terrorist attacks of the scale perpetrated in the United States on September 11 are unlikely in Indonesia, the tactics and capabilities of Asian terrorist organizations suggest that small-scale numerous attacks against multiple targets is likely. More specifically, multiple terrorist attacks against US interests in and around Jakarta and the Aceh province are likely.

After receiving specific and credible threats about an imminent attack by the JI terrorist organization, U.S. intelligence also acknowledges the threat by closing the U.S. Embassy in Surabaya, East Java, for four days around the September 11 anniversary.

The Asia and Pacific region is regarded by many in the United States Government as the second-front on the war on terrorism and that the next major attack against U.S. interests will come from one of the terrorist groups there. Despite the efforts of Singaporean authorities, who have arrested 40 people in the past year, and Malaysian authorities who have 60 people in custody on suspicion of terror, at least a dozen organizations continue to operate freely.

Tuesday 27th August 2002

Indonesian Terrorist Admits Link to Militant Group; Denies Jemaah Islamiya Involvement

By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst

PHILIPPINES: An Indonesian militant who is believed responsible for two major bombings in the Philippines that killed 22 people has sent a fax to various media outlets maintaining he is not a terrorist, despite admitting he is linked to an Indonesian militant group. Agus Dwikarna was arrested last March at Manila Airport and claims that Philippine police fabricated evidence in order to have him charged with illegal possession of explosives.

Philippine authorities also found evidence of links between him and the Jemaah Islamiya (JI) terrorist organization. "I am not a terrorist. I know nothing about the Jemaah Islamiya or Al Qaeda and their activities," said Dwikarna in the media statement. He admits to being a member of the lesser-known Lakas Jundullah militant Islamist group in Indonesia, but claims to have no extremist ties.

Authorities said Dwikarna was behind the December 2000 bombings of an elevated railway system in Manila that killed 22 people and the Philippine embassy in Indonesia, in which two people were killed.

Philippine authorities have linked Dwikarna to Fathur Rohman Al Ghozi, who was an explosives expert contracted to work for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) terrorist group who operated in the north of the country. Al Ghozi was arrested in January for possession of one ton of explosives.

Dwikarna is the second JI terrorist to publicly deny involvement in the group. Earlier this year, Usama bin Laden's brother-in-law, Mohammad Jamal Khalifa told international media agencies he was not involved with JI, or it's leader Riduan Isamuddin (Hambali). Philippine and Singaporean authorities believe Khalifa was the financial officer and a high ranking member of JI, possibly masterminding the failed attempt to attack U.S., Australian and British interests in Singapore last December.

27 July 2002

Explosions Strike Christian Area in Moluccas

INDONESIA: At least 51 people have been wounded after two explosions ripped through a busy market in the city of Ambon, in the Moluccas islands. Ten of the wounded were said to be in serious condition. Reports say the blasts - believed to have been caused by a bombs - occurred in a busy shopping area in a Christian neighborhood of the divided city at about 09:00 hours local time (00:00GMT).

Sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians has killed thousands of people in the past three years in the Moluccas. Analysts say there are fears that this incident could threaten a peace deal signed by the Christian and Muslim communities in February. The victims of the blasts included a one-year-old baby and a four-year-old girl.

14 Jan 2001

TODAY'S CENTRAL FOCUS

Is Al-Qaeda Lurking In Indonesia?

[Terror Group Reference: al-Qaeda, Laskar Jihad and Laskar Mujaheddin]

INDONESIA: U.S. intelligence has long known that Usama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network has had its tentacles in Indonesia. In August 2001, it was learned that al-Qaeda had acquired a highly detailed, hand-drawn map of the U.S. diplomatic compound in Jakarta. The discovery stoked immediate fears of a U.S. Embassy bombing similar to those in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. Since the 9/11 attacks on New York and the Pentagon, signs of al Qaeda activity in Indonesia have reportedly multiplied. U.S. and Indonesian intelligence officials say they believe that hundreds of foreigners who may be linked to al-Qaeda and coming from as far away as Europe visited a secret training camp last year in the jungles of Sulawesi, an island in central Indonesia.

The leader of the country's largest and most-violent Muslim militia has acknowledged to police that he was offered financial backing by a bin Laden aide. And intelligence officials said they have identified links between bin Laden and a prominent Muslim cleric who heads a paramilitary group. U.S. officials also have become increasingly concerned that some al-Qaeda members may have established "sleeper cells" in Indonesia that could become operational now that many of the group's leaders in Afghanistan have been forced into hiding, captured or killed.

But despite such information, U.S. and Indonesian officials said they still are trying to ascertain the scope of al-Qaeda's operations in Indonesia and the network's connections with indigenous extremist groups. The prospect of significant al-Qaeda activity in Indonesia has prompted the U.S. to put Indonesia on a short list of nations to focus on as the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism expands beyond Afghanistan.

In many ways, Indonesia is an easy place for terrorist groups to operate. Composed of more than 17,000 islands, it has some of the world's most porous borders. Law enforcement and banking regulations are lax. Guns and explosives are easy to purchase. Indonesia also is home to several radical Muslim groups, which want the officially secular nation to adopt rigid Islamic laws. Although most Indonesians do not support the local militants, the strength of the groups has mushroomed in recent years, fueled in part by increasing poverty and a surging interest in fanatical fundamentalist Islamic theology.

A sectarian conflict in the Moluccas islands, where for three years Muslim militants have been waging a jihad against Christian villagers, provides foreign trainees exposure to fighting. Indonesian police and military officials have publicly denied that foreign terrorist groups have set up training camps in the country. But privately, intelligence and government officials said they believe al-Qaeda operatives ran a makeshift training facility on Sulawesi last year. The camp, officials said, was located in dense jungle near the port city of Poso, which has been the scene of religious fighting.

The officials said the camp, a collection of ramshackle huts where recruits were taught how to use automatic weapons and build bombs, was operated by al-Qaeda  members with the assistance of local Muslim militants. Unlike other paramilitary training facilities in Indonesia, a country where political groups often have armed wings, this camp was a well-kept secret. Indonesian intelligence officials estimated that over the past year several hundred people, many of them from Europe, Pakistan and the Middle East, entered the country posing as aid workers to reach the camp.

The officials said that in August and October, police briefly detained several non-Indonesians traveling in the Poso area, but they were released after showing local officials a letter from a Muslim charity based in southern Sulawesi stating they were going to Poso to help rebuild mosques. A senior Indonesian intelligence official said investigators subsequently discovered that the charity, known as the "Crisis Prevention Committee," had connections to Usama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. Police have concluded the foreigners were probably going to or from the camp when they were detained.

The senior official said intelligence agents began looking for the camp after authorities in Spain passed along information that had been obtained in the investigation of eight suspected al-Qaeda members arrested in November. The evidence indicated that hundreds of foreign fighters had traveled to the Poso area for training last year.

U.S. and Indonesian officials say they suspect al-Qaeda is associated with the Laskar Jihad and Laskar Mujaheddin militant groups, but they lack evidence to make a conclusive link. A U.S. official said it remains unclear whether significant numbers of al-Qaeda operatives remain in Indonesia.

Discovery of the hand-drawn map of the U.S. diplomatic compound was confirmed by U.S. officials, who declined to give a full account of the incident, citing national security concerns. After the map was found, already-tight security at the embassy was increased and U.S. counter- terrorism experts mounted an intense investigation into who might be planning an attack, but their efforts yielded no definitive suspects.

The map's existence added to fears for the compound's security in October, after the United States began its bombing campaign in Afghanistan. Thousands of protesters besieged the embassy, causing the State Department to evacuate nonessential diplomatic personnel from the country.

The lack of firm intelligence about al-Qaeda is one of the key challenges facing the United States as it attempts to broaden its campaign against terrorism. For years, Western intelligence agencies paid little attention to Indonesia as a potential base for international terrorists. The country's intelligence services also failed to collect information, because they were distracted by separatist rebellions and almost four years of political turmoil in the capital, Jakarta. Indonesia's economic problems hampered what little intelligence-gathering was attempted. The government cannot afford equipment that is standard in many countries, including devices to monitor cellular phones.

Even if details of al-Qaeda's operations in Indonesia become clearer, pursuing terrorists in the conflict-racked country of 220 million could prove to be a problem. Unlike Somalia or Iraq, Indonesia has a friendly relation- ship with the United States, making unilateral military action by Washington highly unlikely. Cooperating with local forces, as the United States is doing in the Philippines, also is doubtful because of a U.S. law, passed in the wake of the Indonesian army's human-rights abuses in East Timor, that prevents military assistance to Indonesia. U.S. military officials have said the law should be rescinded in the interest of the war on terrorism.

U.S. officials also have quietly expanded the scope of intelligence about terrorist-related issues that is shared with Indonesia, with the hope that it might spur police and military leaders to take more aggressive steps to crack down on extremist groups. But the effort has so far received a mixed reception.

Sunday 2nd December 2001

Laskar Jihad Chases Christians From Home in "Retaliation" Attacks

By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst

The Muslim militia group Laskar Jihad chased thousands of  Christian villagers from their homes on Saturday in a major campaign on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Witnesses said the attackers were armed with AK-47 machine guns, rocket launchers and used bulldozers to destroy hundreds of homes in the island's capital Poso.

The Laskar Jihad Web site claimed the attacks were in  retaliation for violence against Muslims being organized by Christian priests. A spokesman in Jakarta for the militia group refused to comment on Saturday's campaign.

Langgino Sangkide, a Roman Catholic priest from the nearby town of Tentena, said that police had attempted to stop the Muslim militia but arrived too late.

Laskar Jihad is the main fighting group on the island of Sulawesi and in 1999 was responsible for starting the islands only sectarian conflict, which has claimed more than 1,000 lives to date. The actual size of the group is unknown, but is believed to be at least several hundred in strength. A report by the United Nations warned that continual conflict on the island might lead to a refugee crisis and that fighting had already displaced more than 50,000.

Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri has not issued  any statement about the latest fighting. In the past she has been seemingly reluctant to take any action against even radical Muslim groups, allegedly  because they made-up a majority of her election support.

INDONESIA:

Indonesia - Travel Warning

August 10, 2001

The Department of State urges American citizens to defer nonessential travel to Indonesia and all travel to Aceh, Maluku, Papua, West Timor, Central and West Kalimantan (Borneo) and Central Sulawesi. Those who must travel to Indonesia, or who are resident there, should exercise extreme caution.

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta has received information that indicates extremist elements may be planning to target U.S. interests in Indonesia, particularly U.S. Government facilities, and could also extend to U.S. tourists and tour groups. In addition, social unrest and violence can erupt with little forewarning anywhere in the country. Bombings of religious, political and business targets have occurred throughout the country.

In light of this threat to U.S. interests, all American citizens in Indonesia, including tourists and hotel guests, should take precautions to ensure their safety. American citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to reduce their vulnerability. Americans in Indonesia should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion...

For further information, U.S. citizens planning to visit or reside in Indonesia are advised to consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Indonesia. The Consular Information Sheet is available at any U.S. embassy or consulate abroad and through the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at http://travel.state.gov

INSTANT - 08::00CDT- 23 July 2001/20:00 (Local) - 23 July 2001

Transition Underway; Megawati Sukarnoputri Takes Over in Troubled Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia (EmergencyNet News) --  (The MPR) states that Abdurrahman Wahid is removed from the presidency before his term ends because he clearly violated the state guidelines...and therefore Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri is appointed as the president of the republic of Indonesia," MPR assembly speaker Amien Rais said. As was previously anticipated, Megawati was then sworn in as the new President.

The prime issue that remains is whether or not Abdurrahman Wahid will accept the decision of the MPR and step down gracefully. Yesterday, in the midst of the impending impeachment, Wahid likened his efforts to stay in office to a "jihad" or "holy war." Today, following the impeachment, he remains holed up in a heavily guarded Presidential palace, where several hundred hard core supporters have also gathered.

Certainly, everyone is hoping for a peaceful resolution to Wahid's departure. Officials from the United States, Australia, the European Union, and other Asian countries have all "called for calm" and urged an uneventful transition of power. And, Jakarta so far has remained calm, with no reports of disturbances or other violence. Virtually everyone outside of Indonesia hopes it stays that way...the question is whether or not Wahid and his supporters will cooperate. EmergencyNet News is monitoring events in Indonesia closely and will provide additional details as circumstances warrant...

INSTANT - 20:00CDT- 22 July 2001/08:00 (Local) - 23 July 2001

Indonesian Presidential Crisis Developing Rapidly...

Jakarta, Indonesia (EmergencyNet News) -- According to both military and press sources, President Abdurrahman Wahid's has today declared "a state of emergency" and attempted to dissolve the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Contrary to Wahid's order, MPR speaker Amien Rais reportedly then said impeachment proceedings against Wahid will continue.

To further buttress the MPR position, a letter issued within the past hour by the Supreme Court's chief justice said, "The issuance of that presidential decree (on the state of emergency) is against the law."

Police and military forces are said to either be in place or enroute to protect the parliamentary body as it carries out its impeachment deliberations. ERRI analysts say that following Wahid's declaration, a constitutional crisis has been created, and that if Wahid is successfully impeached, the political issue may soon spill over into the streets as militant Wahid supporters express their displeasure with the MPR.

ERRI crisis analysts say that unless some sort of political accommodation is reached soon that there is a distinct possibility of civil unrest and that the situation could even disintegrate into a civil war. 

22 July 2001

INDONESIA:

TODAY'S CENTRAL FOCUS:

Church Explosions Rock Jakarta

As people were attending Sunday morning services in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, explosions went off in or near two churches. More than 40 people were reported wounded. Two are said to have lost limbs, and some were crushed when a church roof fell on top of them. One witness said that shortly before one blast he saw a man carrying a bag approach a vehicle parked outside a church, and then hurry away.

Police said there was a direct link between the explosions and the political crisis in the country, following President Abdurrahman Wahid's renewed threat to impose a state of emergency. He has been summoned to appear before the upper house of parliament on Monday, for an impeachment hearing which could result in his removal as head of state. Wahid has declared that he will not appear before the assembly and has made veiled threats that his supporters will take matters into their own hands to prevent him being deposed.

The first explosion went off inside the Santa Ana Catholic church, in the east of the city, shortly after 07:00 hours local time (00:00 GMT), as about 700 people were attending mass. Part of the ceiling fell in, and windows were shattered. Among the injured were children and a pregnant woman.

The second explosion, minutes later at the Huriah Kristen Batak Protestant church, caused no injuries, as the morning service had already finished. Part of the church roof caved in and two cars parked outside were damaged.

On Saturday, Wahid appealed to his followers not to turn to violence - but publicly warned that the popular mood might be hard to control. A special session of the national assembly voted by an overwhelming majority to summon the president to answer allegations of corruption and incompetence. If Wahid is voted out of office, Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri is likely to take over.

The country is left in turmoil, under full police alert, and is expected to  remain so for the next week. On Friday, Wahid went ahead with the controversial installation of a new police chief - though only in a temporary capacity - and this is what appears to have prompted MPs to bring forward the impeachment proceedings earlier than the previously announced August 1st deadline.

Excerpted from: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Saturday, July 21, 2001-Vol. 7, No. 202

INDONESIA:

Wahid Refuses to Appear: Again Threatens to Disband Parliament

Jakarta (EmergencyNet News) Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid on Saturday defiantly said he would refuse to appear before the country's People's Consultative Assembly to answer corruption charges, and an close political ally reiterated a threat that Wahid might declare a "state of emergency." Such a move would allow him to dissolve the legislative body, essentially trumping its bid to impeach him. Wahid publicly called the impending impeachment proceedings "an illegal meeting."

Insiders said that Wahid would continue to negotiate with his political opponents in an attempt to reach some sort of "back-room deal," that could forestall impeachment. Security forces, who oppose the "state of emergency," were said to be on high alert to protect the Assembly hearing against possible unrest by Wahid supporters.

18 July 2001

INDONESIA:.

Troops Kill Three Rebels In Aceh

The military said on Wednesday that government troops shot and killed three more separatist rebels in Aceh province. Among the latest casualties in the conflict was a deputy GAM commander in Tamiang area in East Aceh. The rebel commander was fatally shot during a raid on his house in Manyak Payed subdistrict on Tuesday.

Another GAM leader in East Aceh was gunned down by military troops on Tuesday after he had come out of his camp in the village of Pante Rambong in Lhoknibong area. The third GAM member, a 25-year-old man, was shot and killed in Blang Bintang area of Aceh Besar district on Tuesday after he tried to drive his car into several soldiers who were crossing a street in the area.

17 July 2001

INDONESIA:

Aceh Violence Kills Seven More

The military said that fighting between government security forces and separatist rebels claimed another seven lives. Among the latest casualties in the conflict was a man, whose body, with two gunshot wounds to the back, was found on Tuesday about 20 miles east of Banda Aceh. A teenager who was wounded by gunfire from security forces shortly after a clash with rebels in the same area on Sunday, died of his injuries in hospital late Monday.

A suspected rebel was also killed in a clash with soldiers in South Aceh on Monday. In South Aceh villagers found the body of a man with extensive slash wounds. And local residents said a senior figure in the Tangan-tangan subdistrict, was shot and killed by two unidentified gunmen shortly after midnight Monday.

11 July 2001

EAST TIMOR ...

U.S. State Department Issues Public Announcement

On 11 July, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Public Announcement for East Timor:

"American citizens traveling to East Timor should exercise extreme caution. East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia in an August 30, 1999 referendum and is currently under the authority of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). Violence erupted throughout East Timor after the United Nations-sponsored referendum in that province. Stability has been established throughout the territory since the arrival of international forces.

During the year 2000, East Timor witnessed a significant increase in all categories of crime, violent and non-violent, due in large part to the decimated economy. Approximately half the crime occurs in the capital of Dili. Gangs of unemployed East Timorese often roam the city at night looking for residences to burglarize. Expatriates are being targeted more frequently as they are perceived to be wealthy and easy targets. American citizens are strongly encouraged to exercise caution, particularly at night, and to avoid large crowds or demonstrations.

Travelers should also avoid areas along the border between East and West Timor. Militia incursions have occurred in the western and central districts of East Timor, and travelers wishing to visit these areas may wish to consult United Nations authorities in Dili before their journey. Travelers to East Timor should be aware that suitable accommodations outside of Dili are virtually non-existent."

09 July 2001

INDONESIA:

Impending Crisis Warning Issued By Indonesian President

Speaking after political opponents boycotted crisis talks, Indonesia's President Abdurrahman Wahid renewed his threat to call a state of emergency unless impeachment proceedings him are dropped. Wahid said he would dissolve parliament if a compromise was not found by 20 July. Monday's proposed talks had been seen as a last-ditch effort by the Indonesian leader to work a deal with political parties ahead of a national assembly special session on 1 August expected to impeach him. But his main political opponent Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri refused to attend the meeting.

Other political leaders said without the presence of Megawati, who leads the country's largest political party, the Indonesian Democracy Party for Struggle (PDIP), the talks would be pointless. Afterwards, Wahid said the impeachment process was illegal and a threat to the nation. Megawati warned on Monday that disintegration of Indonesia's political system had become a real threat.

Speaking to an armed forces think-tank, Magawati said certain groups had adopted violence as a tool to further their interest and ambitions. She said Indonesians had to find "a democratic, civilized and responsible...way out of this critical time" or history might one day portray her people as a "barbarian race" who did not understand the difference between anarchy and democracy...

05 July 2001

INDONESIA:

Battles In Indonesian Sulawesi Claim 18 Lives; Religious-Inspired Violence Again Rears Its Ugly Head

Police said at least 18 people, mostly women and children, were killed in another outbreak of communal violence on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. A gang of men wearing masks and armed with home-made guns reportedly attacked a village in the central district of Poso in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Last year, around 200 people were killed in a series of clashes between the Christian and Muslim communities. Initially, 13 bodies were found by police but more were discovered floating down the river on Wednesday. The victims are reported to be all Muslims.

There are reports of revenge attacks by the Muslim community, with buildings being set on fire, including a church in the town of Poso itself. Police are reported to have fired warning shots to restore order in the town. The situation in the area is extremely tense and authorities have announced police and military reinforcements are being sent in. Hundreds of extra policemen and soldiers are being sent to the central region of the island to prevent the violence from spreading...

01 July 2001

INDONESIA:

Raging Violence Leaves At Least 49 Dead In Aceh

Hospital sources said on Sunday that at least 49 people were killed or found dead in the violence-plagued Indonesian province of Aceh during the weekend. The violence continued as representatives of the government and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) were meeting for peace talks in Geneva. About 20 decomposing corpses were found in several difficult to access areas in Central Aceh on Sunday.

It is believed that the 20 were victims of violence in the area in mid-June. The Indonesian Red Cross volunteers who left for the area have not returned yet so the precise number of bodies is not yet known. Local residents said there were at least 20 bodies.

The area where the bodies were found is in hills about 50 miles east of Takengon. Scores of people went missing there in mid-June when separatist rebels clashed with armed military-backed militias in violence that left a confirmed 45 killed, scores of buildings burned and hundreds of refugees. Meanwhile, 26 bodies with gunshot wounds were also found in Central Aceh on Saturday. Some of the bodies were also burned beyond recognition.

28 June 2001

INDONESIA:

US State Department Warns Against Indonesia Travel

The US State Department has issued a new travel warning about Indonesia. It has advised US citizens to put off all non-essential travel, and has said they should avoid some areas altogether. These are Aceh, Maluku, West Timor, Central and West Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, and Irian Jaya. The DoS said Indonesia was experiencing a major political transition, and unrest and violence could erupt with little forewarning anywhere. ERRI analysts say tension has been high as President Wahid resists attempts to make him testify at a planned impeachment hearing next month. He denies charges of corruption and incompetence.

The following is the full text of the Dos Travel Warning that was issued on 27 June: "The Department of State urges American citizens to defer nonessential travel to Indonesia and all travel to Aceh, Maluku, Papua, West Timor, Central and West Kalimantan (Borneo) and Central Sulawesi.

Those who must travel to Indonesia, or who are resident there, should exercise extreme caution. Indonesia is experiencing a major political transition, and unrest and violence can erupt with little forewarning anywhere in the country. Bombings of religious, political and business targets have occurred throughout the country. In addition, events in the Middle East have sparked anti-American protests in the past.

Due to the continuing threat of serious violence, all travel should be avoided to the regions of Aceh, Maluku, West Timor, Central and West Kalimantan and Central Sulawesi. Further, all travel by U.S. and other foreign government officials to Aceh, Papua and the Moluccas (provinces of North Maluku and Maluku) has been restricted by the Indonesian government because of security concerns. Private Americans should adhere to these same restrictions.

A massive bombing campaign struck churches throughout Indonesia on Christmas Eve, 2000, leaving at least 16 dead and over one hundred injured. Bombings occurred in the cities of Medan, Pekanbaru, Batam, Bandung, Sukabumi, Bekasi, Jakarta, Mojokerto, Surabaya and Mataram. Bombings have also occurred over the past year at Indonesian government buildings, foreign diplomatic facilities and business and financial centers, including the Jakarta Stock Exchange. More explosive devices have been discovered in Jakarta since Christmas, and there are indications that the bombings may continue.

On occasion, the U.S. mission in Indonesia may have to suspend services to the public or close because of security concerns. In those situations, the Embassy will continue to be available by telephone to offer emergency services to American citizens. Some foreign travelers in troubled areas of Indonesia have been subject to arbitrary arrest, detention and deportation and, on at least one occasion, false accusations of espionage.

In November, 2000, in the central Java city of Solo, groups opposed to U.S. policy undertook or threatened "sweeps," trying to identify American citizens and order them to depart the country. There also have been a number of acts of intimidation and violence directed at American companies and U.S. diplomatic facilities. Indonesian security officials have sometimes been unwilling or unable to respond.

The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group has been active throughout the islands in the extreme southwest Philippines, near Indonesia, and have kidnapped American citizens in the Philippines. American citizens traveling to the border regions in Northern Kalimantan and North Sulawesi, in particularly the smaller islands closer to the Philippines, are urged to review their security procedures.

American citizens resident or traveling in Indonesia are advised to exercise caution at all times, be alert to suspicious or unclaimed packages, vary times and routes and other aspects of personal daily routine and keep a low profile.

Authorities Launch Assault On Pirated Ship

Indonesian security forces stormed the hijacked tanker Selayang after a high-seas chase off the coast of Borneo. The navy and air force tracked the ship using data provided by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which bases its Piracy Reporting Center in Kuala Lumpur. IMB director Pottengal Mukundan, who is attending an anti-piracy conference, said the arrests should send a warning that Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore "will not be a safe haven for pirates."

But the captain of another ship, the Indonesian-registered Tirta Niaga, is still being held for ransom in Aceh in Indonesia. The crew of the Tirta Niaga were overpowered on Monday but sailed to Malaysia after being abandoned by the pirates on Tuesday. The pirates had taken the captain with them. The ship's owners are negotiating for his release and are reportedly demanding US$100,000 for his release.

A record number of cases of piracy were reported last year - 469 attacks. Many were in seas around Indonesia and Malaysia - an area already notorious for piracy. Figures for the first three months of 2001 indicate this year's total will be even higher.

19 June 2001

INDONESIA:

Thirteen killed in Aceh

Police in the Indonesian province of Aceh say 13 people have been killed since Sunday in the latest violence involving security forces and rebels fighting for independence. Six rebels from the Free Aceh Movement were shot and killed on Monday. But local people also accuse the police of killing three teenagers in West Aceh apparently for sheltering a group of rebels.

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of deaths from the violence - estimates say 700 people have been killed this year. Reliable sources have confirmed that militia gangs opposed to independence have now been formed in the province similar to those set up by the security forces in East Timor two years ago.

In Jakarta, police used tear gas to break up a protest of about 100 students. The students threw rocks and Molotov cocktails as they demonstrated against fuel price rises for the second day running. No serious injuries were reported but witnesses said there were several arrests. At least two protestors were injured on Monday when police fired warning bullets and tear gas in an attempt to disperse several hundred angry students who ignored orders to stop burning tires outside a university in south Jakarta.

17 June 2001

INDONESIA:

Students Clash Over Fuel Rise

At least two protesters were injured when police fired rubber bullets at hundreds of students protesting against a steep rise in fuel prices. Police also used tear gas to disperse angry students who ignored orders to stop burning tires outside a university in south Jakarta. The students at the Institute of Islamic Studies have reportedly refused to move and have been joined by residents in the area.

The government announced the 30 percent price rise on Friday, abandoning heavy subsidies in a desperate bid to reduce its huge budget deficit. The measure has prompted bus drivers in six cities to go on strike. Police and protesting students also fought in front of the Indonesian Christian University in East Jakarta after students began to throw objects at police. Police have reportedly put 42,000 personnel on high alert in the capital to avert further violence and to guard against a transport strike there.

01 June 2001

INDONESIA:

Top Security Minister Reportedly Replaced By Wahid; Cabinet Shakeup Underway

Citing unidentified presidential palace sources, the state-run Antara news agency reported that Indonesia's embattled president is planning to replace the country's security and foreign affairs minister. There was no official confirmation from the president's office. Antara said President Abdurrahman Wahid, who is fighting off a bid by lawmakers  to impeach him, would replace four members of his Cabinet -- Security Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman and Labor Minister Al Hilal Hamdi. 

© EmergencyNet News Service, 1998-2002. All rights reserved. May not be redistributed or otherwise published without the expressed permission of ERRI/EmergencyNet News.

Click here to go to Indonesia: Continuing Series of EmergencyNet News "HotSpot" Reports 
-- 03 Feb 1998 to 30 May 2000 (Indowarn II)

Indonesia: Continuing Series of EmergencyNet News "HotSpot" Reports 
-- 02 June 2000 to 31 May 2001   (Indowar III)

Click here to Return to the ERRI Hot Spot Map

Return to the EmergencyNet News Page