U.S. Lifts Indonesia Travel Warning

The United States lifted a travel warning that was set on Indonesia after several bomb attacks in 2004. Primary reason stated that security situation had been improved in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Announcing US decision, Cameron Hume, US Ambassador said on Sunday (May 25, 2008),"The government ... has disrupted, arrested and prosecuted numerous terrorist elements," Sunday. The travel warning was put in place after several bombs went off in Indonesia capital city, Jakarta, in 2000.
From 2003-2005, Indonesa had suffered several bomb attacks, including Kuningan Bomb, Poso, and one series after Bali Bomb in Jimbaran, namely Bali Bomb II. But by far, It was the twin Bali nightclubs attacks in 2002, however, that really set the country onto the front lines in the war of terrorism. Jemaah Islamiyah, one militan Moslem group, has been accused and several its famous members, Amrozy, had been involved in Bali Bomb.

The Bali Bomb has the biggest impact on Indonesia. The fact that more than 240 people died, many of them foreign tourists from Australia.
Indonesia has convicted and arrested hundreds of Islamic militants since then, leaving the group severely weakened and winning praise from the international community. Several foreign governments, however, continue to warn citizens against travel to Indonesia.

In the statement sent by email to media organization, Hume said "The U.S. has lifted the warning due to objective improvements made by Indonesia in its current security situation," He is calling the move "significant."

Good Impact on Tourism?

Although this cancellation of travel warning is good in politicial connection between US and Indonesia, it is still in doubt if this will really have greater impact in tourism, especially to Indonesia favourite destinations like Bali or Lombok. It is widely known that most of visitors to Bali come from Australia and now has broaden to East Asia (Japan, Taiwan) and Europe.

HUme said he expected more American business people, tourists and scholars to visit Indonesia in order to expand trade, tourism and educational purposes between the two countries.

Indonesia government welcome the lift of this travel warning. Maj. Gen. Ansyaad Mbai, Indonesia's top anti-terror official, said that while he really welcomed the U.S. decision on the lift of travel warning, this should not slow down efforts to battle terrorism. On the contrary, he said, "it will push us to be more effective in handling security matters."

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