Americans Warned to Avoid Indonesia

Citing political unrest, the State Department this month warned Americans “to defer nonessential travel to Indonesia,” where tourist-popular Bali is. The warning was issued just two days after a milder document, called a “public announcement,” urged Americans to “exercise extreme caution” when visiting.

The earlier announcement had mentioned that “major tourist destinations in Bali, parts of Sumatra and North Sulawesi have been relatively calm.” But the new warning made no mention of Bali, instead noting that “unrest and violence can erupt with little forewarning anywhere in the country.” It also warned that “on occasion” the U.S. Embassy may have to suspend services because of security concerns and cited “a rise in anti-American rhetoric” by local politicians.

Indonesian officials have expressed dismay at the State Department warning and denied that their citizenry is anti-American.