US closes embassy in Indonesia after security threat

The US closed all of its diplomatic facilities in Indonesia today until further notice, citing an unspecified security threat.

The decision comes a week after Australia urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Indonesia because of a warning by police in Jakarta about possible suicide bombings, particularly at embassies, international schools, office buildings and shopping malls.

In an e-mailed statement, US officials said the American embassy in Jakarta would be closed along with the consulates in Surabaya, Medan and the island of Bali. Other American government offices would also be shuttered.

They also reaffirmed earlier warnings that the threat of terrorism in Indonesia “remains high,” but did not say what led to today’s closings.

“Attacks could occur at any time and could be directed against any location, including those frequented by foreigners and identifiably American and other Western facilities or businesses in Indonesia,” it said.

National Police spokesman Colonel Zainuri Lubis said his agency had found no threat against the American embassy or companies and encouraged Americans to resume their normal activities.

“We have checked and investigated the bomb threat against the US Embassy and its facilities here but we have not found anything,” he said. “The national police will continue guarding all Western facilities, but it is the right of the US to close their embassies or issue travel warnings.”

Since the September 11, 2001, attacks in America, the United States has closed its embassy for brief periods because of potential security threats. It also evacuated non-essential staff and family members for six months after the October 12, 2002, Bali bombings and joined other countries in issuing a string of travel advisories against visiting Indonesia.

The Bali attack was blamed on the al-Qaida-linked terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, which also is believed responsible for the August 5, 2003, bombing of the JW Marriott hotel in Jakarta which killed 12 and last year’s attack at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta which killed 10 people.

Dozens of militants have been convicted in the Bali and Marriott attacks but many top terror suspects – including Malaysians Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Mohamed Top – remain free and are believed to be somewhere in Indonesia. Police have repeatedly warned that they are planning additional attacks.