As a warden for the US consular office in Denpasar, I am obligated to disseminate this message “to the best of my ability.” For the most part, when reading this bulletin, one can easily substitute the word “American” with Westerner, or simply “all humans” as these bombs surely do not chose their targets.

U.S. Embassy Jakarta
U.S. Consulate General Surabaya
Warden Message
October 2, 2005

The U.S. Embassy reminds Americans in Indonesia that the potential remains for violence and terrorist actions against U.S. citizens and interests throughout Indonesia. Three simultaneous bombs exploded in Bali the evening of October 1, killing at least 25 people and injuring dozens. As of mid-day Jakarta time October 2, there are several confirmed American citizens injured. Embassy personnel are in Bali providing consular assistance to Americans affected by the terrorist bombings. Americans who are uninjured in Bali are encouraged to contact their families in the United States.

The Embassy has received continued indications that terrorists could be planning additional acts in Indonesia. Attacks could occur at anytime and could be directed against any location, including but not limited to those frequented by foreigners and identifiably American or other western facilities or businesses in Indonesia. Such targets could include but are not limited to places where Americans and other Westerners live, congregate, shop or visit, including hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, identifiably Western businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or public recreation events.

Reports suggest attacks could include targeting individual American citizens. The Embassy reminds Americans in Indonesia to observe vigilant personal security precautions at all times. Americans should monitor local news broadcasts, be aware of their surroundings at all times, and consider the level of preventive security when visiting public places in Indonesia. Americans should be aware that during the Moslem holy month of Ramadan, which begins on or about October 4, 2005, it is not uncommon for bars and nightclubs which remain open despite local regulations to be the subject of “sweeps” by local militants attempting to shut down these establishments.

The Embassy strongly encourages Americans in Indonesia, including short-term visitors, to register with the Embassy in Jakarta, the Consulate General in Surabaya, or the Consular Agent in Bali. Registration may be done on-line at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/consular/onlinereg.html or by telephone to the numbers below.

Information on registration procedures, all security-related Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, and recent Embassy warden messages are posted on the Embassy’s website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov.

The Embassy is located at Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, No. 4-5, Jakarta; the 24-hour telephone number is 021-3435-9000. The telephone number of the Consulate General in Surabaya is 031-295-6400; the telephone number of the U.S. Consular Agency in Bali is 0361-233-605.