Bali Expat Forum - Bali Travel Forum

[Roy]

For many years, I have had the unique, though not always welcomed pleasure, of being a warden for the US Consulate office. My job is simple, it's only to disseminate the bulletins as I receive them.

My own personal view of these warnings is not the point here as this post goes. I've accepted the responsibility to convey them, and so I do, and that's it.

In case you don't know, the new US Consular agent for Bali is Joshua Fitch. I met him recently at a Rotary meeting in Ubud. He has replaced my long time friend, and highly regarded Dr. Andy Toth.

I've known Andy for years, and I will never forget how he came immediately to the hospital to officiate and render the proper stamps to the last will and testament when my late "brother Matt" was dying. He came at great personal sacrifice and I'll never forget his devotion, not only to Matt, but to all the American expats living in Bali.

At the Rotary meeting, I had a good opportunity to talk to Andy's replacement, Joshua, and he is a fine young man. He's been teaching English for years in Denpasar, and is married to a lady from Java. I like him.

So, my "job" is to convey this, the latest US Travel Warning for Indonesia:

> U.S. Embassy Jakarta
> Warden Message
> March 23, 2004
>
>
> U.S. Department of State
> Travel Warning
> INDONESIA
> March 19, 2004
> This Travel Warning is being issued to update security threat information
> for Indonesia. The Department of State reminds U.S. citizens of the
> ongoing terrorist threat in Indonesia and continues to recommend that U.S.
> citizens defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia. This supersedes the
> August 28, 2003, Travel Warning for Indonesia.
> The Department of State has determined that the current and projected
> security situation in Indonesia warrant the continued recommendation that
> U.S. citizens defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia. American
> citizens already in Indonesia are strongly urged to avoid traveling to
> Aceh, and those in Aceh should leave immediately.
> Indonesia will hold legislative elections on April 5, 2004, a presidential
> election on July 5, 2004, and a possible presidential runoff election on
> September 20, 2004. Election-related violence/attacks are possible and
> U.S. citizens are reminded that they should avoid demonstrations and large
> gatherings, which could turn violent. The Jemaah Islamiyah organization
> (JI) and/or other similar terrorist groups may use these elections as
> opportune occasions to carry out attacks.
> Because there are several active terrorist groups within Indonesia, the
> potential remains for violence and terrorist actions against U.S. citizens
> and interests throughout Indonesia. American citizens were injured or
> killed in terrorist bombings at the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta on August 5,
> 2003, and at Denpasar, Bali on October 12, 2002. JI's terrorist attacks in
> Jakarta and Bali, which took place in areas with large numbers of foreign
> tourists, clearly indicate that a security threat extends to private U.S.
> citizens. Designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, JI is an
> extremist group known to have cells operating in Southeast Asia, including
> Indonesia and has connections with Al-Qaeda.
> The U.S. government continues to believe extremist groups may be planning
> additional attacks targeting U.S. interests in Indonesia, particularly
> U.S. government officials and facilities. Since security has been
> increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists may seek "softer"
> targets. These may include, but are not limited to, facilities where
> Americans and other Westerners are known to live, congregate, shop, or
> visit, especially hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, housing
> compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or outdoor
> recreation events. Also, domestically targeted bombings have been an
> ongoing problem throughout Indonesia over the past three years and have
> struck religious, political, and business targets. In 2003, the Jakarta
> international airport, an open-air concert in Aceh, and other Indonesian
> government facilities were bombed.
> Indonesia instituted martial law in Aceh on May 19, 2003, and subsequently
> launched significant military operations against a separatist rebel group,
> the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Aside from the military violence, individual
> violence has increased markedly. The Indonesian government has warned all
> foreigners to leave Aceh and gave notice that this conflict could result
> in terrorist attacks throughout Indonesia, particularly in urban areas
> where security forces are on a higher state of alert. Because of the
> hostilities, at least one foreigner was killed and one wounded by security
> forces. The Department of State continues to strongly urge U.S. citizens
> in Aceh to depart immediately.
> In addition to terrorism, there is potential for violence and unrest; both
> can erupt without warning. Sectarian, ethnic, communal (inter- or
> intra-group) and separatist strife, and violence are ongoing threats to
> personal safety and security in various areas, including Maluku, North
> Maluku, Sulawesi, Papua and West Timor. In 2004, bombs have killed and
> injured people in Manado, North Sulawesi and Makassar, South Sulawesi.
> Social tensions flared in Poso and in neighboring areas of Central
> Sulawesi during October-November 2003, resulting in 19 fatalities. Papua's
> separatist conflict can become violent. In August 2002, two U.S. citizens
> were killed in Papua under circumstances that have raised suspicions of
> official involvement. Also, there is a risk of kidnappings by the Abu
> Sayyaf terrorist group in the border areas near Malaysia and the
> Philippines.
> Americans who travel to or remain in Indonesia despite this Travel Warning
> should keep a low profile, varying times and routes for all required
> travel, and remain acutely aware of their immediate environment. The U.S.
> Mission in Indonesia may occasionally suspend service to the public, or
> close, because of security concerns. In these situations, the Embassy and
> Consulate will continue to provide emergency services to American
> citizens.
> Information on travel and security in Indonesia may be obtained from the
> Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States ;
> from overseas, call 1-317-472-2328. The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta can be
> contacted by phone at (62)(21) 3435-9000, the Consulate General in
> Surabaya 's number is (62) (31) 568-2287, and the Consular Agency in
> Bali's number is (62) (361) 233-605. American citizens should also read
> the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Indonesia
> <indonesia.html> and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
> <wwc1.html>; both are available on our web site, http://travel.state.gov.

[DrIvEr]

[pongken]

This officially releases American insurance companies from any liability for their life and accident policies for Americans in Indonesia. Something to think about......

It certainly won't help tourism either.

Ken

[DrIvEr]

hm yes. didn't even consider that. darn insurance companies.. always up to something eh.

[Roy]

Hi Ken! Home soon eh? What do mean by “This officially releases American insurance companies from any liability for their life and accident policies for Americans in Indonesia?”

I have to tell you, that is absolutely not true. Having been in the insurance industry for years in an underwriting/actuarial capacity, I can assure you that no life insurance or accidental death policy that I ever saw excluded claims by insured’s who were traveling in areas where a travel warning was in place.

[pongken]

Roy,

Are you saying that if I am injured as the direct result of being exposed to political unrest or a terrorist act, that my generous insurance company would cover me even if I was warned by the U.S. goverment not to be there? I thought that insurance companies like to wiggle out of liabitity claims anytime they could. I also thought terrorism insurance cost extra.

Ken

[Roy]

You wouldn't have to worry about it Ken as in order to "collect" under life insurance or double indemnity as in accidental death, well, you have to be dead. But yes, your insurance would be liable to pay, and they would pay to your beneficiary of record. With medical insurance, yes, if you were injured in a terrorist attack, it would also still pay.

By the way, I have bad news. You remember Steve Sitz at Bali Video? His wife Gina succumbed to cancer yesterday. She put up on heck of a four year fight.

[Mayateya]

Roy, you seems to be on this site quite a bit and seems to know the ropes in Bali. I'm not scared by the terrorist warnings. I'm arriving in
Bali at the end of April. I do wonder if the Visa on arrival is available for U.S. citizens and what is costs.

[Roy]

Yes, VOA is available for US Passport holders. I believe the fee is US $25 per person, and for certain it is payable in US dollars. Have a great trip to Bali!

[Tofu_Boy]

I have a quick question, I'm going to be travelling to Bali for the first time later this month and was curious if I should attempt to bribe the visa officials.

I've been reading various Bali information sites and it seems that 50,000rps in a passport goes a long way in accerlerating the visa application process.

Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

thanks again.

[Roy]

If you're coming in on a tourist, VOA basis, your bribe or "gift" will not gain you anything, except of course, a big smile and a hardly audible muttering, "tamu bodoh."

[Bert Vierstra]

tamu bodoh

Stupid tourist (red)