Indonesia Not to Ask Australia for Clarification over Travel Warning

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian government is not to ask for clarification over a statement made by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer that Australia would not revoke travel warnings to Indonesia as these were merely warnings, not bans. There is no problem with the statement, State Minister for Tourism and Culture I Gde Ardhika said at the State Palace on Wednesday (12/3). He said he believed the statement would not result in any risk for Indonesia, adding that more touristsespecially from Australiahave visited Indonesia recently. About 2,400 tourists are visiting Bali alone every day, showing that foreign tourists are once again choosing Indonesia as their tourist destination. Ardhika went on to say that he assumed many more tourists would visit Indonesia in April when the summer schedule begins. As previously reported, the Australian government will not revoke its travel warnings to Indonesia although Indonesia has promised to eradicate terrorism. However, the Australian government will continue to evaluate the policy issued following the Bali bombing in October 2001 that claimed many lives of Australian citizens. Ardhika said he understood the Australian governments warning. A government has to warn its people to be careful, he said. So far, Ardhika said, the Australian government has never requested Indonesia to provide guarantee of security for its citizens staying in Indonesia. (Retno SulistyowatiTempo News Room)