A Tip, Not Prohibitions

In the wake of terror attack on October 12th 2003, Mr Philip L Antweiler, US General Consulate issued a statement in regard to recent Bali travel warning. He stated that a travel warning applied to Indonesia and Bali in particular is merely to inform US citizens of the danger and global terrorism.

At a meeting held at the ‘Ground Zero’ last Friday (12/9) Mr Antweiler said the travel warnings are always given for US citizen who want to travel abroad. “We are not allowed to forbid or control them. We only give the information to our citizens who wish to visit Indonesia, including Bali,” he said.

Mr. Antweiler was further underlined his government involvement in the construction plan of a Bali Bomb Victims Monument. The construction will be the living memory of the tragedy but as well to prove that Indonesia and Bali in particular has massive support from international communities. “Our conversation is focused only for that project. We do not intend to interfere with the construction project; we are only curious to know how it will be executed, and if it’s connected with similar sentiments between Indonesia and USA to fight terrorism” he said.

The US so far has shown great support to Indonesia’s efforts to exterminate terrorism. So far, the US government has contributed 90 units of Bomb detectors to Bali’s Provincial Police, 30 car mirrors, and 60 hand unit detectors. Whilst for the monument’s construction, the US has not yet provides contributions, although the meeting has undermined the establishment of funding.

The Head of Physical and Facility Sector, Bappeda Badung, Suambara said the funds prepared by the Provincial Government for monument construction is Rp.1.5 billion that does not include the land exemption of ground zero. The actual construction itself will be completed by October 12th 2003. The monument will resemble a plaza in the center of the street with certain philosophy, so each monument’s corner and space has a special meaning.

Compiled from many sources