Britain pulls diplomats out of Indonesia

Britain said today it was pulling out non-essential diplomats from Indonesia, and recommended all its citizens leave the country…

Britain said today it was pulling out non-essential diplomats from Indonesia, and recommended all its citizens leave the country, in the wake of the Bali bombing which killed over 180.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, speaking in London, also said that Britons should not travel to the country following the bomb attack last Saturday, in which 29 Britons are feared dead.

On Sunday the Department of Foreign Affairs advised Irish citizens not to travel to any part of Indonesia, including Bali, for the time being.

Earlier today, the Australian government advised its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia because of "disturbing" new threats.

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"The decision to amend our travel advice is based on disturbing new information of generic threats to Australians and Australian interests in Indonesia," Australian foreign minister Mr Alexander Downer said today.

In the wake of last weekend's nightclub bombing on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, the government is advising against travel to Indonesia and urging travellers there to depart, a statement said.

Mr Downer's statement urged Australians to be very careful, particularly in commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.

The government would also revise travel advice for some other Southeast Asian countries to highlight the need for vigilance, given risks of terrorism, the statement said.

Agencies