Australia warns of possible attack in Indonesia

CANBERRA, Mar 31 (Reuters) Australia issued a new travel warning for Indonesia today, talking of the possibility of an attack against Westerners this Sunday.

''Recent reports suggest Sunday 2 April 2006 could be a potential date for attack but we emphasise that attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia,'' the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

The advisory, on the department's website www.smartraveller.gov.au, urges Australians to reconsider travel to Indonesia and the holiday island of Bali, saying Westerners were priority targets for attacks and kidnappings.

''We continue to receive a stream of reporting indicating that terrorists are in the advanced stages of planning attacks against Western interests in Indonesia against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners,'' it said.

The 2002 nightclub bombings in Bali killed 202 people, including 88 Australians. In October 2005, 20 people, including four Australians, were killed in a new spate of bombings in Bali.

REUTERS LR DS1232