NEAR SIMULTANEOUS BOMB BLASTS AT JAKARTA HOTELS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001211 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, CA/OCS, S/CT, CA, DS, DS/IP/EAP, DS/ITA/EAP, DOJ FOR CRIM AAG SWARTZ, DOJ/CTS FOR MULLANEY, FBI FOR ETTUI/SSA ROTH, NCTC WASHDC, NSC FOR J. BADER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL ASEC CASC ID SUBJECT: NEAR SIMULTANEOUS BOMB BLASTS AT JAKARTA HOTELS REF: JAKARTA/OPS CENTER 07-17-09 TELECONS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: There were two nearly simultaneous bomb blasts at luxury hotels in Jakarta early on July 17. Nine people were reportedly killed and at least 50 people were injured, including eight confirmed Americans. President Yudhoyono and other senior officials promised a thorough investigation and urged Indonesians to maintain their normal activities. The GOI has expressed appreciation to the Secretary for her comments in Prague. Mission has offered USG support to law enforcement operations. Suggested press guidance is contained in para 8. END SUMMARY. TWO BOMB BLASTS IN JAKARTA ¶2. (SBU) In the early morning of July 17, seemingly coordinated bombs exploded in two adjacent luxury hotels in Jakarta. The blast at the JW Marriott hotel occurred at 7:41 am (local time) and the blast at the Ritz Carlton Hotel occurred at 7:50 am. Authorities have reported nine deaths (some were expatriates but no Amcits) and approximately 50 people injured in the incidents. Indonesian police also reportedly found bomb-making materials and defused an unexploded bomb on the 18th floor of the JW Marriott Hotel. There are unconfirmed reports that the blasts were caused by suicide bombers. A subsequent third explosion on a toll road from Jakarta to the Sukarno Hatta International Airport was due to an electrical short circuit and not related to the two blasts in Jakarta. AMERICAN CITIZENS SITREP ¶3. (SBU) Mission is working to account for American citizens who may have been killed or injured in the bombings or otherwise impacted. We have confirmed that eight American citizens were injured, including Exploration Director of Freeport Indonesia David Potter, Anadarko Indonesia's General Manager Gary Ford, Husky Oil North Sumbawa LTD's Kevin S. Moore, and Director of CastleAsia James Castle. All have received medical treatment and three were evacuated to Singapore. (Note: We do not have privacy act waivers for these individuals, please protect.) No Americans appear to have life threatening injuries. ¶4. (SBU) Mission convened two EACs and issued warden messages regarding the incidents to American citizens. Mission evaluated authorized departure and rejected that as inappropriate at this time. Consular and regional security officers visited the sites of both blasts to learn of American casualties and assist. Consular and regional security officers also visited local hospitals and the morgue to identify remains, none of whom were Amcits. The Consular Section will be open on Saturday, July 18, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for emergency passport services. Consular officers will also visit hospitals and the hotels to which affected Americans were moved. Mission has sent regular updates to the Ops Center (see ref). GOI REACTION ¶5. (SBU) President Yudhoyono addressed the media at 2:00 pm (local). He acknowledged that the terrorist threat remains, underlined his commitment to prosecuting the perpetrators, and urged Indonesians to continue with their lives. Yudhoyono also visited some of the injured at a local hospital. He cautioned against speculation that the attacks may be related to his reelection. He was accompanied in his address by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Widodo Adi Sucipto, National Police Chief Bambang Hendarsono and State Intelligence Agency chief Syamsir Siregar. Coordinating Minister Widodo had visited the sites earlier today to survey damage. Mission has offered support to Indonesian officials through law enforcement channels. The DCM expressed our solidarity and condolences to senior officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU). Senior DEPLU official Ambassador Retno was grateful for our offer of solidarity and law enforcement assistance and expressed sympathy for the injured Americans. The Presidential Palace also thanked us. JAKARTA 00001211 002 OF 002 INTERNATIONAL REACTION ¶6. (SBU) Australian Prime Minister Rudd condemned the bomb attacks as "murderous and barbaric terrorist acts." He said that Australia stood ready to assist Indonesia. The Manchester United soccer team from the UK was supposed to stay at the Ritz Carlton Hotel during its Asian tour, but has canceled its plans to travel in Indonesia. Despite the attacks at the hotels, Indonesia is generally regarded as a safe place to live and do business. The last major terrorist incident in Indonesia occurred in 2005. The Marriott hotel had been the target of an August 2003 bomb blast, which killed 12 people. MISSION RECOMMENDATION ¶7. (SBU) Mission has passed the Secretary's remarks condemning the attacks to the Presidential Palace and DEPLU. They have expressed their appreciation for the remarks. We also understand that President Obama and President Yudhoyono may have a phone call on July 23rd. If it is possible to accelerate this phone call, Indonesia would welcome such a message of solidarity. We recommend that the Department draw on the draft press guida.QbcQ=$Ym$QQk1QQican citizens are known to be among the injured. -- We are unaware of an American fatalities at this moment. -- None of the American victims sustained life-threatening injuries. All have received medical treatment and some have been medically evacuated to Singapore for additional medical attention. -- The U.S. Embassy sent consular officers to the scene of the explosions as well as to Jakarta area hospitals to assist U.S. citizen victims. -- The U.S. Embassy issued a warden message to all registered U.S. citizens in Indonesia informing them of the incident and encouraging them to inform interested parties of their well-being and to avoid the area where the explosions occurred. -- The United States condemns these senseless acts of violence and we extend our sympathies to the victims and families in this tragic attack and to the people and Government of Indonesia. -- We have offered to provide assistance if requested by the Government of Indonesia. End text. HUME