Fed: Australia boosts travel warnings for Zanzibar

00-00-0000
Fed: Australia boosts travel warnings for Zanzibar

By Rob Taylor, Foreign Affairs Correspondent

CANBERRA, April 8 AAP - Australia boosted travel warnings for the Tanzanian holidayisland of Zanzibar today amid mounting fears of terrorist attacks against western tourists.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said because of the risk of terroristattacks against Western interests in Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, Australiansshould consider leaving immediately.

"Australians are advised to defer non-essential travel to the coastal areas of Tanzania,in particular Zanzibar," the department said.

"There are continuing reports of possible terrorist threats against Western interestsin East Africa.

"We hold particular concerns about possible terrorist action in Zanzibar and Pemba Islands."

DFAT said there were threats of attacks on so-called soft targets such as hotels, clubs,restaurants, bars, schools, airports and markets, as well as other places commonly frequentedby foreigners.

The department last boosted travel warnings for the area in January after US StateDepartment advice that it had received information that a terrorist group might be planningan attack on tourists at Zanzibar.

The US has been particularly sensitive about threats to its interests in East Africagenerally, and Kenya and Tanzania specifically, since the 1998 bombings of its embassiesin Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

Those concerns were heightened last November after two anti-Israel attacks in the Kenyanport city of Mombasa.

DFAT said Australians in Tanzania should avoid all political rallies and large publicgatherings because clashes between demonstrators and security forces in January 2001 resultedin deaths.

"The potential for isolated outbreaks of violence exists," the department said.

AAP rft/sb/wjf/br

KEYWORD: TERROR AUST ZANZIBAR