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Blair: More attacks inevitable
LONDON, England -- Britons have been told not to travel to Indonesia, and Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned that more terrorist attacks are inevitable. The new warnings came on Thursday as some British relatives complained about the treatment of relatives of the dead in Bali. Blair told Ministers: "We can't predict when they will strike next, we can't predict where they will strike next. But we have to be honest about this that there will be further attacks." Foreign Secretary Jack Straw urged UK citizens already in Indonesia to leave -- including non-essential diplomatic staff. According to his official spokesman, Blair told ministers: "The one thing you can be sure of is that there are people at the moment who are currently planning further attacks. That's the reality of what we are talking about." The decision to follow Australia's lead and order the effective evacuation of British nationals in Indonesia was taken after a day in which controversy surrounded what warnings might have been received about the threat to Bali. Blair's spokesman insisted that although an American warning had been received by Britain: "My understanding is that it was very broad-based, non-specific, about a generic threat. I don't think we would be able to say any more anyway." The UK government insists that the vague warning was reflected in travel advice issued on August 27, which urged caution on holiday makers in those areas. Straw told reporters: "In the light of further information and consideration this morning, I have now agreed that we should advise against all travel to Indonesia, and also to recommend that all British citizens should consider leaving Indonesia if their presence is not essential. "I have also authorised the withdrawal of some dependants and of non-essential staff from the British embassy in Jakarta. "British citizens who remain should exercise extreme caution, especially in public places, including pubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreational venues and other locations frequented by foreigners." Eleven British have been confirmed dead with a further eight feared dead and 13 still missing, after the weekend bomb blasts. The high death toll from the outrage has led to delays in identification and release of the victims' bodies, with only 39 positive identifications so far, and Australian police warned some may never be identified. Some relatives have complained about the treatment of relatives of the dead in Bali. Tobias Ellwood, brother of one of the victims -- teacher Jon Ellwood, 38, director of studies at the International School at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam -- said: "I do not think this (the British Consul) is very impressive. "There was no flag outside here, I feel let down -- I do not feel very British. The Australian Consul has briefings every day, a place where relatives can vent their feelings. We are having none of that. It is appalling." British ambassador Richard Gozney told the UK Press Association he understood the frustration of British families trying to bring home their dead. "The frustration they feel on top of all the sadness and grief is entirely understandable and it's one that we share," he said.
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