THEAUTOSPORT.com

Car world at this moment. Press Digest. BETA

   Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has declined to advise the Socceroos against playing in Jakarta, despite his department issuing a warning against travel to Indonesia.The Socceroos have a last chance Asian Cup clash with co-hosts Thailand on Monday night, following a 1-1 draw with Oman in their opener and 3-1 loss against Iraq on Friday night.

Despite their woeful form so far, the Australian team is still in with a chance to advance to the quarter-finals and potentially the Asian Cup final in Jakarta on July 29."Anybody who goes to Jakarta needs to read the travel advisory and take that into account," Mr Downer told ABC television on Sunday, after being asked if the Socceroos should travel to Indonesia."A sports team like that, a high profile team, then obviously in those circumstances there will be a particular focus on providing security for them.

"The people who are in more danger I suspect are casual visitors who decide to go to western bars or haunts where there are significant numbers of westerners congregating." The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) last weekend reissued its travel advisory, citing fears of an imminent terrorist attack despite not having any intelligence of a specific threat.Mr Downer, meanwhile, said he did not think there was any virtue in discussing Prime Minister John Howard's mistaken claim that the travel advisory for Indonesia had been upgraded.Prime Minister John Howard confused the issue when he indicated the government had upgraded the warning, when in fact the advisory continued to recommend people reconsider their need to travel to Indonesia.

Critics have speculated that the government strategy may be aimed at ramping up its credentials on national security and terrorism ahead of the federal election.But Mr Downer insisted it was justified in warning the public about the risk of travel to Indonesia.He said DFAT believed it would be a good idea to reissue the travel advisory with stronger language including the phrase "possible imminent attack".

"The concerns are alive and real and people should take these travel advisories seriously," he said."These travel advisories are not political documents, these travel advisories are about protecting the safety of Australians." Brought to you by When you see news happening: SMS/MMS: 0406 THE AGE (0406 843 243), or us..

Main keywords: THE Socceroos, Minister John Howard, Prime Minister John, Mr Downer, Foreign Minister Alexander, Minister Alexander Downer, Prime Minister, Minister John, John Howard, Asian Cup, Minister Alexander, Alexander Downer

Read article at www.theage.com.au