Travel warning issued for East Timor

New Zealanders have been warned to exercise extreme caution when travelling in East Timor, due to the risk of terrorist attack.

Particular vigilance should be taken when travelling near border areas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said in a statement today.

MFAT also warned against visiting government buildings in Dili and "bars, nightclubs, places of worship, schools and commercial premises with a strong western identity".

MFAT said it had received information of a possible attack or bombing against east Timor government buildings in Dili on May 11 2005. It did not say who was behind the threat.

East Timor gained independence in 2002 after a quarter of a century of often brutal Indonesian rule.

It is one of the world's poorest nations and gets about $207.44 million in aid a year. Australia, Japan and the United States are its main donors.

- NZPA