Australian Embassy expresses concern over its safety<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Australian Embassy expressed concern
\nyesterday over its safety following a rowdy demonstration on
\nFriday during which protesters managed to enter the embassy
\ngrounds and vandalized a flag pole.<\/p>\n
\"We note that this occurred despite the presence of Indonesian
\npolice,\" Embassy Spokesman John Milne told The Jakarta Post. He
\nadded that there was also concern about the safety of the
\nembassy's staff.<\/p>\n
Some 60 demonstrators gathered in front of the Australian
\nEmbassy in Kuningan on Friday in what was, apparently, a reprisal
\nagainst repeated burnings of the Indonesian flag by demonstrators
\nin several Australian cities.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators here burned two Australian flags and scaled
\nthe embassy's fence to get to the flag pole.<\/p>\n
\"Just as, in the last week, the Australian government has
\ndevoted considerable resources to protecting Indonesian
\ndiplomatic and consular premises in Australia, we are expecting
\nIndonesian authorities to reciprocate in relation to our
\nembassy,\" Milne said.<\/p>\n
When asked, Milne also confirmed another small demonstration
\nat the Jakarta residence of Australian Ambassador Alan Taylor on
\nFriday evening.<\/p>\n
Taylor has thus far declined to comment on either one of the
\nincidents here.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas expressed
\nregret after hearing of the incident at the Australian embassy.<\/p>\n
Alatas said he could understand the ire of people over the
\nburning of the Indonesian flag, but said that retaliatory flag
\nburnings were unnecessary.<\/p>\n
Though she did not condone Friday's flag burning, Aisyah
\nAmini, chairperson of the House of Representatives Commission I
\non foreign affairs, also said she fully understood the anger
\nwhich motivated the demonstrators.<\/p>\n
\"Just as we are celebrating and giving thanks for our
\nindependence, our flag which we won with blood and tears was
\nburned,\" she said.<\/p>\n
As Indonesia celebrated its 50th anniversary, a slew of
\ndemonstrations and flag burnings occurred on Wednesday and
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Apart from Australia, there was also a flag burning incident
\nin Manila and demonstrations in Madrid and Wellington.<\/p>\n
Business<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Canberra, a spokesman for Australian Trade
\nMinister Bob McMullan said Australia is taking seriously a threat
\nby Indonesian businessmen to halt imports over the flag-burning
\ncontroversy.<\/p>\n
\"The government takes any threat to our trade with Indonesia
\nseriously,\" the spokesperson was quoted as saying by AFP
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
\"While we are not familiar with this organization, or the
\ntrade interests it represents, we have the (Jakarta) embassy and
\nthe department investigating the claims,\" he said. He added,
\nhowever, that no official protest had been lodged.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Association of Importers (GINSI) threatened to
\nstop Australian imports as of Sept. 18 unless East Timor
\nactivists in the Fretilin separatist group were expelled from
\nAustralia.<\/p>\n
The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as
\npart of Indonesia in 1976. Though Canberra recognizes the
\nintegration, Australia has become a refuge for many anti-
\nintegrationists.<\/p>\n
Australia stands to lose more than A$1.5 billion (US$1.1
\nbillion) in annual trade if Indonesian importers go ahead with
\nthe threat, according to analysts. (mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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