Embassies prepare contingency plans<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In the face of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) mass
\nprayer on Sunday and the House of Representatives (DPR) plenary
\nsession on Monday, several foreign embassies have prepared
\ncontingency plans for their citizens.<\/p>\n
Japanese Embassy spokesman Shigeya Aoyama said his embassy had
\nnotified some 10,000 Japanese citizens residing in Jakarta of the
\ntwo events.<\/p>\n
"We have just notified them of the possibility of mass
\ndemonstrations in certain parts of the city on the days these
\nevents are due to take place," said the diplomat, as quoted by
\nAntara.<\/p>\n
Aoyama declined to elaborate on the contingency plan and only
\nsaid that the embassy had not issued a travel advisory.<\/p>\n
The Swedish Embassy has also cautioned 250 Swedish nationals
\nin Jakarta and prepared an emergency plan.<\/p>\n
"Of course, we are very concerned about the two events and the
\nviolence that could erupt," said the embassy's counselor Matthias
\nLentz.<\/p>\n
The Swedish Embassy website said that Australia could be a
\ndestination for Swedes in order to seek refuge if violence
\nescalated following the two political events.<\/p>\n
Without elaborating, Lentz admitted that a contingency plan
\nhad been prepared. He dismissed the possibility of evacuating
\nembassy staff if mass riots erupted.<\/p>\n
The French Embassy has warned the approximately 1,500 French
\nnationals living in Jakarta about the two events, but does not
\nplan any specific measures.<\/p>\n
"We are monitoring all aspects related to the events, but we
\nwill not take any special action," said French deputy mission
\nchief Francois Gautier.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman briefed
\nforeign diplomats on Friday regarding security precautions in the
\ncapital in anticipation of the two events.<\/p>\n
Mulyono said he had already stationed VIP security officers,
\nsupported by riot police, at several embassies.<\/p>\n
Among the embassies that had asked for special protection were
\nthose of the United States, Britain, Canada, South Korea, the
\nNetherlands and Japan.<\/p>\n
Mulyono said that as the U.S. embassy already received special
\nprotection, he would only add a few additional officers as
\nbackup. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/embassies-prepare-contingency-plans-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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