Expats return to work amid anti-U.S. rallies<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Several foreign embassies and companies which had suspended
\noperations out of fear of an anti-Western backlash resumed
\noperations on Tuesday, despite continuing rallies protesting the
\nU.S.-led air strikes against Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
The British and Australian Embassies took the lead in getting
\nback to work after they had closed their doors on Monday.
\nOfficials from the two embassies said the situation was
\nsufficiently encouraging for them to resume operations.<\/p>\n
But the U.S. Embassy, whose compound remains the principal
\ntarget for the protests, remained closed on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Although the British Embassy had also been the scene of some
\nprotests, the embassy's first secretary, Hamish Daniel, said
\nthings \"were positive enough\" for resuming services.<\/p>\n
A staffer at the Australian Embassy also said that the
\nsituation was \"not too risky.\"<\/p>\n
Several private U.S. and British companies also got back to
\nwork on Tuesday saying the situation was \"better\" than on Monday.<\/p>\n
Sidick Nitikusuma, spokesman for state oil and gas company
\nPertamina's production sharing directorate, told The Jakarta Post
\nthat ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc., Unocal Indonesia Co., and
\nDevon Corp., had reopened their offices.<\/p>\n
But he warned that these companies were well prepared with
\ncontingency plans should the situation worsen.<\/p>\n
British American Tobacco (BAT) Indonesia's spokesperson Wida
\nSeptarina said her company had also decided to reopen its head
\noffice here on Tuesday after closing early on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"The situation is not as bad as we thought,\" she told the
\nPost.<\/p>\n
PT Coca Cola Indonesia spokesperson Titi Sadarini said the
\ncompany had not halted operations over the past two days, noting
\nthat it merely suggested its foreign employees work from home on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
The North Jakarta International School also resumed classes on
\nTuesday, but the Jakarta International School and the British
\nInternational School remained closed.<\/p>\n
Aside from protests concentrated in front of the U.S. Embassy,
\nthe capital was relatively free from boisterous demonstrations.<\/p>\n
For the second straight day, the U.S. Embassy remained closed
\nas the compound on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta,
\nwas besieged by protesters.<\/p>\n
Tuesday's rally at the U.S. Embassy was more heated as police
\nhad to use tear gas to disperse protesters from the Indonesian
\nMuslim Students' Action Front (KAMMI) and the Islamic Defenders'
\nFront (FPI) who tried to force their way into the compound.<\/p>\n
The incident erupted when KAMMI demonstrators were sprayed by
\na police water cannon as they tried to remove the barbed wire
\nplaced in front of the embassy gate. Their fellow protesters from
\nthe FPI, gathered a few meters behind them, became enraged and
\nrushed to assist.<\/p>\n
At least one demonstrator and a policeman was injured.<\/p>\n
The incident in front of the U.S. Embassy was preceded by a
\nmore peaceful rally at the United Nations offices before the
\nprotesters headed to the presidential palace to urge the
\ngovernment cut ties with the U.S. and Britain.<\/p>\n
Prior to the commotion, KAMMI members had filled their day
\nwith fiery speeches, burning an American flag and displaying a
\nheadless effigy of U.S. President George W. Bush.<\/p>\n
Though the government has said it would take action against
\nthose who burned flags or symbols of other nations, including
\neffigies of state leaders, no immediate action was taken on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, more protesters in small groups of no more
\nthan 50 people each arrived in front of the U.S. Embassy. These
\nincluded protesters from the Islamic Youth Movement (GPI), a
\ngroup from the University of Indonesia (UI) and youths from the
\nNational Mandate Party (PAN).<\/p>\n
Their protests were peaceful.<\/p>\n
The protests are expect to continue on Wednesday as FPI
\npledged to continue protests for at least three days.<\/p>\n
Similar protests were also reported from other cities,
\nincluding Surabaya, East Java and Makassar, South Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
Both police and military officials affirmed that they would
\ncontinue to protect foreign installations here.<\/p>\n
Separately, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo
\non Tuesday said three battalions had been deployed to assist
\nPolice.<\/p>\n
\"The battalions include a cavalry battalion with some 30
\narmored vehicles stationed at the National Monument,\" Bibit said.<\/p>\n
\"I don't want people to blame the Indonesian Military for
\nbeing late in reacting to the situation should it turn ugly.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expats-return-to-work-amid-anti-us-rallies-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}