FM defends response to threats<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda on Friday defended
\nIndonesia's response to threats by hardline leaders against
\nAmericans and Britons over U.S.-led military strikes on
\nAfghanistan.<\/p>\n
Hassan said the government had made serious efforts to
\nincrease protection for embassies. No Americans had actually been
\nhurt despite threats to expel them from the country.<\/p>\n
\"There is a lot of rhetoric about sweeping (expulsions), but
\nno single American has been harmed, we thank God for that,\" the
\nminister told foreign correspondents and diplomats.<\/p>\n
The absence of any police action to arrest those threatening
\nto expel foreigners or attack U.S. interests has irritated some
\nexpatriates including U.S. ambassador Robert Gelbard. Police have
\ncountered that they are respecting freedom of speech.<\/p>\n
Hassan said the government was taking a multi-faceted approach
\nto dealing with agitators, of which law enforcement was only one
\nsmall part.<\/p>\n
\"We already deployed seven (police) battalions. It's not that
\neasy to deploy seven battalions and it cost a lot of money but we
\ndid because it's our commitment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Second... we are talking with various groups, (telling them)
\nthat in expressing themselves we understand their emotions, but
\nat the same time we are (telling) them to observe the rules.\"<\/p>\n
The minister said the government had seen progress in calming
\nthe situation. \"You may not appreciate it but we can appreciate
\nthere is a definite improvement in the situation.\"<\/p>\n
Hassan denied that the government was waiting until somebody
\nhad been hurt before making arrests and said authorities needed
\nto distinguish whether threats were serious or not.<\/p>\n
\"If someone threatens to kill you and brings with them
\nmachetes, yes certainly our police would immediately act... but
\nif it's just shouting loud in the air, perhaps there's a gap
\nthere between real intentions to kill and just shouting to
\nexpress their anger,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"If groups of people (after praying at a nearby mosque) going
\npast the residence of the United States ambassador say 'Oh we'll
\nkill you,' can we say that they really want to kill?\"<\/p>\n
\"Of course we take it seriously if it leads to real action to
\nkill.\"<\/p>\n
He said the tone and size of demonstrations on Friday, the
\nIslamic holy day, would indicate whether the daily anti-U.S.
\nprotests -- turning out to be small in number and representing
\nsmall hardline groups only -- would snowball.<\/p>\n
\"Generally you know Muslim populations in Indonesia are quite
\nmoderate. The other statements from larger organizations like
\nMuhammidiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, I think their positions are not
\nas radical as the expressions of some smaller groups.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fm-defends-response-to-threats-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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