RI expresses concern, urges U.S. to limit strikes<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Expressing deep concern at the United States' decision to
\nlaunch a military strike against Afghanistan, Indonesia urged
\nWashington on Monday to keep its operation limited to minimize
\ncivilian casualties.<\/p>\n
And in anticipation of an anti-American backlash from some
\ngroups in Indonesia, the government has appealed to the people to
\nshow restraint in expressing sympathy or outrage.<\/p>\n
"The government of Indonesia has urged that the (military)
\noperation, which is already underway, remains very limited, in
\nterms of force, target and time, to reduce or minimize casualties
\namong innocent people," said an official statement.<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda read out the six-
\npoint statement issued after a limited Cabinet meeting to discuss
\nIndonesia's response to Sunday's U.S. attacks in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
The response was formulated following a series of meetings
\nstarting from Sunday night. President Megawati Soekarnoputri
\nsummoned her top ministers on Monday morning to give guidelines.<\/p>\n
The meeting to draw up the official response was led by
\nCoordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo
\nBambang Yudhoyono.<\/p>\n
With the number of civilian casualties from Sunday's attacks
\nstill unknown, the government's response was circumspect.<\/p>\n
The government "is deeply concerned that the military action
\nhad to take place in Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 terrorist
\nattacks in New York and Washington," it said.<\/p>\n
The government took note of Washington's announcement that the
\noperation was aimed at terrorist training camps and military
\ninstallations in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
Indonesia also took note of the U.S. statement that the
\nmilitary operation was not a hostile action against the Afghan
\npeople or the Muslim world, and of its promise to send
\nhumanitarian aid to people in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
The government said it had decided to send food and medicine
\nto Afghanistan and encouraged Indonesians to do the same as an
\nexpression of sympathy and to help ease the suffering of the
\npeople in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
On the domestic front, the government cautioned the public
\nagainst breaking the law or disturbing peace and order when
\nreacting to the attacks or expressing sympathy for Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
Several Muslim groups have said any attack on Afghanistan by
\nthe United States would be construed as an attack on Islam. They
\nhave threatened to retaliate against U.S. interests in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The government urged the United Nations Security Council, in
\nline with its authority and responsibility in maintaining
\ninternational peace and security, to take collective action in
\nrestoring the situation and handling humanitarian problems.<\/p>\n
Vice President Hamzah Haz refrained from publicly commenting
\non the attacks, saying that he toed the official government line.<\/p>\n
Hamzah, the chairman of the Islamic United Development Party
\n(PPP), nevertheless came under strong pressure from several
\nMuslim groups to take a harder line, including from the chairman
\nof the Indonesian Muslim Brotherhood Movement, Ahmad Soemargono,
\nwho met him in his office.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung took a harder line, condemning
\nthe U.S. attacks and prodding the Megawati administration to go
\nstronger in criticizing Washington.<\/p>\n
"I hope the Indonesian government will show its stance and
\nwarn the U.S. that there could be more innocent casualties if the
\nattacks continue," Akbar told journalists.<\/p>\n
Akbar appealed to the public to react in a proportional way
\nand not to scare foreigners away.<\/p>\n
The National Awakening Party (PKB), a moderate Muslim
\npolitical party, regretted the attacks and urged Washington to
\nstop the action in the name of justice.<\/p>\n
Deputy secretary-general Yahya C. Staquf said PKB called on
\nthe public to exercise restraint at least for one week, pending a
\nsatisfactory explanation from Washington for its decision to
\nattack Afghanistan.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-expresses-concern-urges-us-to-limit-strikes-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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