U.S. Embassy and its wall<\/p>\n
I am writing to clarify the position of my embassy concerning
\nour request to construct a wall in front of our chancery on Jl.
\nMedan Merdeka Selatan.<\/p>\n
As residents of Jakarta are well aware, since last September
\ntwo lanes of traffic in front of the embassy have been closed,
\nunsightly barriers and barbed wire have been erected and over 100
\npolice have been deployed on a round-the-clock basis. The reasons
\nfor these measures are unfortunately all too understandable,
\ngiven the world situation, and we are grateful for the superb
\ncooperation of the Indonesian authorities in providing this
\nexcellent protection.<\/p>\n
Now, however, we would like to return the area in front of the
\nembassy to the people of Jakarta. Our proposal is to construct a
\nsolid wall, three meters high, inside the current fence line.
\nThis would allow us to remove the barriers and barbed wire and
\nreopen the two lanes of traffic.<\/p>\n
We are not seeking to replace the existing fence, but simply
\nto build a solid wall inside our property. This would require the
\ngovernor of Jakarta to make an exception to city bylaws
\nconcerning nonresidential buildings.<\/p>\n
We propose to build the wall one meter behind the existing
\nfence so that we may preserve a number of beautiful trees, and
\naccommodate underground hydraulic, electric and plumbing
\nequipment.<\/p>\n
I hope we can work together in a spirit of friendship so that
\nwe can restore this important symbolic area to its former
\nbeautiful state.<\/p>\n
RALPH L. BOYCE, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-embassy-and-its-wall-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }