U.S. Embassy in Jakarta reopens<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The United States Embassy in Jakarta was
\nreopened to the public on Tuesday after a two-week closure, with
\nthe embassy saying that although threats remained, security had
\nbeen upgraded.<\/p>\n
\"On Tuesday, November 7, 2000, the embassy opened for public
\nservices. Routine visa and passport services are now available,\"
\nthe embassy said in a public statement.<\/p>\n
\"The embassy still believes that a specific threat may be
\ndirected at embassy facilities. The cooperation of Indonesian
\nsecurity authorities has permitted reopening to the public. We
\nwill continue to evaluate the situation and take further steps as
\nnecessary,\" the statement said.<\/p>\n
It added that the mission would be closed on Friday in
\nobservance of the Veteran's Day holiday.<\/p>\n
Despite the reopening, Ridwan, a security officer at the U.S.
\nembassy, said the number of people seeking services there was
\nonly half the normal days.<\/p>\n
\"Perhaps, people don't know yet that the embassy has resumed
\nits activities today,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In Washington overnight, State Department spokesman Richard
\nBoucher said U.S. officials hoped the embassy would be able to
\nresume operations to the public.<\/p>\n
\"The Indonesian National Police have, in fact, increased their
\nefforts to protect our mission in Jakarta,\" Boucher was quoted by
\nAFP as saying.<\/p>\n
\"We're pleased with that response, and that's one of the
\nfactors that we're taking into account.\"<\/p>\n
A State Department official said later the embassy had been
\nauthorized by Washington to reopen, but it was up to the envoys
\nin Jakarta to make the final decision based on local conditions.<\/p>\n
Ambassador Robert Gelbard, who is in the United States on
\npersonal business, was due to stop in Washington for a \"brief\"
\nconsultation before returning to his post, Boucher said, although
\nno firm dates were available.<\/p>\n
The closure of the U.S. embassy on Oct. 25 came as Gelbard was
\nembroiled in a fiery war of words with some Cabinet members, who
\nobjected to the forthright nature of his criticism of the
\nIndonesian government.<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab urged the embassy last
\nweek to reopen in order to avoid giving the impression that ties
\nbetween Jakarta and Washington were strained.<\/p>\n
The embassy's closure also came amid protests in the country
\nover the failure of the U.S. to condemn Israel for the violence
\nin the Middle East. (asa\/byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-embassy-in-jakarta-reopens-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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