Antiwar protesters expand targets to non-U.S. missions

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Rallies to protest against the attack on Iraq continued on Thursday across the country, with demonstrators in some cities expanding their targets to parties not affiliated with the United States or its allies.

Some 20 protesters of the Islamic Students Alumni Association (KAHMI) staged a rally in front of the Saudi Arabian Embassy on Jl. M.T. Haryono, East Jakarta to protest the kingdom's indifference to the U.S.-led incursion of Iraq.

The protesters deplored Saudi Arabia's inaction.

"Saudi Arabia must also be blamed for its failure to prevent the outbreak of the war which has brought suffering to the Iraqi people," said a protester.

To express their disappointment, the protesters also urged the Indonesian government to boycott all products from Saudi Arabia and to halt economic and political cooperation.

In the Central Java city of Surakarta, at least 3,000 protesters grouped under the Islamic Congregation of Surakarta (UIS) took to the streets to condemn the attack. They gathered at the Gladag traffic circle on Jl. Slamet Riyadi in downtown Surakarta.

The rally was led by cleric Wahyudin, deputy director of Al Mukmin boarding school whose leader, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is under detention for treason.

The protesters also pasted stickers to call for a boycott of all American products at American licensed fast-food outlet Kentucky Fried Chicken nearby.

Similar antiwar rallies were to follow later in the day in other venues like the Press Monument and the official residence of the mayor.

Around 1,000 Muslim activists grouped under Hizbut Tahrir went to the West Java Legislature in Bandung to express their demand for an end to the Iraq war and the sending of multinational peace-keepers to help the Iraq people recover from the impact of the war.

The protesters, led by former rock singer Harry Mukti, marched from Al-Ukuwah mosque on Jl. Wastukancana to the legislative building.

In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, around 400 high school students of the Indonesian Association of Students of Makassar (PPIM) marched from Mandala Monument on Jl. Jend. Sudirman to the Losari beach, where they read out antiwar poems and recited prayers for the cessation of the war.

In the Riau capital of Pekanbaru, dozens of protesters rallied in front of the Malaysian Consulate to demand that Indonesia sever diplomatic ties with the U.S.

One of the people said they targeted the Malaysian Consulate as they could no longer expect the Indonesian government to comply with their demand.

Meanwhile, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar reiterated on Thursday his promise to provide security for U.S. business interests and its allies.

"The police are doing their job of taking measures to improve security in the country, including protecting foreign interests and foreigners," Da'i said after signing a Memorandum of Understanding in Jakarta on a security operation in support of the national tourism program.

He dismissed reports that a group of expatriates working in American oil company PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia in Riau had left the province due to fear of violent rallies.

"They left for Singapore, Thailand and Bali on vacation. It is not true that they have left the country because they felt insecure.

Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yosgiantoro also gave his assurance for the safety of expatriates working in Indonesia.

But, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo acknowledged they would not able to provide protection for all American companies, especially the numerous fast-food restaurants due to limited personnel.

Prasetyo also said the protection would be limited to the restaurants' compounds.

"We can guarantee the security of the restaurants and their customers while they are inside. But, of course, it's impossible for us to guarantee their safety outside the premises," said Prasetyo.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Prosperous Justice Party Almuzammil Yusuf said one million people from various religions and cultures are expected to turn up for the biggest antiwar rally in the country scheduled for Sunday in Jakarta.