Blast hits Yogya church

The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Amid mounting anti-U.S. sentiment in Yogyakarta, a number of firecrackers exploded in a Roman Catholic Church in Seyegan subdistrict, Sleman Regency, early on Saturday. No casualties were reported.

Witnesses said the firecrackers, which caused a loud blast in the church, were thrown by two unidentified men and caused minor damage to the church's floor and plasterboard.

"I saw two men riding on a speeding motorcycle after throwing the firecrackers into the church," said Wardiman.

The local police said they were still investigating the incident and had yet to decide whether it was connected with the anti-U.S. feelings in the province.

Meanwhile, in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, two German tourists were beaten after being mistaken for Americans.

Putu Aria Tusan, a worker at the local association of tour and travel agencies, said the two Germans were hit and kicked while watching a display of the traditional local game peresean in the city this week.

Hisbah Mulyadi, chief of the local tourism and culture ministry office, said that a day after the incident, five foreigners were pelted with stones as they passed a traditional market in East Lombok district.

He expressed deep concern that the local police had failed to take tough action against those who had attacked the foreigners.