Embassies prepare contingency plans
JAKARTA (JP): In the face of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) mass prayer on Sunday and the House of Representatives (DPR) plenary session on Monday, several foreign embassies have prepared contingency plans for their citizens.
Japanese Embassy spokesman Shigeya Aoyama said his embassy had notified some 10,000 Japanese citizens residing in Jakarta of the two events.
"We have just notified them of the possibility of mass demonstrations in certain parts of the city on the days these events are due to take place," said the diplomat, as quoted by Antara.
Aoyama declined to elaborate on the contingency plan and only said that the embassy had not issued a travel advisory.
The Swedish Embassy has also cautioned 250 Swedish nationals in Jakarta and prepared an emergency plan.
"Of course, we are very concerned about the two events and the violence that could erupt," said the embassy's counselor Matthias Lentz.
The Swedish Embassy website said that Australia could be a destination for Swedes in order to seek refuge if violence escalated following the two political events.
Without elaborating, Lentz admitted that a contingency plan had been prepared. He dismissed the possibility of evacuating embassy staff if mass riots erupted.
The French Embassy has warned the approximately 1,500 French nationals living in Jakarta about the two events, but does not plan any specific measures.
"We are monitoring all aspects related to the events, but we will not take any special action," said French deputy mission chief Francois Gautier.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman briefed foreign diplomats on Friday regarding security precautions in the capital in anticipation of the two events.
Mulyono said he had already stationed VIP security officers, supported by riot police, at several embassies.
Among the embassies that had asked for special protection were those of the United States, Britain, Canada, South Korea, the Netherlands and Japan.
Mulyono said that as the U.S. embassy already received special protection, he would only add a few additional officers as backup. (edt)