Embassies prepare contingency plans

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)