Embassies reject security offer

Embassies reject security offer

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

The offices of foreign embassies in Medan are refusing the extra
security offered by the North Sumatra police in the wake of the
Bali attacks, which killed at least 23 people.

Diplomats said extra security measures were unnecessary
because Medan was a safe city and not prone to an attack. An
increased guard would create a false impression of danger, they
said.

Malaysian Consul General in Medan Mohd. Yusoff A. Bakar said
on Monday that there were no signs that terrorists planned to
attack foreigners there.

"People would be afraid of visiting the office if many police
were seen guarding it," Yusoff said.

Instead of heavy security measures, Yusoff requested police
carry out spot-check patrols near the office to ensure that the
situation was safe. They should also increase their presence in
known expatriate spots, like foreign company offices and
universities.

More than 500 Malaysian students study in Medan, while around
1,000 Malaysians live there.

Paul S. Berg, a diplomat with the Office of the American
Embassy in Medan, said there was no need to beef up security at
the Embassy premises. There were about 100 Americans living in
Medan, he said.

Spokesman Sr. Comr. Bambang Prihady said police respected the
embassies' stance.