Expats return to work amid anti-U.S. rallies

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Several foreign embassies and companies which had suspended operations out of fear of an anti-Western backlash resumed operations on Tuesday, despite continuing rallies protesting the U.S.-led air strikes against Afghanistan.

The British and Australian Embassies took the lead in getting back to work after they had closed their doors on Monday. Officials from the two embassies said the situation was sufficiently encouraging for them to resume operations.

But the U.S. Embassy, whose compound remains the principal target for the protests, remained closed on Tuesday.

Although the British Embassy had also been the scene of some protests, the embassy's first secretary, Hamish Daniel, said things "were positive enough" for resuming services.

A staffer at the Australian Embassy also said that the situation was "not too risky."

Several private U.S. and British companies also got back to work on Tuesday saying the situation was "better" than on Monday.

Sidick Nitikusuma, spokesman for state oil and gas company Pertamina's production sharing directorate, told The Jakarta Post that ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc., Unocal Indonesia Co., and Devon Corp., had reopened their offices.

But he warned that these companies were well prepared with contingency plans should the situation worsen.

British American Tobacco (BAT) Indonesia's spokesperson Wida Septarina said her company had also decided to reopen its head office here on Tuesday after closing early on Monday.

"The situation is not as bad as we thought," she told the Post.

PT Coca Cola Indonesia spokesperson Titi Sadarini said the company had not halted operations over the past two days, noting that it merely suggested its foreign employees work from home on Monday.

The North Jakarta International School also resumed classes on Tuesday, but the Jakarta International School and the British International School remained closed.

Aside from protests concentrated in front of the U.S. Embassy, the capital was relatively free from boisterous demonstrations.

For the second straight day, the U.S. Embassy remained closed as the compound on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta, was besieged by protesters.

Tuesday's rally at the U.S. Embassy was more heated as police had to use tear gas to disperse protesters from the Indonesian Muslim Students' Action Front (KAMMI) and the Islamic Defenders' Front (FPI) who tried to force their way into the compound.

The incident erupted when KAMMI demonstrators were sprayed by a police water cannon as they tried to remove the barbed wire placed in front of the embassy gate. Their fellow protesters from the FPI, gathered a few meters behind them, became enraged and rushed to assist.

At least one demonstrator and a policeman was injured.

The incident in front of the U.S. Embassy was preceded by a more peaceful rally at the United Nations offices before the protesters headed to the presidential palace to urge the government cut ties with the U.S. and Britain.

Prior to the commotion, KAMMI members had filled their day with fiery speeches, burning an American flag and displaying a headless effigy of U.S. President George W. Bush.

Though the government has said it would take action against those who burned flags or symbols of other nations, including effigies of state leaders, no immediate action was taken on Tuesday.

Later in the day, more protesters in small groups of no more than 50 people each arrived in front of the U.S. Embassy. These included protesters from the Islamic Youth Movement (GPI), a group from the University of Indonesia (UI) and youths from the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Their protests were peaceful.

The protests are expect to continue on Wednesday as FPI pledged to continue protests for at least three days.

Similar protests were also reported from other cities, including Surabaya, East Java and Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Both police and military officials affirmed that they would continue to protect foreign installations here.

Separately, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo on Tuesday said three battalions had been deployed to assist Police.

"The battalions include a cavalry battalion with some 30 armored vehicles stationed at the National Monument," Bibit said.

"I don't want people to blame the Indonesian Military for being late in reacting to the situation should it turn ugly."