Foreign journalists detained

JAKARTA (JP): Two foreign journalists were detained by the police yesterday after they were found to have entered the People's Consultative Assembly building without authorized passes, City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang was quoted by Antara as saying.

The news agency named one of the journalists as Step van Esse from NOSTV of the Netherlands, while the other's identity was not revealed.

Jakarta Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. D.J. Nachrowi denied reports that the two were first questioned by the military before they were handed over to the police.

"No. We did not question them. It is the responsibility of the Jakarta police," said Nachrowi.

Lt. Col. Bambang Gandhi, who is in charge of the security in the compound, said he did not want to take even the smallest risk and that his men were safeguarding the ongoing General Session in accordance with the instructions of the Armed Forces Chief and the Jakarta Military Chief.

"We work 24 hours... we handle... things such as bomb scares," he said. (swe)