Foreign journalists detained

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)