Imam orders probe into U.S. Consulate attack in Surabaya

SURABAYA (JP): East Java Governor Imam Utomo said on Friday he had instructed the police to thoroughly investigate last week's attack on the American Consulate in Surabaya.

"The vandalism, including the burning of the American flag, deserves a thorough probe. The action tarnished Indonesia's image abroad. The police must uncover those behind the demonstration and what the real motive was," Imam said.

On Sept. 15 a group of around 50 youths belonging to several organizations marched to the U.S. Consulate on Jl. Dr. Sutomo here to protest what they perceived as American intervention in Indonesia's internal affairs.

They held orations in front of the consulate, protesting U.S. 'intervention' in Atambua, West Nusa Tenggara, where three UN volunteer workers were killed recently.

Failing to get the appropriate attention they believed they deserved, protesters then climbed the consulate' fence, dragged down the U.S. flag and set it on fire.

A similar action also took place in Jakarta on Tuesday when dozens of people belonging to a group called Youth and Students for the People's Mandate burned an American flag. They accused America of intervening in Indonesia's internal affairs.

Such actions have apparently disgraced Indonesia in the eyes of world and weakened Indonesian diplomacy over the Atambua killings.

The Atambua killings triggered strong reactions from the U.S. government and the United Nations. A UN Security Council resolution on the matter was issued shortly after the slayings.

In a visit to Indonesia on Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen said an embargo might be imposed on Indonesia.

Soon after the Surabaya incident, police questioned at least 10 people and arrested two of them.

"The two are now in police custody. They are both pedicab drivers who admitted getting paid Rp 10,000 for the protest," Surabaya Police chief Sr. Supt. Sri Kersno said. He did not identify the men.

He confirmed that two other men identified as Soedjatmiko, from an organization called Bhaladhika Karya, and Gatot of FKPPI had also been questioned. Both groups are for children of soldiers.

On Thursday, another FKPPI member, identified as Soegeng, was picked up by the police for allegedly instigating the move.

Sri Kersno said that Soegeng has admitted that somebody gave him Rp 1.2 million to organize an attack on the U.S. consulate general. Soegeng did not identify the person who put up the money.

Sri Kersno did not explain why the becak drivers were detained for joining the protest for Rp 10,000, while Soegeng was not. (nur/sur)