Indonesia adopts evacuation plan for its citizen in Iraq

Indonesia adopts evacuation plan for its citizen in Iraq

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Anticipating a possible United States attack against Iraq in the
near future, the government has prepared a contingency plan to
evacuate all Indonesian citizens from the country.

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said on
Friday that the ministry had intensified contacts with the
embassy in Baghdad in order to monitor the situation.

"We are prepared to evacuate our diplomats in Baghdad should
the U.S. conduct strikes against Iraq," Marty said during the
weekly press briefing.

He did not mention the number of Indonesian citizens in Iraq.
However, there are approximately 40 Indonesian students currently
studying at the University of Baghdad.

The official reiterated Jakarta's opposition to any unilateral
action against Iraq and stressed that the United Nations (UN)
should be at the forefront in resolving the issue.

"Should the UN issue any new resolution as the representative
of the international community we will respect the decision, but
in the meantime we will keep in constant contact with our embassy
in Baghdad," Marty said.