Mega appeals for calm

Mega appeals for calm

President Megawati Soekarnoputri called for calm and urged people
to remain on the alert following Thursday's huge bomb blast in
front of the Australian Embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

"I ask all Indonesians to stay united in fighting terrorism.
Everybody should remain calm and alert," the President said after
visiting bomb victims at the Metropolitan Medical Center Hospital
close to the bomb site. Seven people were killed and 161 injured
in the blast.

She said it was difficult for the police to detect the
planning of such incidents without the help of the public.

"Please watch over your own neighborhoods and inform the
authorities should you find something suspicious," Megawati said.

The President visited the bomb site soon after she flew in
from Brunei Darussalam to attend the wedding of Crown Prince
Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah. She cut short her visit upon learning of
the bombing, which occurred just 11 days before presidential
election runoff.

Megawati consoled the victims during her visit to the
hospital, where she was accompanied by Cabinet ministers and her
husband, Taufik Kiemas.

"Let us condemn this incident that has taken the lives of
innocent people. I also express my deepest condolences to the
families of the victims," she said.

Megawati said she would talk to Australian Prime Minister John
Howard as soon as possible. The President is slated to meet
visiting Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer on
Friday.--JP