Militants enjoy American drinks

SURABAYA: Hundreds of Muslims, exhausted after walking the streets campaigning to boycott American products, took a break to quench their thirst with some free Fanta and Sprite.

The protesters, mostly from the Islamic Youth Movement and United Islamic Students Action, were well aware that Sprite and Fanta are American brands which they were rallying the public to boycott.

But they had a good excuse. "These drinks were bottled in Pandaan, not the U.S.," said one demonstrator, while clutching a picture of Osama bin Laden.

Pandaan is a subdistrict town in Pasuruan regency, a stronghold of traditional Muslims affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

The protesters were marching from the provincial legislative council to Grahadi State building when a Kijang van pulled up and offered them some Sprite and Fanta, Detik.com said.

The generous driver who offered the soft drinks was Sodikin, a resident of Surabaya.

When they finished the drinks, the demonstrators thanked the smiling Sodikin and continued with their fiery anti-American protest at the legislative council. -- JP