Muslim youths protest U.S. interference

JAKARTA (JP): Forty members of a Muslim youth group staged a rally in front of the American embassy here on Wednesday morning protesting, what they said, was U.S. interference in Indonesia's politics, economics and culture.

The rally was marked by a minor clash between police officers and the protesters when some of the youths suddenly broke ranks and rushed forward closer to the embassy's front gates on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta.

Calling themselves members of the Islamic Youth Movement (GPI), the group demanded the U.S. immediately halt all interference in the country.

"We condemn America for its involvement throughout Indonesia's history, including interference in East Timor, Ambon and Aceh," the group's coordinator Darwin Agus said.

The group also cursed America's political involvement in many other countries around the world, which according to Darwin, is based on hypocritical and double standard principles.

He cited the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the war in Bosnia and Iraq as recent examples.

The group, however, refused to meet officials at the embassy, saying such a dialogue was useless as America's guilt was obvious.

The group arrived at the embassy around 10 a.m. with banners and posters criticizing the U.S. government.

Some of the protesters said they were unemployed but denied having received any payment for participating in the rally.

The rally ended peacefully when the protesters left the scene at 11 a.m. (03)