U.S., British embassies suspend services to public

U.S., British embassies suspend services to public

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Some embassies in the capital suspended their services to the
public on Wednesday amid heightened security concerns and
continuing antiwar rallies following the U.S. ultimatum to Iraqi
President Saddam Hussein to leave his country within 48 hours or
face attack.

The U.S. and British Embassies, where long lines of people
applying for visas are a common sight every day, were quiet on
Wednesday with only staff members seen entering and leaving the
embassy compounds.

Security officers and police were seen standing by at both
embassies.

Visitors and cars entering the embassies were subjected to
security checks.

The heightened security measures were not only evident at
these two embassies, but also others that support the U.S. attack
against Iraq. Even the embassies of countries that oppose the
planned attack, like the German Embassy on Jl. M.H. Thamrin in
Central Jakarta, had also boosted their security.

Many fear that the U.S.-led attack on Iraq will incite anti-
Western sentiment here which in turn could lead to attacks on
Westerners by militant groups across the country as was
threatened when the U.S.-led military coalition attacked
Afghanistan in October 2001.

The British Embassy, for example, warned its nationals to stay
away from places frequented by foreigners so as to avoid the
attentions of extremist groups.

"We continue to receive information that indicates extremists
may be planning additional attacks targeting Western interests
and may take advantage of heightened tensions over Iraq to launch
an attack," the British Embassy said in its updated advisory on
its official website.

The Australian Embassy earlier on Monday urged its citizens to
stay in touch with the embassy so as to keep themselves informed
of every development.

"I want to encourage all citizens to register with the embassy
and to keep us informed of any changes in your circumstances,"
said David Ritchie, the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia.

The American Club on Jl. Brawijaya, South Jakarta, which is
normally frequented by Americans, also looked quiet.

Despite the official warnings from the various embassies, many
foreigners remained calm.

"We have security advisers who are giving us regular updates
on the situation," said a senior official of a European bank in
the capital Jakarta. "We are dusting off evacuation plans.

"But we all feel more relaxed than we did during the other
times of crisis in Indonesia," he was quoted by Reuters as
saying.

Dozens of antiwar protesters from a radical group, the Islamic
Youth Movement (GPI), staged a rally in front of the U.S. Embassy
on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, near the National Monument Park
(Monas) in Central Jakarta on Wednesday.

The protesters burnt tires and erected a 15-meter-long banner
declaring, "GPI seals off the U.S. Embassy" on the concrete
barriers placed in front of the embassy to prevent protesters
getting too close.

In addition to the U.S. Embassy, the protesters also staged a
rally in front of the United Nations representative office on Jl.
M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, before moving to the McDonald's
outlet that is located opposite the UN offices for about 10
minutes.

Later the same day, another group of students, this time from
the Study Circle for Indonesian Democracy, staged a rally in
front of the U.S. Embassy and United Nations representative
office.

The protesters urged the U.S. and its allies to reconsider
their plan to attack Iraq.

"We also urge the Indonesian government to break off
diplomatic ties with the U.S. and its allies if the coalition
launches an attack on Iraq," said a protester.