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.