U.S. Embassy in Jakarta reopens

JAKARTA (JP): The United States Embassy in Jakarta was reopened to the public on Tuesday after a two-week closure, with the embassy saying that although threats remained, security had been upgraded.

"On Tuesday, November 7, 2000, the embassy opened for public services. Routine visa and passport services are now available," the embassy said in a public statement.

"The embassy still believes that a specific threat may be directed at embassy facilities. The cooperation of Indonesian security authorities has permitted reopening to the public. We will continue to evaluate the situation and take further steps as necessary," the statement said.

It added that the mission would be closed on Friday in observance of the Veteran's Day holiday.

Despite the reopening, Ridwan, a security officer at the U.S. embassy, said the number of people seeking services there was only half the normal days.

"Perhaps, people don't know yet that the embassy has resumed its activities today," he said.

In Washington overnight, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said U.S. officials hoped the embassy would be able to resume operations to the public.

"The Indonesian National Police have, in fact, increased their efforts to protect our mission in Jakarta," Boucher was quoted by AFP as saying.

"We're pleased with that response, and that's one of the factors that we're taking into account."

A State Department official said later the embassy had been authorized by Washington to reopen, but it was up to the envoys in Jakarta to make the final decision based on local conditions.

Ambassador Robert Gelbard, who is in the United States on personal business, was due to stop in Washington for a "brief" consultation before returning to his post, Boucher said, although no firm dates were available.

The closure of the U.S. embassy on Oct. 25 came as Gelbard was embroiled in a fiery war of words with some Cabinet members, who objected to the forthright nature of his criticism of the Indonesian government.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab urged the embassy last week to reopen in order to avoid giving the impression that ties between Jakarta and Washington were strained.

The embassy's closure also came amid protests in the country over the failure of the U.S. to condemn Israel for the violence in the Middle East. (asa/byg)