Youth forum head named suspect in consulate attack

SURABAYA (JP): The deputy chief of the East Java branch of Military Pensioners' Children Forum (FKPPI) Gatot Sutantra was officially named suspect on Tuesday in the attack on the U.S. consulate general here last week.

Gatot is now at the police detention, bringing the total in custody to four.

The other three are identified as Soegeng, Kodrat and Bukadi.

Kodrat and Bukadi are becak (pedicab) drivers.

Surabaya City Police chief Sr. Supt. Sri Kersno told reporters that witnesses indicated that Gatot was the instigator and financier of the attack.

"Gatot asked activists from various organizations to join hands in hand in defending the country's interests and make public opinion with protests against what he perceived as American intervention on Atambua," Kersno said.

The Sept. 6 killings of three UN humanitarian workers triggered strong reactions from the United Nations and the U.S. government. A UN Security Council resolution on the matter was issued shortly after the slayings.

Around 50 demonstrators, claiming to be from several youth organizations, rallied at the U.S. Consulate on Jl. Dr. Sutomo in Surabaya on Sept. 15, protesting what they claimed was American intervention in Indonesia's internal affairs.

They gave speeches criticizing U.S. threats to Indonesia related to disarming militias in West Timor.

The youths finally climbed the consulate's fence, pulling down the American flag and setting it on fire.

The incident sparked criticism from government institutions, including the military and police.

Last week East Java Governor Imam Utomo instructed the police to probe the incident thoroughly saying that the vandalism had tarnished Indonesia's image abroad.

A witness identified as Soegeng told the interrogators that he received a total of Rp 1,275,000 from Gatot to recruit people to join the demonstration.

"The fact was that they recruited becak drivers, who got Rp 10,000 each," Kersno said, quoting other witnesses.

He said that Gatot would be questioned further to find out where he got the money.

The arrest of Gatot received a strong protest from chairman of the Alliance Study for Democracy (FOSAD), Faisol Reza. "What we have done was our expression to defend the nation's sovereignty."

He said Gatot must be released or he would deploy people to protest at the police office. (nur/sur)