American Ambassador Officially Requests
Protection For US Community
Jakarta, Kompas Online
American Ambassador for Indonesia, Robert S. Gelbard and three of
his staff went to Police Headquarters Friday morning (21/9) to
request a guarantee for protection of Americans and American
facilities in Indonesia because of demonstrations against the US
Embassy.
Gelbard was received by Secretary General Police Commissioner
General Yun Mulyana, Chief Police Metro Jaya District, Inspector
General Sofjan Jacoeb, Chief Information Center Inspector General
Didi Widayadi and a number of officers of the detective and
intelligence sector of Police Headquarters.
"Their visit did not take long, about 30 minutes. The US Ambassador
fears for the safety of Americans and American facilities here," said
Didi Widayadi.
In Pekalongan, Vice President Hamzah Haz appealed to the Islam
community in Indonesia, not to react emotionally on the political
condition in the US after the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
tragedy. The tragedy is a lesson for Indonesia as the US has turned
its attention on Indonesia now.
On a separate occasion, the General Chairman Nahdlatul Ulama, KH
Hasyim Muzadi is of the opinion that the US has to convince the
Islam world that Osama bin Laden is the prime suspect of the
terrorist action that brought the WTC down in New York. "If they
cannot convince the Islam world, then all their acts against Osama
will be interpreted as an act of "attack and destroy" Islam," KH
Hasyim told reporters yesterday in Jakarta.
Tens of students of the Indonesian Islam Students organization went
to demonstrate in front of the American Embassy to demand that the
US stop at once the violence on the Islam community. The action
warrants tightening of security at the Embassy's front part. About six
trucks full of policemen are guarding the Embassy.
According to Antara, demonstrators mostly in school uniforms
appealed to the US not to attack Afghanistan.
"The US does not have strong evidence of Osama bin Laden group's
involvement. The US is attacking Afghanistan just because Osama
bin Laden is there," another demonstrator said.
Threatening
Chief Police Information, Didi Widayadi said, that the US
Ambassador came to ask for protection for Americans and American
facilities, especially in Jakarta, because the demonstrations were of
a threatening nature. Didi said that Inspector General Sofjan Jacoeb
has given several phone numbers which the US embassy could
contact any moment if help is needed immediately.
"Of course the Police has guaranteed protection, physically and
materially, not just to American citizens, this applies to every
foreigner who legally stays or visits Indonesia. As to the threats, the
embassy does not need to worry or panic," Didi said.
The police keeps a watchful eye on demonstrations that tend to go in
that direction, demonstrators will be observed during the
demonstration. But, if the action does not violate the law or is only
regarded as a harassment, it will be difficult for the police to do
something about it.
Since foreigners staying in Indonesia do not feel safe, the Police has
appealed to the people not to react in an exaggerated emotional
manner on the US retaliation plan for terrorists.
"It is clear that the US and other nations of the world, including
Indonesia, will fight terrorism, it is not directed at the Islam
community," he said.
Sweeping
Metro Jaya District Police Chief, Inspector General Sofjan Jacoeb is
convinced that no "sweeping" will be conducted on Americans in
Jakarta. But, if it comes so far, the police will be taking stern
measures in line with prevailing laws.
"We know of certain developments since the destruction of the WTC
towers in New York, USA," Sofjan told reporters after Friday prayers
and a dialogue with the General Chairman of the Islam Defending
Front, Habib Riziq Shihab at the Al Ishlah Nosque on Jalan
Petamburan III in Central Jakarta.
However, Sofjan said further, aspirations should be conveyed in an
orderly way in line with the law. "Let's abide by the rules. Want your
opinion to be heard. Go ahead," he said. He further emphasized that
we should not forget that demonstrators go over to anarchism. "Such
acts cannot be justified," he said.
Habib Riziq Shihab told the press, if the US catches Osama bin
Laden or attacks a country which houses terrorists, they should be
able to back up their acts with evidence and present this to an
international court.
"The entire Islam world agrees that terrorism is a damning act. The
question is, who are these terrorists? If the US has no proof but is
bent on attacking, it will only ignite anger of the Islam world in
Indonesia especially. It is a form of solidarity among Islam nations
which goes beyond country borders," Habib Riziq stressed.
He said further, that his words were not meant to be menacing, they
were only a reminder. "Threats are part of terrorism, reminders come
from one's inner self. It is a reminder for the US not to act rashly,"
he
said.
If the US really attacks one of the Islam countries without any
reason, FPI and other elements in agreement with it, will start an anti
US movement. "There will be stages. If the FPI talked yesterday
about a sweeping of Americans, it does not mean slaughter. But, this
is a reminder for Americans to leave Indonesia," Habib Riziq said.
Coalition
Disaster has struck the US, said Vice President Hamzah Haz. But,
behind all that, there is a lesson from which we can learn, Islam has
now the attention of the USA, this includes Indonesia which is a
major Islam country.
"Because of the disaster, President Bush cannot do without a
coalition with an Islam nation," Hamzah Haz said at a discussion at
Pengajian Akbar which was held on account of the successful run of
the Special Session of the Assembly in 2001 in Pekalongan, Central
Java,. The Vice President attended Friday prayers at the Al Rahmah
Mosque, District Simbang Kulon, Buaran, Pekalongan.
Hamzah repeated the American President's statement again, the US
is not fighting Islam nations it has declared war to terrorism. "This
means that they are antagonistic to Islam countries, they are against
those who engage in terror. Therefore, we should not become
emotional and quickly assume an anti American stance. We have to
see further than that. God willing, government may show us the way,"
Hamzah said.
The US plan to attack Afghanistan, the country suspected to harbor
Osama bin Laden, cannot be right if it means that innocent citizens
will be killed in the act.
"If the US could aim exactly at the heads of the Osama terrorists,
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