JAKARTA, Indonesia (7 Oct 2001) -- A radical Indonesian Muslim group on Monday threatened to hunt foreigners and destroy foreign targets as embassies warned their citizens to stay inside to escape retaliation over U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan. The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) demanded President Megawati Sukarnoputri cut relations with the United States and its allies and urged millions of Muslims in the world's largest Islamic nation to lay siege to the U.S. embassy in Jakarta on Monday. "They are terrorists that must be driven from the face of the earth," the official Antara news agency quoted FPI head Muhammad Rizieq saying. "The United States is a terrorist nation." International schools closed and the U.S. and Australian embassies, warning of anti-Western action, urged their nationals to stay home. But U.S. officials said the embassy had not told Americans to stand by for a possible evacuation. "We're not saying anything about standby for a possible evacuation," a spokeswoman told Reuters. "If the situation changes we will be providing word to American citizens as quickly as possible." MEGAWATI FACES DEADLINE The FPI has given the secular Megawati three days to cut relations with Washington and its allies, or it would call on Muslims to hunt foreigners, attack embassies and destroy foreign assets, Antara said. "We (also) call for the sending of mujahideens to Afghanistan. If the government cannot show a firm stance, we call on Muslims to rise in a jihad (holy war) to wipe clean the interests of the terrorist United States and its allies in Indonesia," Rizieq told Reuters. The front is relatively small but vocal and its stand highlights the delicate balance Megawati must strike between backing a major ally and appeasing radical Muslims. Jakarta was quiet early on Monday, with shops and businesses opening as usual and little sign of tougher security. Extra police and a water cannon were posted outside the U.S. ambassador's inner-city home, but apart from a water cannon there was no sign of increased security outside the already heavily protected U.S. embassy across Merdeka (Freedom) Square from the presidential palace. The embassy was closed on Monday for the U.S. Columbus Day holiday. "It is likely there will be demonstrations and other forms of protest against Western citizens and interests in Indonesia," the Australian embassy said in a special bulletin to its citizens. It did not mention evacuation, but added: "Should any further steps be considered necessary in the light of reactions in Indonesia, citizens will be advised promptly." | | The embassy said it would open for business as normal, but advised Australians to check for protests before visiting. There are tens of thousands of Americans, Australians, Britons and citizens from other U.S. allies in Indonesia. Megawati has expressed Jakarta's support for Washington's war on terrorism. But Indonesia has been racked by growing anti-U.S. sentiment after Washington focused the first phase of its war on Islamic Afghanistan, where Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the September 11 suicide hijack attacks on the United States, is sheltering. About 90 percent of Indonesia's 210 million people follow Islam. Although Indonesian Islam is generally moderate, some hardline groups have hunted Americans to expel them and warned other foreigners to leave. Others have threatened to attack the embassy and hundreds of men have signed up to help defend Afghanistan in a holy war. JIHAD CALLS Thousands more have joined frequent anti-U.S. protests in the streets of Jakarta and other major cities. Another Muslim group, the Muslim Students Action Front, condemned the strikes against Afghanistan and urged the government to allow Muslims to join a jihad. "It is blatantly clear that the United States is violating human rights by putting all the blame on Muslims. This is clear cut arrogance...," spokesman Khairil Adha told Reuters, stopping short of saying the group called for a jihad. "We demand the government of Indonesia lift the restrictions on travel to Afghanistan for a jihad. So many of our members want to go there." Indonesian authorities have warned they will not tolerate any retaliation against foreigners, but the ability of the poorly trained and under-resourced police to guarantee the safety of expatriates is uncertain. Frightened foreigners have been leaving Indonesia over the past few weeks after Washington evacuated non-essential staff and dependants. Tens of thousands of foreigners were evacuated from Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, amid the political chaos surrounding the 1998 fall from power of President Suharto. |
