JAKARTA, Indonesia (12 Oct 2001) -- A hardline Islamic group says it has started searching for Americans and Britons in Indonesia to try to intimidate them into leaving the country in protest at the attacks on Afghanistan. Muhammad Riziq Shihab, head of the Front for the Defenders of Islam, says the Front has begun "sweeps" in several regions to force foreigners out. "In Jakarta, our members already went to Jaksa Street last night," Mr Shihab said. Jaksa Street, in central Jakarta, is popular with budget tourists. Mr Shihab did not say what happened. However, the Jakarta Post newspaper reports residents, who have formed a special patrol to protect tourists, blocked Front members from entering the street. Mr Shihab says the Front will not be deterred. "We will continue with our protests and our plans to conduct sweeps will also go ahead until all American and British citizens leave Indonesian soil," he said. "We make no distinction between a terrorist state, a terrorist president, a terrorist ambassador and a terrorist national and the United States is a terrorist state. | | No other God but Allah "There should be no members of a terrorist states left in Indonesia, they should all leave our country because we have no place for terrorists." The Front had given the Indonesian Government until yesterday to sever ties with the United States, following its air attacks on Afghanistan. The group had threatened to break into the embassies of the United States and other countries, destroy US assets and forcibly expel Americans and citizens of allied nations if the government did not meet its demands. EDITOR's NOTE: Cyber Diver issued a travel alert warning on June 1, 2000 advising divers not to travel to specific areas in Indonesia including the Maluku islands. |
