JAKARTA, Indonesia (24 Dec 2003) -- Christmas Eve in Indonesia sees security forces on high alert, Western governments warning their nationals about a heightened risk of terrorism, and members of the country's Christian minority bracing for possible trouble as they prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth. "A sense of insecurity and vulnerability permeates this country in tandem with the festive spirit, despite all the security measures being undertaken," the Jakarta Post said in an editorial Wednesday. The world's most populous Islamic nation has become a regional focal point of radical terrorism and anti-Christian violence over the past four years. Deadly bombings in Bali 14 months ago and at a J.W. Marriott hotel in central Jakarta last August targeted mostly expatriate and visiting Westerners, but for many Indonesian Christians, the notion of practicing their faith without fear was a dream long before the world heard of Jemaah Islamiah (JI), the group behind those attacks. Christians comprise less than 10 percent of Indonesia's 210 million people, 85 percent of whom are Muslims. Christmas Eve 2000 saw an orchestrated spate of bombings at 11 churches across the vast archipelago, in which 19 people were killed. Violence against the Christian minority since 1999 has affected two provinces in particular, Sulawesi and Maluku. Thousand died in clashes some characterized as an anti-Christian Islamic jihad and others described as sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims. In both areas, peace agreements were eventually signed, but Sulawesi has seen renewed attacks on Christians over the past two months. Police suspect JI may be involved in the incidents, in which at least 14 Christians have been shot or hacked to death. In the province's town of Poso, a bomb exploded on Tuesday but failed to harm anyone after a quick-thinking bus driver removed the device from his vehicle and placed it in an empty field. Poso Police Chief Abdi Dharma told local reporters that those who planted the bomb had wanted to provoke a riot. In the past, attacks on members of one faith have sometimes prompted retaliation. International Christian Concern, a U.S.-based human rights group, urged American Christians on Tuesday to pray for a peaceful Christmas in Indonesia. In Sulawesi and across Indonesia, police have tightened security to prevent violent acts on or around Christmas Day. National Police Chief Da'i Bachtiar said 140,000 personnel - about two-thirds of the total force - were being deployed nationwide to ensure security over Christmas. In the capital, Jakarta Police Chief Gen. Makbul Padmanegara told reporters police were hunting for explosives, noting that some of the key suspects in the Marriott bombing - which claimed 12 lives and injured 147 - were still at large. | | He said tens of thousands of policemen and troops would guard more than 600 locations in the city, especially churches. In some areas of the country, Christians are planning to deploy additional volunteer security guards during Christmas services. A spokesman for the Protestant Church of South Sulawesi, who would only identify himself as Julius, said Wednesday he was pleased with the level of security being provided by the government. Traveling around the area, Julius said he had seen many police officers deployed, and was optimistic that with the extra security, church services would be held in safety. Julius said the recent violence had left many Christians in Sulawesi fearful. Foreigners anxious Several Western governments have advised against non-essential travel to Indonesia. The U. S Embassy warned Americans earlier this month about "increased volatility" during the Christmas and New Year season, saying the potential for bombings of places where Westerners congregate was "particularly high" over that period. The New Zealand government also warned its citizens Tuesday about the dangers of being in Indonesia at this time, singling out "shopping centers, places of worship, hotels and other places where Westerners are likely to gather." The 184-year-old All Saints Anglican Church in Jakarta has a predominantly expatriate congregation. The church's Rev. Andrew Lake said Wednesday foreigners still in Indonesia have been concerned about security since the Oct. 2002 Bali bombing, which killed 202 people. "That's when it became quite clear there was a proper, organized terrorist network that was prepared to go further - in terms of uncivilized behavior - than what people expected." Lake did not believe the anxiety was necessarily greater at this particular time. "People in Indonesia have been living with such a degree of threat over the past few years, with schools, places of work, churches, hotels, embassy warnings ... that, without being complacent, those of us still here are aware of the risks and take appropriate action." Lake said some people might be reluctant to attend Christmas services because of those concerns, which was understandable. Police have promised additional security over the Christmas period, although the church has had a police presence at services ever since Bali, Lake added. Bags were checked, and cars were not allowed to park at the premises. "The police have been very cooperative," Lake said. 
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