[Kabar-indonesia] U.S. Embassy Warden Message: Americans Warned to Avoid Indonesia Demos

[JoyoNews at aol.com]

also: Americans in Indonesia warned to avoid demos

U.S. Embassy Warden Message
August 2, 2006

U.S. Embassy Jakarta

U.S. Consulate General Surabaya

Warden Message

The U.S. Embassy informs American citizens that several groups in
Indonesia have held or are planning to hold demonstrations protesting
the current situation in the Middle East. Many demonstrators express
strong anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiments. While most
legitimate groups intend their demonstrations to be peaceful, any
demonstration can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
Demonstrators in Jakarta on August 1, 2006 carried realistic-looking
toy guns and bombs that were confiscated by the police.

In Jakarta, the U.S. Embassy, Indonesian government buildings, and the
Hotel Indonesia traffic circle are popular sites for demonstrations.
Demonstrations may also be held at U.S. Government facilities in other
large cities in Indonesia. University campuses and large public parks
are also possible sites of demonstrations. Many groups publicize
demonstrations in advance. The Embassy urges Americans to avoid the
areas announced as demonstration sites, and to exercise caution if
caught close to a demonstration. The Embassy urges Americans to avoid
crowds, maintain a low profile, and be vigilant about security at all
times.

The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya intend to
maintain normal consular services during demonstrations, but may have
to close on short notice if security conditions prevent public access
to the Embassy or Consulate grounds. American citizens seeking
consular services may call the Consular Section at the numbers below
before coming to the Embassy or Consulate to inquire about possible
demonstrations. If it is necessary to curtail or suspend visa
interviews because of demonstrations, applicants should reschedule
their interview appointments following normal scheduling procedures.

Americans living and traveling in Indonesia are urged to register and
update their contact information with the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta,
U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, or U.S. Consular Agency in Bali.
Registration facilitates the U.S. Mission's contact with Americans in
emergency situations, and may be done on line and in advance of
travel. Information on registering can be found at the U.S. Department
of State's Consular Affairs website at
<http://travelregistration.state.gov> and at the Embassy's website at
<http://jakarta.usembassy.gov>. All Travel Warnings, Public
Announcements and recent warden messages are posted on the Embassy
website.

The Embassy is located at Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 4-5,
Jakarta; the 24-hour telephone number is 62-21-3435-9000. The
telephone number of the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya is
62-31-295-6400; the number for the U.S. Consulate in Medan is
62-61-415-2200; the number for the U.S. Consular Agency in Bali is
62-21-361-233-605.

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Americans in Indonesia warned to avoid demos

JAKARTA, August 2 (Reuters) - Americans in Indonesia have been warned
that protests over the Middle East situation could turn violent and
that they should avoid demonstration areas and maintain a low profile.

"Many demonstrators express strong anti-Israeli and anti-American
sentiments," said a U.S. embassy statement sent to American residents
in Indonesia.

"While most legitimate groups intend their demonstrations to be
peaceful, any demonstration can turn confrontational and escalate into
violence," it added.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country and public
opinion on issues in the Middle East is generally against Israel, with
which Indonesia has no diplomatic relations.

The United States is viewed as Israel's closest friend, and its
embassy has previously been the target of demonstrations on
Palestinian-Israeli issues and most recently over Israeli military
actions in Lebanon.

In February of this year, a demonstration by the militant Islamic
Defenders Front saw protesters attack the embassy gates with sticks.
They also threw eggs and stones and broke windows.

The U.S. and other embassies have frequently issued advisories about
possible violence in Indonesia in recent years, often tied to concerns
over groups like the al Qaeda-linked Southeast Asian Islamic network
Jemaah Islamiah, blamed for bombings that have taken nearly 250 lives
in the last four years.

Washington and Jakarta have closely cooperated in trying to capture
operatives of Jemaah Islamiah and other violent groups, and have good
relations in most other areas as well.

However, the government has criticised U.S. Middle East policy not
just over Israel but in Iraq.

About 85 percent of Indonesia's 220 million people are Muslims.

Around 10,000 Americans live and work in Indonesia, many of them in
the oil and gas industry.

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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