Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Asia Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rolla Coasta who wrote (9941)	10/8/2001 1:09:56 AM
From: Rolla Coasta	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9980

Indonesian Muslim radicals target foreigners (Part I) REUTERS in Jakarta -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Updated at 10.24am: 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 US-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 US 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 US and Australian embassies, warning of anti-Western action, urged their nationals to stay home. But US 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 reporters. ''If the situation changes we will be providing word to American citizens as quickly as possible.'' The FPI has given the secular Mrs 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,'' Muhammad Rizieq told reporters. The front is relatively small but vocal and its stand highlights the delicate balance Mrs 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 US ambassador's inner-city home, but apart from a water cannon there was no sign of increased security outside the already heavily protected US embassy across Merdeka [Freedom] Square from the presidential palace. The embassy was closed on Monday for the US 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 aspecial 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 US allies in Indonesia. Mrs Megawati has expressed Jakarta's support for Washington's war on terrorism. But Indonesia has been racked by growing anti-US 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 being sheltered. About 90 per cent 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. Thousands more have joined frequent anti-US protests in the streets of Jakarta and other major cities.