AlertNet, 19 Mar 2003 10:09
Britain warns of Iraq-related attacks in Indonesia
By Jerry Norton
JAKARTA, March 19 (Reuters) - Britain has warned its citizens in Indonesia that
tension over Iraq could prompt attacks on Western interests, and suggested they
avoid places frequented by foreigners.
"We continue to receive information that indicates extremists may be planning
additional attacks targeting Western interests and may take advantage of heightened
tensions over Iraq to launch an attack," the British Embassy said in an advisory on
Wednesday.
"It is likely that extremists will harass Westerners in bars and nightclubs frequented
by foreigners," it said.
Politicians and religious leaders in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim
country, have said they fear a backlash and violence at home if U.S. and British
forces attack Iraq.
The sprawling southeast Asian country is home to elements of Jemaah Islamiah, a
regional militant Muslim network blamed by officials and intelligence agencies for the
Bali bombings in October that killed 202 people, most of them foreign tourists.
About 85 percent of Indonesia's 210 million people are Muslim. Most of them are
moderate but opposition to a war in Iraq is widespread.
Indonesia has long been a close ally of the United States and a supporter of its war
on terror but the government has repeatedly said it would not support an attack on
Iraq.
"The government absolutely understands the fear and dislike and even anger from
parts of the Indonesian people if war breaks out in Iraq," chief security minister Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday.
The government is walking a tightrope between agreeing with public opposition to the
war while maintaining links with key trade and diplomatic partners.
Syafii Maarif, head of the 30-million strong moderate Muhammadiyah group, has said
there would be strong domestic reaction to any attack on Iraq and a likely increase in
extremism.
Small militant groups speak of trying to storm the U.S. embassy and ban such
symbols of the West as international fast food chains.
"For the U.S. installations here, we will want them to shut down. We will try to take
over these places. For McDonald's and KFC we want them to halt operations," Suaib
Didu, the chief of the radical Islamic Youth Movement, said.
Other groups have raised the possibility of "sweepings" in which foreigners are forced,
or at least warned, to leave the country.
While similar threats made during the U.S. attack on Afghanistan proved largely
empty, international observers say there may be more bite behind the bark in case of
an Iraq attack.
However, the government has repeatedly assured the foreign community that police
are taking steps to prevent violence.
But analysts say the longer a war lasts, the more likely demonstrations will turn
violent and militants will launch attacks. (With additional reporting by Achmad
Sukarsono)
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