INDONESIA: THOUSANDS PROTEST IN JAKARTA AGAINST A POSSIBLE U.S. LED ATTACK ON IRAQ.

Record ID: 584825

  • Title: INDONESIA: THOUSANDS PROTEST IN JAKARTA AGAINST A POSSIBLE U.S. LED ATTACK ON IRAQ.
  • Date: 9th February 2003
  • Summary: (W3) JAKARTA, INDONESIA (FEBRUARY 9, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. HAS/WS: PROTESTERS MARCHING AND CHANTING TOWARD U.S. EMBASSY. 0.02 2. HAS/MLV: PROTESTERS WITH BANNER READING "BUSH IS WAR CRIMINAL' 0.12 3. VARIOUS: MORE OF PROTESTERS HOLDING INDONESIA FLAGS. (3 SHOTS) 0.27 4. MV/MLV: OF POLICE ON GUARD OUTSIDE U.S. EMBASSY. (2 SHOTS) 0.40 5. MLV/MV: OF AMERICAN EMBASSY STAFF INSIDE THE EMBASSY. (2 SHOTS) 0.54 6. WS: PROTESTERS WALK PAST SECURITY OUTSIDE US EMBASSY. 1.00 7. MV: PROTESTERS WALKING BEHIND BARBED WIRE AND CHANTING 'TERRORIST' 1.06 8. WS/MV: VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS SITTING DOWN ON ROAD OUTSIDE US EMBASSY. 1.16 9. SCU: (SOUNDBITE)(Bahasa) JUSTICE PARTY CHAIRMAN HIDAYAT NURWAHID SAYING: "We agree that weapons of mass destruction have be eliminated, but the United States, Israel and their allies have the largest amount of it" 1.29 10. VARIOUS: OF PROTESTERS CHANTING OUTSIDE US EMBASSY. (3 SHOTS) 1.51 11. MV: POLICE LINING UP. 1.59 12. SCU: (SOUNDBITE)(Bahasa) PROTESTER TAUFAN SAYING: "We demand America halt aggression, especially against Muslim countries" 2.11 13. MV/CU: OF PROTESTERS SHOUTING 'ALLAHU AKBAR' (2 SHOTS) 2.22 14. WS/CU: PROTESTERS WITH PLACARD 'BUSH'S WAR' 2.31 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 24th February 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Reuters ID: LVAE5CRRPU5VAWKTWMNRBEBV2AM7
  • Story Text: Thousands have protested in the Indonesian capital
    against a possible U.S.-led attack on Iraq in one of the
    biggest demonstrations yet on the issue in the world's most
    populous Muslim country.



    Observers said the crowd, ranging from students to
    families with babies in arms, numbered at least 7,000 as it
    marched past the U.S. embassy, pausing occasionally for
    speeches, songs and chants of "Allahu Akbar" (God is
    greatest).

    "We demand America halt aggression, especially against
    Muslim countries," a young male demonstrator, Taufan said.

    "(U.S. President George) Bush's war against Iraq equals
    state terrorism" read one sign.

    "Stop war. Save peace and humanity," said others, while a
    T-shirt slogan read: "No more blood for oil".

    "We agree that weapons of mass destruction have be
    eliminated, but the United States, Israel and their allies
    have the largest amount of it," said Justice Party Chairman
    Hidayat Nurwahid.

    The protest was organised by the Justice Party, an
    Islamic-oriented group with only a few representatives in
    parliament but which has proved before its ability to put
    together large, well-organised demonstrations.

    Police with riot shields were on hand near the U.S.

    embassy but the crowd was peaceful. The protesters started to
    disperse at noon.

    About 85 percent of Indonesia's 210 million people are
    Muslims and the vast majority are considered moderate and
    support the government's clampdown on Islamic militants
    believed linked to October's bombing in Bali that killed
    nearly 200 people.

    But neither the government nor most Indonesians are
    sympathetic to U.S. policy on Iraq or on other Middle East
    issues such as the protracted conflict between Israeli forces
    and Palestinians.

    Many religious leaders, politicians and analysts have
    warned a U.S. attack on Iraq could bring a violent backlash in
    the world's fourth most populous country, especially if
    Washington acts without formal U.N. sanction.



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