DATE=9/25/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAKARTA CALM - L
NUMBER=2-254320
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=JAKARTA
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The streets of the Indonesian capital were
quiet Saturday following two days of deadly protests
over a new security law. At least six people were
killed and more than one-hundred injured. As Amy
Bickers reports, Saturday was a day for mourning in
Jakarta.
TEXT: Jakarta is calm after two days of rioting and
clashes with police that closed the city's central
business district. The activists were demonstrating
against a new bill passed by parliament giving
increased powers to the military in areas of unrest.
Late Friday, the government said it would suspend
implementation of the law after local residents joined
students in their protests.
Students in the North Sumatran capital of Medan rioted
anyway, saying the bill should be revoked. They burnt
tires and hurled rocks at security forces.
In Jakarta, Saturday at least one-thousand students
marched towards parliament, chanting and singing.
They laid flowered wreaths at police barricades and
dispersed before reaching parliament.
Earlier, students gathered together to hold a memorial
for students killed this week as they sparred with
security troops in the worst protests this year. Among
the dead is a student at the prestigious University of
Indonesia. In a solemn and emotional procession,
fellow students carried his coffin and photograph.
Security forces continue to monitor central Jakarta
where the streets are littered with gas canisters,
plastic bullets and burnt-out cars. Students have said
more protests could be held in the coming days unless
the government rescinds the law - which they say
threatens the country's fledgling democracy. (SIGNED)
NEB/AB/JO
25-Sep-1999 09:20 AM EDT (25-Sep-1999 1320 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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