Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/24/03

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=INDONESIA LOWKEY PROTESTS

NUMBER=5-53299

BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN

DATELINE=JAKARTA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT=

INTRO: Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Indonesian capital to protest the war in Iraq. But the number is low, given expectations of massive protests. Patricia Nunan in Jakarta reports the Indonesian government's stiff opposition to the war may be muting the public response.

TEXT: ACT - DEMONSTRATION SOUND

Demonstrators have protested outside the U-S Embassy in Jakarta every day since the war in Iraq began last week. They say the U-S government is guilty of committing terrorism, instead of fulfilling its pledge to fight it.

Mohammed Ihsan Tandjung helped organize one demonstration against the U-S led offensive in Iraq.

/// ACT - TANDJUNG ///

That is why in this demo we have given an award for George W. Bush that he is the terrorist number-one in the world.

/// END ACT ///

But so far, the anti-U-S protests in Jakarta have been peaceful and smaller than expected - especially when compared with the protests that erupted during the U-S-led bombing of Afghanistan in 2001.

Then, protesters gathered outside the U-S Embassy for 24-straight days. In at least one demonstration, police fired warning shots over the crowd, to prevent protesters from storming the embassy. In other protests, security forces fired tear gas and water cannons into the crowds.

One reason for the muted protests may be Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri's strong condemnation of the war. People may feel her government is more clearly expressing their opinions to the world.

/// ACT- MEGAWATI IN INDONESIAN, EST, FADE ///

President Megawati calls for the U-N Security Council to hold an emergency session to pressure the United States and its allies to stop the war. She says they must take responsibility for the humanitarian problems caused by the conflict in Iraq.

In contrast, after the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Ms. Megawati quickly pledged to support Washington's war on terror.

It was not until weeks later that she criticized Washington's use of force in Afghanistan. And before she did, tens-of-thousands of Indonesians took to the streets in protest.

Din Syamsuddin is heads the Indonesian Council of Ulama, a leading Islamic organization.

/// ACT - SYAMSUDDIN ///

Now I read in the media and I heard directly from President Megawati that the Indonesian (government) does not agree with the attack and insists the United Nations take measures. So maybe to a certain degree that influences the mood of the marchers.

/// END ACT ///

Last year's terrorist bombing on the Indonesian island of Bali also may be discouraging protests. More than 200-people died in October when suspected members of the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist network bombed two nightclubs packed with foreign tourists.

Ulil Abshar-Abdullah is with the Liberal Islam Network, a think-tank based in Jakarta. He points out that most Indonesians practice a moderate form of Islam. He says after the Bali bombing many Indonesians felt the bombers had damaged their country's reputation. People do not want to be linked to extremists, so fewer are taking to the streets.

/// ACT - ABSHAR - ABDULLAH ///

So the Bali bombing ... unified the voice of the moderate, the mainstream of the majority of the people against the radical voice.

/// END ACT ///

Despite the calm reaction, there are concerns Indonesian radical groups could attempt new terrorism acts to protest the war. The U-S and Australian governments have renewed their travel warnings about Indonesia, asking citizens to consider leaving because of the possibility that extremists may target Westerners. Moderate Islamic groups are planning protests in the coming days. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/PN/KPD/RAE/FC