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Indonesian Islamic Youth Movement Sends Members to Afghanistan
The Indonesian Islamic Youth Movement (GPII) has sent some people to Afghanistan to wage a jihad if the United States attacks that country, GPII General Chairman Askodar said.
However, he refused to give any details.
He was quoted by the Detikcom online news service Wednesday as saying that if the U.S. goes ahead with its planned attack on Afghanistan, the organization will take several actions to combat the attacks.
"Basically, we will use all capabilities to help fellow Muslim, " he added.
Separately, the Islamic Youth Movement (GPI), another Muslim organization, said more than 200 of its members had signed up to participate in a possible war against the U.S. in Afghanistan.
Several groups pledged in Jakarta last week to attack the U.S. embassy and expel U.S. citizens from Indonesia if the U.S. attacks Afghanistan or any Middle Eastern country.
The threats to hunt down Americans has given rise to anxiety among Westerners residing in Indonesia. It was reported that there were some 4,000 Western European people residing in Indonesia.
The Indonesian government has publicly expressed it opposition to the threats, searches and intimidation issued by groups against Americans living in Indonesia.
"These moves are improper. Do not harass and hunt foreigners who stay here. Just let the government handle this problems," Vice President Hamzah Haz said after presiding over a Cabinet meeting here on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, who is accompanying President Megawati Soekarnoputri on the visit to the U.S., said that such actions would tarnish Indonesia's image abroad.
Legislators also pleaded with the police to take action after a search for Americans was carried out by militant groups in top hotels in Surakarta, Central Java, on Sunday.
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf Tuesday said that the police could only act firmly against those who broke the law.
"If they detain, abuse or attack foreigners, we will arrest and deal with the assailants accordingly, for there is a law against such actions," he said.
Asked about the wave of anti-U.S. protests in several cities around the country, Saleh said that the groups involved were merely staging protests without endangering life or property.
He added that the police had held discussions with some hard- line groups and warned them not to commit any acts that could disturb the peace.
"We will closely observe their movements to ensure that no harm is done," he said.
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