Indonesian Demonstrators Clash With Security ForcesHundreds of students clashed with security forces when they demonstrated in front of the United States embassy Tuesday in Jakarta to protest over US military action on Afghanistan.The clash occurred when the students grouped in the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI), reinforced by a crowd from the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), tried to break through the barbed wire barricade set up by the security forces to prevent the demonstrators from getting to the embassy gate. After succeeding in breaking through the barricade, the students proceeded to gain further access. Security forces, however, pushed them back. Faced with strong resistance from the students, the security forces then shot the demonstrators with a water cannon and tear gas, forcing them to retreat. Before forcing their way through the barricade, the students had staged a rally, denouncing the attack by U.S. and British forces on Afghanistan, and setting a U.S. flag on fire. The students urged the Indonesian government to sever diplomatic ties with the U.S., freeze the assets and all economic contracts with the U.S. and Britain, and foster international Muslim solidarity against the aggressors. After the clash, the KAMMI members dispersed, but the FPI crowd stayed across the street from the U.S. embassy. Habib Fachri, one of the demonstrators' field coordinators, had earlier stated that the FPI will stay on for at least three days, until the Indonesian government fulfills their demand to sever diplomatic ties with the U.S. He also disclosed that more FPI supporters are on their way from Madura in East Java province, Karawang and Garut in West Java province, and Lampung province to reinforce the rallies in Jakarta. |
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