Embassy warned Bush on Indonesian Visit
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 THE US embassy in Indonesia warned today that demonstrations over a visit by
US President George W. Bush could turn violent and told Americans to be
vigilant and avoid protest areas.
Mr Bush is scheduled to make a short visit to Indonesia, the world's most
populous Muslim nation and an ally in US-led anti-terrorism efforts in Asia,
on November 20.
There have already been protests from hardline Muslim groups in the run-up
to the visit.
Separately, an opposition party has criticised the construction of
helicopter pads in the 87ha botanical gardens in Bogor, a scenic town in
foothills near Jakarta.
Mr Bush's meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will
take place at a palace in the gardens, and massive security is expected in
and around Bogor.
“While legitimate groups intend their demonstrations to be peaceful, any
demonstration can turn confrontational and escalate into violence,” the US
embassy said in a statement sent to American citizens in Indonesia.
“The embassy urges Americans to avoid the areas announced as demonstration
sites ... to avoid crowds, maintain a low profile, and be vigilant about
security at all times.”
By Indonesian standards the protests so far, while frequent, have been
relatively small and peaceful.
But on Saturday a low-grade bomb went off at a Jakarta outlet of the
US-based A&W restaurant, an incident some local media linked to Mr Bush's
visit.
Police said today they had not established a motive for the man suspected of
the bombing, although they found material in his home that could have been
used in making more explosives.
Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, has been hit in recent
years by several major bomb attacks on such Western-related targets
including the resort island of Bali, the Australian embassy, and a Marriott
hotel in Jakarta.
The biggest attack, in 2002 in Bali, killed 202 people, including 88
Australians.
Like the other high-profile blasts, it was blamed on Muslim militants tied
to the Jemaah Islamiah network, which aims to establish an Islamic
'superstate' across Southeast Asia.
Muslims account for about 85 per cent of Indonesia's population. Most are
religious moderates, but a more militant component has been increasingly
vocal.
Despite cooperation with Washington in many areas, the Indonesian government
has been a staunch critic of US policy in Iraq and Israel, and anti-American
sentiment among the public has grown during the Bush administration.
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