US: Indonesians Not to be Target of Antiterrorism Operation

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The United States has guaranteed that Indonesian citizens living in the country will not be the target of antiterrorism operations. This is related to a new US immigration regulation that obliges Indonesian citizens, along with citizens of several other countries whose citizens are mostly Muslims, to register and report to the US authorities. Indonesian citizens will not be the target, Stephen Mull, Charge d Affaires at the US Embassy in Jakarta, announced during a press conference held at his office in Friday afternoon (24/1). He confirmed that Indonesian citizens will not be treated discriminatory, even though some Indonesians such as Hambali and Kadungga are allegedly involved in the Al-Qaeda network. The US imposed the new regulation on October 1, 2002, and it will remain in force until March 24, 2003. The US Ministry of Justice has announced on January 16 that the regulation has been imposed on Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Kuwait, and Jordan. From 2005, it will be imposed on all countries. Apart from women, permanent residents, A and G visas (diplomatic passport) and males under 16 years old, all Indonesians living in the US for more than 30 days are obliged to re-register and report to immigration offices. They will be questioned about their reason for living in the US, their activities and addresses. Indonesians will also be asked to have their fingerprints and photos taken. Mull went on to say that this was is not a discriminative action against certain race or religion. It is untrue that the regulation is considered as an anti-Muslim regulation, he said firmly and added though it has been imposed on several other countries whose citizens are mostly Muslims. In addition, it has been imposed on th countries that are the USmilitary partners, such as Kuwait and Jordan. He explained the regulation is intended to eradicate terrorism but this does not mean that Indonesia is a terrorist country. Mull even said that Indonesian illegal migrant discovered in the US would not be punished. They will not be arrested or imprisoned, he said. The illegal migrants will be given some months to complete their documents and other requirements. However, if they yet to complete their documents within a certain time, they will be asked to leave the country. So, they will not be deported, he said. Mull added the US government called on Indonesian citizens to understand and accept the regulation, as it is intended to improve security in the US. The new regulation, Mull said, will not influence the process of visa application to visit the US. We only try to be more careful, Mull said. He added that the US government hopes to prevent terrorist acts in the country and eradicate terrorism. Terrorist acts may come from any country. We have to stop and prevent them from killing people, he said. He that it was because the previous US immigration system had been weak that the September 11 incident happened. (Faisal-Tempo News Room)