Only Six Indonesians Remain in Iraq

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian Embassy in Iraq evacuated most of the Indonesian citizens from Iraq on February 4. Indonesian Ambassador to Iraq Dachlan Abdul Hamied said that this was in anticipation of the possibility of war in Iraq. Dachlan said there are only six Indonesian citizens still living in Iraq, including diplomatic staff and two drivers. My wife and my children have been evacuated too, he told Tempo News Room by phone on Monday (17/2). According to Dachlan, there were 104 Indonesian citizens living in Iraq in October 2002. However, most of them were evacuated and only 44 people - consisting of 35 students as well as some diplomatic staff and their families - were left. For the time being, they are in Damascus, Syria. Dachlan went on to explain that the situation in Iraq was still normal. Government and economic activities are still running well although the United Stated keeps threatening to attack the country. Regarding recent condition in Iraq, the Indonesian government yet to instruct the ambassador to leave the country. Meanwhile, other countries embassies in Iraq have been evacuating their citizens as well. The embassies have held a meeting and agreed to leave the country simultaneously if the situation gets worse. In the last few days, the Iraqi government has been distributing free food supplies to the public, enough for three months, in anticipation of the war. Meanwhile, hundreds of reporters from various foreign media have arrived in the country. (Adek Tempo News Room)