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Posted on 10/11/2001 11:05:05 PM PDT by JohnHuang2

JAKARTA, Oct 12, 2001 (Kyodo via COMTEX) -- A bomb has rocked a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet in the South Sulaweisi capital Makassar, Indonesian police said Friday.

A police spokesman said the bomb exploded at 3 a.m., destroying the restaurant's back door and windows. It also damaged some parts of an Indonesian restaurant and a kindergarten school next door to the KFC outlet in a Makassar shopping mall.

There were no casualties or injuries, but the restaurant is closed for an indefinite time.

"We don't have any idea when we will reopen," the KFC Makassar area manager said.

Another bomb was found at the office of Australian insurance company MLC Life a couple of hours later, but it did not explode.

Makassar has rocked for several days by student protests against the U.S.-led aerial bombardment on Afghanistan.

During the rallies, the students sealed off some restaurants they regard as having connection with the United States, such as McDonald's and KFC.

In Jakarta, massive anti-U.S. rallies are expected after Muslims perform their Friday prayers.

An estimated 90% of Indonesia's 210 million people are Muslims.

Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesman Anton Bachrul Alam told Kyodo News a huge number of protesters is expected, rallying at three points -- in front of the U.S. Embassy, the State Palace and the parliament.

"We will not bar them from expressing their protests, but we will not have any tolerance if their actions lead to efforts to defame, threaten or burn U.S. flags," Anton said.

To anticipate the action, 5,000 more policemen will be deployed to assist seven battalions of police and soldiers who have since Monday been on alert across the capital.

In addition, Jakarta Gov. Sutiyoso has sent 2,500 civil defense men, who usually guard housing complexes, to the U.S. Embassy, which remained closed as of Friday, and its surrounding areas.

In a related development, Islamic Defenders Front Chairman Al-Habib Muhammad Rizieq bin Husein Syihab said he has already given freedom for his members to threaten U.S. and British nationals with attack if they do not leave Indonesia.

"When we meet American or British citizens, we will tell them to immediately leave the Indonesian territory and when necessary, we will bring them to the airport if they are afraid to be harmed on the way to the airport," Syihab said.

House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tanjung, however, has urged the government to take stern action against anyone threatening foreign nationals.

"The threats against foreigners will cause a big loss for us," Tanjung told reporters before attending a consultative meeting with President Megawati Sukarnoputri at the State Palace.

"In our agenda of consultations, we will question the government's clear stance on the Afghanistan issue, such as demanding the U.S. to stop the attacks against civilians," he said.

The government issued a statement Monday on the U.S. attacks, but did neighter directly condemn the attacks and at the same time, nor express support for them.

Some political analysts have said Megawati faces a dilemma, badly needing U.S. help for Indonesia's devastated economy but also wanting support from Islamic circles for her administration.

Earlier in the day, the Indonesian Churches' Association (PGI), representing 78 churches in Indonesia, issued a statement condemning the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan and expressing solidarity with the Afghan people.

"Therefore, PGI asks the U.S. and its allies to immediately stop the attacks," it said.

Many Muslim groups in the country have urged Megawati's government to cut diplomatic ties with the U.S. and its allies.

By Christine T. Tjandraningsih

2001 Kyodo News (c) Established 1945

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