|
Severe Condemnation of U.S. Attacks in Southeast Asia
By Kazi Mahmood
JAKARTA, Oct 8 (IslamOnline) - Protests, pressure groups and angry statements marked the early morning Monday in several capitals in Southeast Asia following U.S. attacks against Afghanistan.
The Malaysian government condemned the U.S. attacks against military and civilian targets on Sunday night Asian time, saying that it will not be party to the U.S. coalition against terrorism.
Sources in Kuala Lumpur say the Malaysian government, in a letter addressed by Malaysian Premier Mahathir Mohamad to U.S. President George W. Bush, has, instead, urged the administration to curb the increasing violence in Palestine and not attack Afghans.
The Malaysian opposition Islamic party (PAS) was more specific in its condemnation, calling the U.S. a terroristic and undemocratic country.
In Jakarta, anti-U.S. rallies continued, though on a lesser scale than expected. There were angry exhortations from the crowd gathered at the U.S. and British embassies, calling on the Indonesian government to sever ties with the U.S.
The Islamic Popular Front (FPI) warned that it would block the U.S. embassy in Jakarta and would not allow movement of people in and out of the precinct if the U.S. continued its attacks on the Afghans.
Observers believe, however, that there will not be large crowds in support of the anti-U.S. rallies because not many British or U.S. citizens were left in the city.
The embassies are effectively closed.
The level of anti-U.S. sentiments has taken a sharp rise in Jakarta where Indonesians vowed to attack anything that is "American and moving".
"In Indonesia, when we say it, we will do it. The Americans better take heed," a demonstrator said.
In the Philippines, Brunei and Singapore, Muslims were divided over the necessity for the U.S. to attack Afghanistan.
A majority, however, said they were angry that the U.S. and Great Britain resorted to attacks and the use of force, not giving the Afghans any opportunities on the diplomatic front.
"The U.S. and Britain dictated the Afghans to do this, and that if not, to face military action. This is not diplomacy, this is military threat," a Singaporean told IslamOnline.
Overall, for the region, sooner or later, if the attacks against the Afghans continue, both the tourism and travel industries will register serious business nosedives.
|
