Thousands hold rally outside U.S. consulate office in E Java
Surabaya, E Java, (ANTARA News) - Thousands of activists of the Indonesian Islamic Organization Hizbut Tahir Indonesia (HTI) staged a rally outside the office of the US Consulate General here on Sunday in protest against US Congress`s letter asking for the release of two detained sympathizers of the outlawed Free Papua Organzation (OPM).
The HTI activists began their rally at 9 am carrying posters and banners with messages criticizing the US government which they said had gone too far in intervening into Indonesia`s domestic affairs.
Rally coordinator Fikri A Zudian said the US intervention was seen in a letter signed by 40 US congressmen who asked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to release two members of the separatist OPM, Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage.
"The US said that freedom of thought should be respected while in fact the two OPM members had committed a rebellious act and hoisted the morning star flag," he said.
He said that the US Congress letter was proof of the US intervention into Indonesia`s domestic affairs and of its support for the outlawed OPM.
Therefore, he said, HTI called on President Yudhoyono and the rank and file of his government to reject the US Congress request.
Tens of members of the HTI also staged a rally outside the US embassy on Saturday asking Washington not to meddle in Indonesia`s domestic affairs.
The demonstrators unfurled banners reading "HTI Rejects US Intervention in Papua" and "Prevent the Nation`s Disintegration".
The HTI held the rally after 40 US Congressmen reportedly had written to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono demanding the "immediate and unconditional" release of two sympathizers of the OPM, Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage.
Karma and Pakage were sentenced to 15 years and 10 years imprisonment respectively in May 2005 for hoisting the "Bintang Kejora" (Morning Star) flag of OPM in Abepura, Papua, on December 1, 2004.
