I opened up a new thread for the Indonesia reports. Maybe Jake will move the others to here, maybe not. Not necessary nor important.

Latest report from Jakarta:

Former President Wahid was on TV last night. Signs up for anti-terrorism and urges Indonesians to stay peaceful. He was successful in that call for peace when his followers (2nd largest party in government) wanted to have a Jihad to fight to the death to keep him in power. He spoke, they didn't act.

Top Indonesia Islamic authority (MUI) condemned the attacks on America, but urges peaceful solution and if not, a 'jihad' should be called against America, et.al.

Now here is the most enlightening part that concerns all of us in America and elsewhere: When the MUI was asked if a 'jihad' meant an armed conflict against the West, they said "No, fighting in the name of Allah can mean many things."

Another report showed that only 200 boys/men signed up to join a 'jihad' (the fighting kind) and follow the Taliban regime. This low number is very encouraging.

Travel to Indonesia: The State department has issued alerts against unnecessary travel. I personally deem diving in Bali and elsewhere a necessity in life . Bali is realitively safe at this time.

Sweeps: The authorities are reluctant to interfere until the laws are broken. Translation - just as in America, the people have the freedom to protest, when it becomes physical and/or they force someone to do something they don't want to, then the police will step in. Thus far, the 'sweeps' have just been groups telling people they will expel them if there is a conflict in Afghanistan.....they are allowed to do that. Our own unions 'verbally' threaten people on strike lines, but are not arrested until they actually do somehthing.

I do not anticipate sweeps. The government and police are doing everything to protect everyone's rights. The Brit Ambassador felt the police were serious in their protecting foreign nationals.

Embassy of Oz: it's in my home. I click my heals and look at my son and see all kinds of yellow brick roads leading to a happy future for all of us. I'm surrounded by all the good people and the Wicked Witch of the East (had to change that one) is far far away from the inter sanctums of our Oz.

Other Embassies: In my opinion, not safe at this time. Many protestors - peaceful, but so were the anti-abortion and anti-Nam protestors in the beginning. Time will tell, but I'm optimistic.

I beleive there will be tension here in the coming days, but I see traces of the 60s and 70s protests. Protesting is important in a democracy and we have relished this freedom over the centuries. Here, they have only had democracy and these freedoms for 3 years - and I actually like to see it happening because these people have been restricted for 32 years. I see it as a growth towards a stronger democracy.

Chér Professeur, the Oz I had in mind isn't big on ruby slippers. Just waltzing mathilda's and wombats.

Barry,
Would love to talk to you re diving Indonesia (see my last entry on 8/17 under what are the best snorkel sites. Don't want to use this thread for this, can we start a new one?
1Nancy (Bonaire bound 10/11!!!!!!! first time).

Wrong guy to talk to...I havent' done much diving here at all, nor know anything about snorkeling sites. I'm told Bali is a great place for both.

It would be a wasted thread, besides this is a Bonaire discussion board. I'm only writing about Indonesia to let everyone know the 'temperature' of the largest Muslim population in respect to the attack on Afghanistan. What happens here can have affect on the rest of you.

Peace