JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government
expressed its deep sorrow early on Wednesday to the U.S. government and American people
and condemned the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in
Washington D.C., which claimed a largenumber of victims.
The Indonesian government sent its condolences and sympathy, especially to the
next-of-kin of the victims, the state secretary said in a media statement, as quoted by Antara.
Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda has also instructed all Indonesian diplomatic channels
in New York and Washington DC to immediately take necessary measures to help any
Indonesian citizens who might have fallen victim to the attacks.
However, Indonesian diplomatic channels in both cities have not yet received any
reports on whether or not Indonesian citizens were among the victims.
Wirayuda said President Megawati might cancel her trip, scheduled from Sept. 19 through
Sept. 25. A decision will be taken later on Wednesday.
In the meantime, spokesman of the Indonesian Permanent Representative Office (PTRI) in
the United Nations Tatang B. Razak said his party remained alert following an evacuation
instruction to all people in the UN building.
"The suspension of activities in and evacuation from the UN building might be
ordered because the UN headquarters, or any part of Manhattan, could still be the target
of possible further attacks," he said.
