Jakarta - Police fired warning shots and tear gas yesterday to keep several hundred Islamic activists from storming the US embassy compound in Indonesia. The activists were protesting over the military strikes against Afghanistan.
The clash was the most severe in a series of anti-American demonstrations across Indonesia, which is home to more Muslims than any other nation. Boisterous demonstrations also occurred in at least four other Indonesian cities today, with protesters burning American flags and effigies of President Bush.
Radical Muslim groups have threatened to attack Americans if the Indonesian government does not sever diplomatic relations with the US. The threats have prompted thousands of Westerners to leave the country.