JAKARTA POLICE NOT TO BAN RALLIES DURING OBAMA'S VISIT

Jakarta, Mar 12 (ANTARA) - The Jakarta Metropolitan Police will not ban the staging of demonstrations at public places during US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit later in March, a spokesman said.

"We will adhere to our established policy : no prohibition on public activity, including demonstrations," Jakarta Metropolitan Police Headquarters public relations chief Senior Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar said here Friday.

However, he said, anybody intending to hold a street rally must give the police prior notice so that police can take precautionary measures "to ensure that the situation remains conducive."
Also, he added, under existing laws, demonstrations cannot be held at or near vital objects such as airports, the parliament building, the presidential palace, houses of worship and schools.

The police would also order the postponement of certain kinds of public activity that always had the potential of triggering riots such as football matches and music concerts because such riots could easily lead to conflicts.

The US president is expected to visit Indonesia on March 20-22.

Meanwhile, the National Police would launch an operation dubbed "Aman Nusa VII" to prevent security disturbances in all parts of the country to be visited by the US leader.