Indonesia Not Yet Evacuating Citizens from North Korea: Spokesman

By Amie Fenia Arimbi Jakarta (Antara) - Despite the statement made by the North Korean authorities that it cannot ensure the safety of foreigners after April 10, Indonesia is not yet evacuating its citizens from the country, Michael Tene, a spokesman of the foreign affairs ministry, said. "We are still observing the situation in North Korea. Of course the ministry and staff at our embassy in Pyongyang have an evacuation plan, but we have not yet used the plan," he said here on Saturday. According to the ministry's data there are 30 Indonesians living in North Korea, most of them are diplomats and their families. The warning was made by North Korean authorities following the rising tension in the Korean peninsula recently. North Korea has said it cannot assure the safety of embassies in Pyongyang after April 10, and has urged Britain, Russia and other European nations to evacuate diplomatic staff amid soaring nuclear tensions. Countries across Europe last Friday (April 5) reported receiving a letter suggesting they pull out of Pyongyang, as an increasingly bellicose North Korea moved two mid-range missiles to its east coast. "Their communication said that from April 10, the North Korean government would be unable to guarantee the safety of embassies and international organisations in the country in the event of conflict," a spokeswoman for Britain`s Foreign Office said. "Our understanding is that the North Koreans were asking whether embassies are intending to leave, rather than advising them to leave." Britain was considering its next steps, she said, while reminding North Korea of its responsibilities under the Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic missions. Russia, which has relatively close ties with North Korea, also received the missive. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was in close contact with its partners including China over the suggestion.. "The suggestion was made to all embassies in Pyongyang and we are trying to clarify the situation," Russian news agencies quoted Lavrov. "We are in close contact with our Chinese partners as well as the Americans", and all participants in the frozen six-party talks process seeking peace on the peninsula, he added.(*) Fardah Assegaf