BPMIGAS says no evacuation of Caltex?s workers

BPMIGAS Friday denied media reports that dozens of expatriates working for PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI) in Riau had left the country due to fears that the ongoing Iraqi war might instigate terrorists to target Americans and other foreigners in Indonesia.

The agency, through its public relations officer, L. Harijanto, said that only 31 people covering CPI?s expatriate workers and their family members had left Riau for a holiday in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and several foreign countries like Singapore, Hongkong, New Zealand, the United Sates and Australia.

Harijanto said their holiday plan was part of CPI?s regular programs. They left Riau between March 23 and 27.

?All of them are expected to return to Riau early April,? he said.

Harijanto added: ?So far, BPMIGAS, CPI and its parent company ChevronTexaco have never issued any policy to evacuate expatriate workers and their families.?

Kompas reported Friday that at least 87 expatriates working for CPI had left for Singapore amidst growing anti-American sentiment in Indonesia following U.S.-led military attack on Iraq.

CPI is Indonesia?s largest onshore oil company operating oil fields in Riau.

BPMIGAS holds the highest authority in the country?s upstream oil and gas sector. (leo)