The Los Angeles Times

JAKARTA, Indonesia Concerned by mounting threats against Americans in Indonesia, the U.S. Embassy here said yesterday that it will begin withdrawing "nonemergency" employees and family members who wish to leave the country.

In a strongly worded warning, the embassy urged other Americans to consider leaving and advised those who remain in Indonesia to "exercise maximum caution."

Outside the U.S. Embassy, more than 1,000 demonstrators burned American and Israeli flags and an effigy of President Bush yesterday to protest the expected U.S. military action in Afghanistan. Some chanted, "Go to hell, America."

In recent days, several Islamic fundamentalist groups have threatened to kill Americans if the United States retaliates against Afghanistan for the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and near Washington.

One radical newspaper published a death threat this week against U.S. Ambassador Robert Gelbard. On Thursday, the ambassador criticized Indonesian authorities for not taking action against extremists .

"They have not been prepared to act, to warn or to arrest people who break the law when there are threats against the lives of Americans," Gelbard told reporters.

Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri condemned the Sept. 11 attacks last week when she visited Washington and met with Bush. But Indonesia, which has the world"s largest Muslim population, is divided in its loyalties.