Protests against US President George W. Bush were staged in several cities across Indonesia on Tuesday, one day ahead of his brief visit to Bali.

In Jakarta, about 300 members of the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI) rallied outside the US Embassy, torching pictures and an effigy of Bush, as well as American flags.

The protesters displayed banners and posters with slogans such as "Bush is a Liar", "Bush – Vampire", and "Bush – Number One Terrorist". The students also pelted the embassy compound with tomatoes and urged President Megawati Sukarnoputri to reject the visit.

Similar protests were also held in Yogyakarta, Bali, Jember (East Java), Palembang (West Java), Makassar (South Sulawesi), and Solo and Semarang (Central Java).

In Palembang, dozens of students grouped in the so-called Anti Terrorism and Imperialism Movement (GANTI) branded Bush an "imperialist" for occupying Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Yogyakarta, students staged a long march, displaying banners with slogans such as "Say No to Bush", and "Bush Do Not Disturb My Country".

In Denpasar, the capital of Bali, scores of university students and supporters of various political parties rallied outside the US consulate general office.

In Jember, which the base of the 509th Army battalion, protesters called Bush a terrorist and demanded an end to US restrictions on military contacts with Indonesia.

Bush is scheduled to visit Bali for four hours on Wednesday for meetings with Megawati and three moderate Muslim leaders. The visit is part of his six-day Asia-Pacific trip, which also takes in Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Australia.

Security authorities have mobilized 5,000 troops and police to ensure Bush's stopover in Bali proceeds smoothly. Seven warships and an aircraft carrier have been deployed off the resort island, while four US-made F-16s will be on standby.

Several Muslim leaders have criticized the upcoming visit, labeling it a "waste of time". They have also urged Megawati to explain to Bush that his policies are partly responsible for the rise in international terrorism.

"Megawati should explain to Bush that Islam is not a terrorist religion," Achmad Sumargono, a legislator from the Islam-based Crescent Star Party (PBB), was quoted as saying by United Press International.

"Bush has to be aware that acts of terrorism have happened in some parts of the world lately because of the US' political attitude," he added.

Chotibul Umam, a legislator from the National Awakening Party (PKB) said Megawati and Bush should discuss ways to overcome terrorism. "But Bush has to admit that what America has done to the Iraqi people is also an act of terrorism," he was quoted as saying by UPI. "And that should be stopped, because what has been done by the United States against Iraq is not a merely occupation but colonization," he added.

'Tell it like it is'

Leaders of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah Islamic organizations said they would tell Bush that his policies in the Middle East, perceived as favoring Israel, are one of the main causes of terrorism in Asia.

"I will tell it like it is. In Indonesia, the majority are not happy with the US stance in the Middle East conflict," NU leader Hasyim Muzadi was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"But I will not pretend that the president will listen to me. I mean, who am I anyway? Just a representative of some group, when even the UN is being ignored," he added.

Head of the NU Consultative Council Said Agil Siraj said Muzadi will tell Bush that Indonesia is a target, not a supporter, of terrorism.

Muhammadiyah leader Syafii Maarif was quoted as saying: "The foreign policy of the US is very pro-Israel... The sufferings of the Palestinians are growing more acute by the day and desperation or disappointment can lead to irrational actions."

"As for the terrorism issue, we will tell the US that we are all in the same boat. We are here to fight terrorism because terrorism, whoever does it, is against civilization," he added.

'Negative Effect' Indonesian Tourism Society (MPI) official Faisol Hasyim on Monday said people opposed to Bush's visit should write open letters of protest, rather than stage unruly demonstrations.

"Wayward demonstrations against Bush will only have a negative impact on Indonesia, especially its tourism sector," he was quoted as saying by state news agency Antara.

Tourism entrepreneur I.B. Surakusumah said Bush's visit would be a good opportunity to promote Balinese tourism following last year's October 12 nightclub bombings that killed 202 people and injured more than 300 others. Megawati Refutes Islamic Terrorism Megawati on Tuesday said terrorism is in no way related to Islam, which is a religion of peace.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok, she said Indonesia and other nations in the region were firmly committed to combating terrorism.

In Jakarta, an executive of the former ruling Golkar Party said Megawati should tell Bush of the Indonesian people's sentiments, rather than her personal views.

"Megawati should be able to express the sentiments and represent the interests of the Indonesian people at her meeting with the US president. Bush should know that Indonesia has yet to recover from the multi-dimensional crisis of the post-Suharto era," Pinantun Hutasoit was quoted as saying by Antara.

He also said Megawati should be careful not to make any mistakes that might cause future problems.