Aceh peaceful ahead of GAM anniversary<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): While tension was mounting in Irian
\nJaya following the celebration of the unsuccessful 1961
\ndeclaration of independence, there was a semblance of peace at
\nthe opposite end of the archipelago on Sunday.<\/p>\n
In Aceh on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM), the police reiterated a warning against attempts
\nto hoist the separatist flag.<\/p>\n
\"We will take stern action against people who attempt to raise
\nflags other than national red-and-white flags in the territory,\"
\nPolice Special Operation Cinta Meunasah deputy chief Supt. Yatim
\nSuyatmo said.<\/p>\n
In response to the warning, GAM military wing (AGAM) commander
\nSofyan Daud indicated on Sunday compliance with the police ban.<\/p>\n
\"If hoisting GAM flags will endanger people's lives, we advise
\nthem not to do it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, the GAM spokesman for Pidie regency, Abu Razak,
\nsaid the commemoration of the movement's anniversary would be low
\nkey since it coincides with the Islamic fasting month.<\/p>\n
There will no official program to mark Monday's anniversary,
\nbut GAM governor for North Aceh Sayed Adnan said some 30 GAM
\ncommanders in their respective areas were expected to read out a
\nwritten statement from Aceh rebel leader Hasan Tiro, who is
\nliving in self-exile in Sweden.<\/p>\n
Sayed said Aceh GAM chief commander Abdullah Syafei was
\nexpected to preside over the ceremony to be held in Batee Iliek
\narea, Bireuen regency.<\/p>\n
Sayed added that the contents of Tiro's speech was mainly to
\ncall on Acehnese to continue fighting for independence.<\/p>\n
Local reporters who wish to cover the event were told to leave
\nfor Batee Iliek a day earlier, for fears that security personnel
\nwould step up measures to prevent them reaching the area.<\/p>\n
Democracy<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker
\nAmien Rais insisted on Sunday that commitment to democracy would
\nhelp the government deal with disintegration threats facing the
\nnation.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a discussion with Muslim followers packing the
\nmosque in the compound of Gadjah Mada University here, Amien said
\nthe country was facing the most serious threats ever compared to
\nregional rebellions in the past.<\/p>\n
He said the use of force would be dangerous, if not fail to
\naddress the separatist movement in the restive provinces of Aceh
\nand Irian Jaya, also known as West Papua, which mostly stemmed
\nfrom socioeconomic injustices and the central government's
\nfailure to meet aspirations of people there.<\/p>\n
\"I have observed with anxiety people beginning to think that
\nan authoritarian government is more workable (in coping with the
\ndisintegration threats) than a democratic one. This is of course
\nvery dangerous,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He admitted, however, the separatist movement was \"an
\nunimaginable outcome\" of the reform movement that showed long-
\ntime ruler Soeharto the door in May 1998.<\/p>\n
\"It is only a matter of time before separatism in Aceh and
\nPapua explodes,\" Amien, who visited Aceh as part of his tour of
\nSumatra recently, warned.<\/p>\n
Amien, who played a leading role in the reform movement, also
\nproposed that the government uphold justice, regain the trust of
\nboth people in the country and international community and ensure
\nclean governance to bring the country's multifold problems under
\ncontrol.<\/p>\n
A military source, meanwhile, told The Jakarta Post that three
\nbattalions of Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) had been
\nsent to both Irian Jaya and Aceh to back up police to maintain
\norder in the two provinces.<\/p>\n
He said the move was in line with President Abdurrahman
\nWahid's pledge not to let go of the two natural resource-rich
\nterritories.<\/p>\n
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto has said that the
\ntroops have donned police uniforms.<\/p>\n
The source said the decision to use police uniforms was made
\nbecause \"the government's stance to use dialog has presented us
\nwith a serious problem and provides us with no legal basis to
\nlaunch operations\".<\/p>\n
To anticipate possible disturbances in Aceh on Monday, the
\nmilitary says it will take stern action if necessary, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Once they (the Acehnese) declare independence, the military
\nwill have no choice but to crush them,\" the source said.
\n(02\/50\/lup\/swa)<\/p>",
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