Banda Aceh quiet as GAM celebrates anniversary<\/p>\n
Ibnu Mat Noor and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Kuala Simpang\/Bireuen<\/p>\n
Banda Aceh was largely deserted on Wednesday, with most public
\ntransport off the streets, as the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
\ncelebrated its 26th independence anniversary.<\/p>\n
The situation in the capital, home to about 370,000 people,
\nwas generally quiet, with many shops closed. Only a small number
\nof people were seen at traditional markets and shopping centers.<\/p>\n
Banda Aceh's inter-city bus terminal was also deserted
\nWednesday. Police personnel offered help by operating dozens of
\nbuses for the public.<\/p>\n
Soldiers and police patrolled the outskirts of the city in
\ntrucks.<\/p>\n
Sigli and most other towns in Pidie district and Lhokseumawe
\nin North Aceh were also reportedly near-deserted on Wednesday
\nmorning.<\/p>\n
GAM, which has been fighting for an independent Aceh,
\ncelebrated its 26th independence anniversary on Wednesday,
\ndespite warnings and attack threats by the Indonesian military
\n(TNI) and police.<\/p>\n
Government and GAM representatives are due to meet in Geneva
\nnext Monday to sign a deal to end the bloody war. International
\nmediators from the Henry Dunant Centre say they are confident the
\nsigning will go ahead.<\/p>\n
At least 28 GAM flags were hoisted in Aceh Besar regency
\nTuesday night, but security forces quickly lowered and burned
\nthem on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
In Tamiang, East Aceh, GAM fighters held a flag-raising
\nceremony at 8 a.m. under tight security. Around one thousand GAM
\nfighters were deployed to secure the location.<\/p>\n
Tamiang GAM commander Tengku Syamsuddin bin Mahmud Saleh said
\nthe tight security was normal.<\/p>\n
\"Just to make sure that Dec. 4 is not a bloodshed day, but a
\nday of commemoration of Aceh's independence. We have been
\ncommemorating that day since 1976,\" Syamsuddin told The Jakarta
\nPost here.<\/p>\n
A speech by self-exiled GAM leader Tengku Muhammad Hasan di
\nTiro was read out by GAM spokesman Tengku Fauzillah during the
\nceremony.<\/p>\n
In his speech, Tiro urged the people of Aceh to ignore all
\nthreats from TNI and Jakarta. \"We have fought this war for 26
\nyears today. If needed, we will go on fighting until our noble
\ngoal is achieved,\" Tiro said.<\/p>\n
Soon after the commemoration, a gunfight between TNI and GAM
\nrebels broke out. There were no reports of casualties in the
\nencounter.<\/p>\n
GAM fighters in Bireuen regency, North Aceh, commemorated the
\nmovement's anniversary on Tuesday, apparently to avoid armed
\ncontact with TNI. Some 300 rebels in full battle gear attended
\nthe ceremony.<\/p>\n
GAM field commander Muzakkir Manaf was conspicuously absent
\nfrom the celebrations without explanations.<\/p>\n
\"Muzakkir Manaf is unable to attend (the ceremony),\" said GAM
\nspokesman Sofyan Dawood who led the ceremony.<\/p>\n
Sofyan denied speculation that Muzakkir's absence related to
\nthe military siege at Cot Trieng, North Aceh.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, two explosions rocked locations in east Banda Aceh
\non Tuesday night causing tension among local people.<\/p>\n
Earlier, a police Mobile Brigade barracks in Jeulingke, 4
\nkilometers east of Banda Aceh, was destroyed by fire. No
\ncasualties were reported.<\/p>",
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