Exxon halts activities in troubled Aceh<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Giant American oil company Exxon-Oil,
\nhas temporarily halted exploration and administrative activities
\nin Aceh due to rising concerns over security.<\/p>\n
Sources at the company, formerly known as Mobil Oil Indonesia,
\nsaid several of the more 2,000 workers at the company's
\nheadquarters in Lhoksukon, an industrial regency in North Aceh
\nlocated some 32 kilometers east of Lhokseumawe, would temporarily
\nstay home until the situation improved.<\/p>\n
Some employees reportedly received threats, including
\nanonymous telephone calls warning their housing complexes would
\nbe burned down.<\/p>\n
The company's compounds in Matangkuli and Lhoksukon have been
\nthe target of arson and bomb attacks in the past few weeks.<\/p>\n
The situation in the province remains tense as violence
\ncontinues on a daily basis.<\/p>\n
The latest incident on Tuesday resulted in the death of a man,
\nidentified as M. Nasir, who was shot in Pidie by a group of eight
\narmed assailants.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. acknowledged
\nin Jakarta on Tuesday the province was increasingly tense in
\nrecent weeks.<\/p>\n
He stressed, however, that the military would not send
\nreinforcements to the province.<\/p>\n
"The main point is we will continue to enforce law and will
\ndecide measures to be taken after receiving a full report from
\nthe local police officials," Widodo said after attending a
\nministerial meeting on political and security affairs.<\/p>\n
Lilawangsa Military Commander Col. Syarifudin Tippe was
\ninvited to the meeting to brief top government officials on the
\nsituation in Aceh.<\/p>\n
"We all know that troops never really solve problem, and only
\nwill increase tension there," Syarifudin said.<\/p>\n
Peace<\/p>\n
Despite the tension, there are signs the strife-torn province
\nmay be about to enter a new phase with a peace agreement expected
\nto be signed this week in Geneva between Jakarta and Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM) officials.<\/p>\n
GAM spokesman Ismail Syahputra called on the people to hold a
\nprayer for peace and order in the province as GAM leaders hold a
\ndialog with the Indonesian government.<\/p>\n
"We don't want any Acehnese to be hurt anymore," Ismail said
\nin Aceh.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in the continuation of the Tengku Bantaqiah trial on
\nMonday, a civilian witness, Zainuddin alias Aman Dolah, 50,
\nrecounted the events which led to the death of 57 people in
\nBeutong Ateuh village in West Aceh on July 23 last year.<\/p>\n
Zainuddin, who acted as a guide for the troops, said Lt. Col.
\nSudjono and Capt. Anton Yuliantoro conducted a raid on the
\nboarding school in the village. He testified a disturbance began
\nafter one of the soldiers struck Tengku Bantaqiah's son, Tengku
\nUsman.<\/p>\n
He said Sudjono ordered the execution of a number of wounded
\ncivilians in the military operation.<\/p>\n
Zainuddin's account was questioned by the court as it often
\ndiffered from his earlier written deposition.<\/p>\n
The court is adjourned until Wednesday. (dja\/50\/51\/edt)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/exxon-halts-activities-in-troubled-aceh-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }