GAM agrees to end fighting in Aceh: Gus Dur<\/p>\n
THE HAGUE (JP): President Abdurrahman 'Gus Dur' Wahid
\nannounced here on Wednesday that the separatist rebel group Free
\nAceh Movement (GAM) had agreed to end more than two decades of
\nfighting with Indonesian security forces in the restive province
\nand begin peace talks.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said the exiled GAM president, Hassan Tiro,
\napproved the truce during negotiations with the Indonesian
\nambassador to Switzerland.<\/p>\n
\"In Geneva, Hassan Tiro has held talks with our ambassador and
\nthey have agreed to stop the fighting,\" Abdurrahman told some 300
\nIndonesian natives who live here.<\/p>\n
The rebel commander in Aceh, Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie, earlier
\nsaid his forces would be willing to honor a cease-fire if
\nIndonesia's military made the same commitment to putting an end
\nto the violence which has claimed thousands of lives.<\/p>\n
Hassan staged a rebellion in Aceh in the 1970s and later fled
\nto Sweden.<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman, who is on a whistlestop European tour,
\nhas repeatedly said the bloodshed in Aceh would end by March.
\nSince taking office in October, he has offered to hold a
\nreferendum on whether predominantly Muslim Aceh should adopt
\nIslamic law.<\/p>\n
While ruling out independence for Aceh, the President has also
\npromised the province more self-rule and a greater share of
\nrevenue generated from oil and gas reserves.<\/p>\n
He said on Wednesday the situation in Aceh was improving.<\/p>\n
\"There were some incidents, but the situation is under control
\nnow. The opposite process (toward peace) is now underway,\"
\nPresident Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
He said of 12 regencies in Aceh, only three were problematic.<\/p>\n
The prospect of peace follows months of growing violence in
\nthe province on the northern tip of Sumatra island.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday security forces opened fire on rebels in North
\nAceh killing a GAM leader identified as Mukhtar alias Tar Molen,
\n30.<\/p>\n
The local police chief, Lt. Col. Syafei Aksal, said three
\npolice personnel were injured in the exchange of fire between a
\njoint police\/military force and rebels in Uteuen Bunta village,
\nBireun regency.<\/p>\n
About 60 houses were burned in the clash, which according to
\nSyafei flared up when 11 rebels intercepted security personnel
\nwho were about to raid an adjacent GAM base.<\/p>\n
Syafei said the body of Mukhtar was abandoned by his fellow
\nguerrillas.<\/p>\n
\"His friend took away his gun and fled the scene,\" Syafei
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Mukhtar's remains were brought to Cut Meutia Hospital in
\nLhokseumawe while the three wounded police personnel -- Second
\nSgt. Irianto, Pvt. Agus Kuncoro and Pvt. Mimban -- were rushed to
\nLilawangsa Military hospital.<\/p>\n
A TT pistol made in China, 11 0.9 millimeter bullets and 5.56
\nmillimeter caliber, a chain roll of ammunition, a walkie talkie
\nand a car registration document were seized.<\/p>\n
On the same day, security personnel also raided a GAM base in
\nUlee Bukit village, North Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"A rebel opened fire while driving in Blang Pie village near
\nthe base and ran away,\" North Utara Military chief Lt. Col.
\nSuyatno said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Shortly after the attack, some 20 rebels and security
\npersonnel engaged in a clash. No fatalities were reported.<\/p>\n
The rebels reportedly fled to the jungle as security raided
\nthe GAM base and seized six motorbikes, 30 bullets, a magazine
\nfor an AK 47 semiautomatic rifle and a pile of documents.<\/p>\n
Also on Wednesday in North Aceh, alleged rebels threw grenades
\ninto a local government office and a police station, said
\nprovincial police spokesman Lt. Col. Sayed Hoesainy. No one was
\ninjured in the incidents. (50\/51\/edt\/rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gam-agrees-to-end-fighting-in-aceh-gus-dur-1447893297",
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