GAM is still 'committed to dialog'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Spokesman of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
\nseparatist rebels Amni bin Marzuki asserted on Wednesday that
\nboth GAM and Indonesian representatives in the joint Peace
\nThrough Dialog (DMD) committee are "actively continuing dialog in
\nan effort to stop violence in the disputed Aceh province".<\/p>\n
Amni further questioned Coordinating Minister of Political,
\nSocial and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who called
\nGAM to return to the negotiation table.<\/p>\n
"We are questioning such statements as here in Aceh both
\nrebels and government representatives are continuing talks on how
\nto stop the rampaging violence," he said, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Separately, spokesman of Police Cinta Meunasah II Operation
\nAdj. Sr. Comr. Sad Harunantyo told The Jakarta Post from Banda
\nAceh, the capital of Aceh, on Wednesday that rebels continued to
\nlaunch attacks against security posts and patrolling officers.<\/p>\n
"Attacks, bombings and arson were recorded on Tuesday and
\nWednesday in Each Aceh and North Aceh," the officer said.<\/p>\n
Details of the incidents, however, were not immediately
\navailable.<\/p>\n
Nearly 400 people have been killed in Aceh this year.<\/p>\n
Jakarta eventually slapped the "separatist" label on GAM, who
\nhave been fighting for an independent Islamic state since 1976,
\non March 12.<\/p>\n
At least 11 companies of the military elite Rajawali II anti-
\nguerrilla squad have been deployed in Aceh this week to quell the
\nseparatist movement in the disputed region.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, President Abdurrahman Wahid hinted on Wednesday
\nthat the government would appreciate GAM factions that are
\nwilling to accept the government-proposed law on special autonomy
\nfor Aceh, but would take stern measures against those opposing
\nautonomy.<\/p>\n
"GAM factions that are willing to cooperate will be highly
\nappreciated. But, those opposing the autonomy proposal will be
\npursued and punished," said the President as quoted by chairman
\nof the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI) Adhyaksa.<\/p>\n
Adhyaksa, along with KNPI executive board members, met with
\nAbdurrahman at the Bina Graha presidential office on Wednesday
\nand asked the President about the government's stance in
\nobserving GAM's position ahead of the implementation of the
\nspecial autonomy law, known as Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.<\/p>\n
The law was initially expected to be endorsed by the House of
\nRepresentatives before May 1, 2001.<\/p>\n
Adhyaksa said KNPI hoped that Aceh's problems could soon be
\nsettled in an effort to prevent more victims of violence, either
\namong military and police officers or the Aceh people.<\/p>\n
"Although thousands of military and police officers are
\ndeployed in Aceh, there will be more fatalities if there is no
\nsolution to the problems in Aceh," he said.<\/p>\n
The KNPI chairman said they also asked the President about the
\nlatest political development in the country, especially on the
\ndelegation of daily presidential duties to Vice President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
He said Presidential Decree No. 121\/2000 on the Delegation of
\nDaily Presidential Duties to the Vice President should be
\nenhanced by the issuance of a decree of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR).<\/p>\n
"But, Gus Dur only said that he would await the outcome of
\npolitical developments over the next few days," Adhyaksa said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, rector of Banda Aceh-based State Syah Kuala
\nUniversity Dayan Daud said that the deployment of security troops
\nwould not solve Aceh's problems.<\/p>\n
"If Jakarta uses a military approach again, it will only
\ncreate more suffering and cause vengeance," Dayan told media in
\nMakassar, capital of South Sulawesi, at the national meeting of
\nthe Rectors' Forum on Wednesday. (27\/edt)<\/p>",
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