Government may extend humanitarian pause in Aceh<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government looks likely to sign a three-
\nmonth extension on a humanitarian pause in Aceh but said it would
\ndemand the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) begin talking
\nsubstantively on settling the problems.<\/p>\n
However a final decision on the accord, which expires on
\nSaturday, is likely to be made by President Abudurrahman Wahid
\nhimself.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
\nAffairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday the government's
\nposition is that it is willing to extend the pause as part of a
\nconflict resolution process with the aim of finding a more
\nconstructive measure to solve Aceh's problems.<\/p>\n
\"We can agree to extend the pause on several conditions in the
\nname of finding a constructive way to solve the problem under the
\nconcept of a unified state of Indonesia,\" Susilo told
\njournalists.<\/p>\n
Susilo said President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri are still discussing a fair and
\ncomprehensive recommendation, along with further arrangements
\nwith GAM.<\/p>\n
\"Tomorrow maybe there will be further talks with GAM on the
\nrequirements we requested if we want to extent the pause,\" Susilo
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said the government
\nexpects GAM to start talking about the issues of substance, at
\nleast a month after the second phase of the pause, if the
\ngovernment decides to extend it.<\/p>\n
\"At least in four weeks time we should start to talk about how
\nwe are going to settle the issue. We are open to discuss all
\npossibilities but a referendum for freedom is not one of them,\"
\nAlwi asserted.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Thursday, the signatory of the pause Hassan
\nWirajuda said Jakarta will be ready to provide all kinds of
\n\"possibilities\" for GAM to reach a political solution for Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"There is a lot we can offer them but freedom is definitely
\nnot one of them,\" Hassan said without elaborating.<\/p>\n
Excuses<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Aceh, GAM spokesman Tengku Maad Muda warned the
\ngovernment against making too many excuses on the question of
\nextending the humanitarian pause.<\/p>\n
\"RI (Republic of Indonesia) better not make too many
\njustifications by saying that GAM violated the truce and
\ncommitted loads of violence while security authorities also
\nconducted similar wrongdoings,\" Maad said in the Pidie regency on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
Maad was referring to earlier remarks from Alwi Shihab and
\nHassan Wirajuda about GAM breaching the ground rules of the
\nhumanitarian pause.<\/p>\n
\"For us, it's okay if the truce is terminated or prolonged.
\nLet a neutral, international observer like the Henry Dunant
\nCenter give their judgment,\" Maad added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Pidie regency was paralyzed on Friday as most
\npeople stayed home or gathered in mosques following a call from
\nthe armed wing commander of GAM Tengku Abdullah Syafiie that all
\nAcehnese perform a fast and pray for three days starting Sept. 1
\n\"in a bid to smooth the way for Aceh's independence\".<\/p>\n
All shops, school and business activities were closed and no
\npublic transportation was operating.<\/p>\n
A quiet Friday was also reported in Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe
\nin North Aceh.<\/p>\n
Police and military, however, were seen stepping up their
\npatrol operations on Friday in villages near Glumpang Tiga
\ndistrict in Pidie, which is known as a stronghold of GAM.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, three civilians were killed and at least three
\nothers injured when a band of unidentified gunmen raided and
\nburned six houses and nine vehicles in Jagong Jeget village in
\nLinge of Central Aceh in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing
\nthe death toll to at least 70 since the pause took effect on June
\n2. (50\/51\/edt\/dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-may-extend-humanitarian-pause-in-aceh-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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