Government not to extend humanitarian pause in Aceh<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government confirmed on Friday it would not
\nextend the humanitarian pause in restive Aceh province but would
\nturn to stiff measures if the separatist rebel group failed to
\nshow commitment to peace.<\/p>\n
Defense minister Mahfud MD told The Jakarta Post the current
\nhumanitarian pause, which was aimed at restoring peace to allow
\nhumanitarian aid to reach the province, could be put to an end
\nbefore its second extension period on Jan. 15.<\/p>\n
"By that time, if our offers are ignored then we will use all
\nresources in the country to reinstate the functions this unitary
\nstate used to play in the territory," he said.<\/p>\n
He said the decision was taken in a meeting between state
\nofficials in charge of security at the vice presidential palace
\non Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Social Affairs and
\nSecurity Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian Military (TNI)
\nchief Adm. Widodo AS, the three armed forces chiefs and National
\nPolice chief attended the meeting presided over by Vice President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
"The pause can be halted unilaterally before time if GAM fails
\nto show good intention to negotiate and refuses to touch the
\nsubstantial matters of solutions to Aceh's problems," Mahfud
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Violence has not stopped since the humanitarian pause took
\neffect in June.<\/p>\n
The government has offered special autonomy status for Aceh
\nand Irian Jaya, another resource rich, restive province, to deal
\nwith persistent demands for independence.<\/p>\n
New rally<\/p>\n
After a mass rally in support of independence in Banda Aceh
\nalmost three weeks ago, another event, called the International
\nSolidarity on Aceh Human Rights Violation Week (Persikab HAM
\nAceh) is slated to take place here from Dec. 4 to Dec. 10.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the organizer of the Nov. 11 Mass Gathering for
\nPeace (SIRA RAKAN) Muhammad Taufik Abda said here on Friday that
\nall Acehnese people were expected to join the event, but he could
\nnot say what kind of event it would be and where it would be
\nheld.<\/p>\n
Taufik said the event was meant to be the substitute to a
\nplanned mass strike, scheduled to take place from Nov. 27 to Dec.
\n3, 2000.<\/p>\n
"The activity is expected to bolster solidarity among the
\nAcehnese, and to draw world attention and humanitarian aid to
\ncreate peace and uphold democracy and human rights in Aceh."<\/p>\n
If the event does take place, the province will be very busy
\nas the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) plans to commemorate its
\nanniversary on Dec. 4.<\/p>\n
Observers speculated that SIRA RAKAN and GAM engineered the
\nactivities in such a way that GAM's request for the delay in
\nfurther talks with the Indonesian government looked reasonable.<\/p>\n
The talks were scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on
\nDec. 5 and Dec. 6, but GAM wants to delay from Dec. 10 to Dec.
\n15, on the grounds that it would be impossible for GAM officials
\nto be in Geneva on Dec. 5, while they were still in Aceh on Dec.
\n4 for the GAM anniversary.<\/p>\n
Both GAM and SIRA RAKAN have claimed that they do not have any
\n(political) links.<\/p>\n
Taufik said detailed plans on the Persikab HAM Aceh would be
\nannounced on Dec. 3 after consulting several non-governmental
\norganizations abroad.<\/p>\n
Speaking about fighting between GAM members and soldiers,
\nTaufik said that both GAM and the military should respect the
\nholy month of Ramadhan. He wants the violence to be stopped,
\nespecially during the fasting month.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the fighting continues, five rebels were killed in
\noperations in Seulimeum area in Aceh Besar regency on Thursday,
\nPolice Special Operation Cinta Meunasah deputy spokesman Supt.
\nYatim Suyatmo said on Friday. (50\/bby\/dja\/lup)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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