Habibie says Aceh referendum impossible<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Aceh students demonstrated in Banda Aceh on
\nMonday, demanding a referendum to determine their own future,
\nwhile President B.J. Habibie here flatly denied this was
\npossible.<\/p>\n
The President also said the reestablishment of the military
\ncommand scheduled for Wednesday would be postponed.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense and Security\/Indonesian Military (TNI)
\nChief Gen. Wiranto confirmed later on Monday that the government
\nhad agreed to delay the reestablishment of Iskandar Muda Military
\nCommand in response to \"people's aspiration.\"<\/p>\n
The general said the government actually had agreed to reopen
\nthe military command based on the request of local authorities
\nand its provincial legislative council.<\/p>\n
\"We will let (the reopening) be decided by the new DPRD
\n(provincial council),\" Wiranto said after attending the Council
\nfor Enforcement of Security and Law at Bina Graha presidential
\noffice.<\/p>\n
A cabinet meeting, chaired by Habibie, had decided last week
\nto reopen the military command despite strong opposition from
\nulema and students, saying it would only add people's suffering.<\/p>\n
In Banda Aceh, as East Timorese cast their votes in a number
\nof towns across the country, some 500 Acehnese students marched
\nto the local legislature, repeating demands for a referendum to
\nenable Acehnese to also decide whether to remain within Indonesia
\nor become independent.<\/p>\n
Demonstrators occupied the building for two hours before
\ndispersing peacefully without interference from riot troops, who
\nthey confronted in a rally on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta Habibie ruled out the possibility of a referendum.<\/p>\n
\"There will be no referendum there this year, in the next five
\nyears or even the next ten years,\" chairman of the National
\nMandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais quoted Habibie as saying during a
\nmeeting with seven leading political parties.<\/p>\n
After the meeting Habibie was also quoted as saying by an
\nofficial from PAN's Aceh chapter, A. Farhan, that he would
\npostpone the reestablishment of the Iskandar Muda Command set for
\nSept. 1, \"both in his capacity as President and commander in
\nchief of the armed forces\".<\/p>\n
The students in Monday's demonstrations also demanded the
\nwithdrawal of all troops and soldiers from remote villages, and
\nthe trial of those involved in military atrocities since 1989,
\nwhen the military operation against separatists began.<\/p>\n
Ministers visiting Aceh on Saturday were also reminded of
\nHabibie's promise to end violence and bring justice to the
\nAcehnese.<\/p>\n
At the meeting with Habibie, Farhan said the leaders of the
\nseven parties agreed that the establishment of the military
\ncommand was not yet necessary and should be discussed further by
\nthe President and the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
He said the parties suggested that the task of maintaining
\nsecurity in Aceh be entrusted to the National Police.<\/p>\n
The other parties attending the meeting were the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP), the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan), the Golkar Party, the Islamic
\nCommunity Party (PUI), the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and the
\nJustice Party.<\/p>\n
Police in Aceh are now in charge of special operations against
\nrebels.<\/p>\n
Also on Monday, Antara reported that 12,000 hectares of shrimp
\nand fish ponds had been neglected in Pidie, North Aceh and East
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
The head of the provincial fisheries agency, Kasbani Kasim,
\nsaid in Banda Aceh on Monday that owners were suffering great
\nlosses because of the lack of security there.<\/p>\n
Thousands of workers have been forced to seek other work.<\/p>\n
\"Shrimps are a major export to Malaysia and Singapore through
\nBelawan Port in North Sumatra, which yields Rp 10 billion each
\nyear in foreign exchange,\" Kasbani said.<\/p>\n
The fear increased when a number of fishery owners and workers
\nbecame victims of separate killings by unknown people, an owner,
\nM. Yusuf, said. (prb\/anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/habibie-says-aceh-referendum-impossible-1447893297",
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