Journalists demand release of civilian hostages in Aceh<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Dozens of journalists rallied in front of the office of
\nCoordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs on
\nTuesday to demand the government's intervention in the efforts to
\nrelease civilians who have been held hostage by Aceh rebels for
\nfour months.<\/p>\n
The journalists said the government should share the burden of
\nthe prolonged plight experienced by the hostages, including
\nErsa Siregar and Ferry Santoro from the RCTI television channel,
\nwho are currently being hold hostage by the separatist Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM).<\/p>\n
"The government is responsible for civilian protection in
\nAceh, and we hope that Ersa and Ferry can be reunited with their
\nfamilies before Idul Fitri," Budiono of Metro TV said.<\/p>\n
Ishak Zubaedy Raqib from Yogyakarta-based Kedaulatan Rakyat
\ndaily newspaper said the ongoing policy in Aceh would be
\nworthless in the view of national and international communities
\nif civilians, including journalists, were being sacrificed by
\nwhat the military calls its military operations.<\/p>\n
Ersa, Ferry and dozens of Acehnese, including the wives of two
\nTNI officers -- Cut Farida and her sister Cut Soraya -- were
\ncaptured by GAM fighters in Peureulak in East Aceh on their way
\nback from a refugee camp in North Aceh on June 29.<\/p>\n
The rebels accused them of espionage, but later, after
\ninterrogating them, declared them clear of the allegation.<\/p>\n
The GAM members have demanded a ceasefire to allow for a safe
\nrelease of the civilians, but the Indonesian Military has
\nrejected the terms.<\/p>\n
Humanitarian workers from the Indonesian Red Cross have
\nseveral times tried to mediate the negotiations to release the
\nhostages, but it has always ended up in a deadlock.<\/p>\n
Budiono, the spokesman for the journalists, suggested that the
\ngovernment consider a peaceful effort to free the hostages.<\/p>\n
Deputy to the coordinating minister, Insp. Gen. Alex Bambang
\nRiatmodjo, said the government was facing difficulties to release
\nthe hostages as the whereabouts of the civilians was unknown.<\/p>\n
Alex said the military authorities in Aceh were continuing
\nefforts to release the hostages.<\/p>\n
"But it requires thorough preparations, including knowledge
\nabout the strength of GAM members and the definite hiding place
\nof these hostages." he said.<\/p>\n
"I realize that Aceh province is a vast territory. It is twice
\nas big as East Java province and we have difficulties detecting
\nGAM's camps where Ersa, Ferry and other civilian hostages are
\ncurrently being held," Alex said.<\/p>\n
The journalists questioned the TNI's intelligence.<\/p>\n
"What we are asking for is not a rescue through a military
\noperation because it will be too risky for the hostages who may
\nbe harmed during the gunfight with GAM members," Budiono said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/journalists-demand-release-of-civilian-hostages-in-aceh-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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