Martial law authorities delay move of GAM prisoners to Java<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh\/Semarang\/Denpasar<\/p>\n
The martial law administration in Aceh announced on Tuesday a
\ndelay in the transfer of 143 Free Aceh Movement (GAM) prisoners
\nto Central Java, citing transportation problems.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the martial law administration Col. Ditya
\nSudarsono said the Air Force, which had earlier promised to
\nprovide a Hercules airplane, failed to confirm its commitment
\nuntil the last minute.<\/p>\n
The first batch of 89 convicted rebels would have to leave
\nAceh for Java on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"We may be unable to transport the prisoners by air and will
\nuse Navy ships instead. The ships are now heading for Aceh
\ncarrying armored personnel vehicles,\" Ditya said.<\/p>\n
He was referring to KRI Gilimanuk and KR Sabang ships which
\nleft Tanjung Priok seaport on Monday for Banda Aceh.<\/p>\n
Since martial law began in May 2003, the military has captured
\n1,553 rebels, 756 of them have been sentenced.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, hundreds of Raider combat troops were dispatched to
\nAceh on Tuesday to replace existing troops fighting rebels in the
\nprovince since martial law commenced last May.<\/p>\n
Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Supiadin YAS sent off a
\nbattalion of Raiders from Benoa seaport, charged with finding and
\nneutralizing Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels.<\/p>\n
The battalion comprises 747 soldiers, divided into 29 combat
\nplatoons. It completed a special six-month long training course
\nin Batujajar, West Java, with nine other battalions from regional
\nmilitary commands countrywide.<\/p>\n
\"They (the Raiders) have the ability to move undetected into
\nGAM areas and launch sudden attacks that will inflict significant
\ndamage on the enemy,\" Supiadin said.<\/p>\n
Navy landing ship KRI Teluk Langsa will take the soldiers to
\nAceh in seven days.<\/p>\n
Hugs and tears marked the farewell for the troops from their
\nfamilies and relatives.<\/p>\n
\"We have only been married for two months,\" a soldier's wife
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"I will not wash this handkerchief,\" a young woman said,
\nreferring to the hanky her boyfriend, a soldier, had used to
\nwipe the tears from her face.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Semarang, Army Strategic Reserve Command chief
\nLt. Gen. Bibit Waluyo sent off another battalion of Raiders from
\nTanjung Mas seaport.<\/p>\n
It was the second Aceh stint for the 747 soldiers after the
\nmission in April last year. They had returned to Java for a six-
\nmonth training in Cilacap, Central Java, which concluded in
\nDecember.<\/p>\n
They head for Aceh using Navy warship KRI Teluk Kao 504. In
\nAceh they will be posted in Pidie and East Aceh, areas known for
\nbeing rebel strongholds.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/martial-law-authorities-delay-move-of-gam-prisoners-to-java-1447893297",
"image": ""
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