Military tells GAM to avoid celebrations<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Medan\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has warned former Aceh combatants
\nagainst celebrating the anniversary of their organization, saying
\nit would not be in accordance with the spirit of the peace
\nagreement they signed in August.<\/p>\n
Aceh military commander Maj. Gen. Supiadin Adi Saputra said in
\nMedan on Monday that the plan to hold the celebration would
\nreflect the former rebels' half-hearted acceptance of the peace
\ndeal, which requires them to drop their long-held demand for
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
Supiadin said the plan was discussed during a regular meeting
\nwith representatives of the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) and
\nFree Aceh Movement (GAM), in which he expressed his objections.<\/p>\n
"TNI has no right to ban GAM from organizing the celebration,
\nbut I hope they reconsider it. If it involves the institution,
\nthen the independence demand is still in their minds," Supiadin
\nsaid on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the induction of new
\nBukit Barisan Military commander Maj. Gen. Liliek AS Sumaryo, who
\nreplaces Maj. Gen. Tri Tamtomo.<\/p>\n
Visiting GAM leader Bakhtiar Abdullah said the celebration
\nwould go ahead as scheduled on Sunday, and top brass from the
\norganization were still discussing the format of the event.<\/p>\n
A group of Acehnese led by Hassan Tiro founded GAM and
\ndeclared their fight for an independent state on Dec. 4, 1976.<\/p>\n
"The celebration will not go against the peace agreement.
\nInstead we will promote peace and call on GAM members to show
\ntheir commitment to the agreement during the event," Bakhtiar, a
\nGAM leader in exile, said by phone.<\/p>\n
He said no Indonesian institution was authorized to ban the
\ncelebration as GAM were no longer waging a campaign for an
\nindependent state.<\/p>\n
GAM leaders will decide whether the celebration will take
\nplace in Banda Aceh or simultaneously across the province,
\naccording to Bakhtiar.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, the House of Representatives and the government
\nagreed that GAM was not allowed to celebrate its anniversary if
\nit involved flag raisings or displays of its symbols.<\/p>\n
"Any celebration that bears GAM properties, such as flags or
\nsymbols, is strictly forbidden, particularly if they raise the
\nspirit of separatism," said Coordinating Minister for Politics,
\nLegal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto said during a
\nhearing with the House's Commission I on defense on Monday.<\/p>\n
In their conclusion, the lawmakers suggested that the
\ngovernment ban any celebration of GAM's anniversary on the
\ngrounds that it would reignite the spirit of separatism.<\/p>\n
Widodo also insisted that GAM submit the names of some 3,000
\nformer combatants for administrative purposes before the
\ngovernment disburses Rp 1 million (US$100) in monthly allowances
\nfor each of them, starting in January. The assistance is being
\ngiven to help them reintegrate into society, as stipulated in the
\nHelsinki peace agreement.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/military-tells-gam-to-avoid-celebrations-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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