Peace zone proposed in Aceh<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya<\/p>\n
After almost four months of rigorous debate over the terms of
\nrelease for civilians held hostage by Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
\nrebels, the Indonesian Military (TNI) proposed a battle-free zone
\nto allow the separatists to transfer the hostages safely.<\/p>\n
The rebels had demanded a seven-day cease fire, fearing that
\nTNI troops would intercept them shortly after the release of the
\nhostages. TNI rejected the demand.<\/p>\n
The TNI's proposal came amid reports that hostages were
\nsuffering from serious illness and depression, as GAM members had
\nbeen moving them from one place to another in a bid to avoid
\nclashes with the government troops.<\/p>\n
TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said on Friday the
\nproposal required a cease fire during the transfer of the
\nhostages.<\/p>\n
\"I think our proposal is the best way to save the lives of
\nthese civilian hostages, if they (GAM), are concerned about the
\nsafety of the hostages,\" Sjafrie told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Ersa Siregar and Ferry Santoro, both crew members of private
\ntelevision channel RCTI, along with dozens of Acehnese, including
\nthe wives of two TNI officers -- Cut Farida and her sister Cut
\nSoraya -- have been held hostage since GAM fighters intercepted
\nthem in Peureulak in East Aceh on their way back from a refugee
\ncamp in Langsa, to Lhokseumawe in North Aceh on June 29.<\/p>\n
The rebels had accused them of espionage, but later, after
\ninterrogating them, declared them clear of the allegation.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie expressed doubt that the rebels would comply with the
\nTNI's proposal.<\/p>\n
\"It is too risky for our troops because they could be killed
\nwithout the chance to put up a fight,\" Sjafrie said.<\/p>\n
Ishak Daud, the GAM commander overseeing East Aceh territory
\nwho has claimed responsibility for the capture of the civilians,
\nrecently spelled out the conditions for the release of the
\nhostages, including a seven-day cease fire and exclusion of the
\nmilitary. Ishak also asked security authorities in Nanggroe Aceh
\nDarussalam not to interrogate nor prosecute Ersa and Ferry.<\/p>\n
The TNI had insisted that it would be involved in the process
\nof transferring the hostages -- which would be conducted by the
\nIndonesian Red Cross (PMI) -- saying it would provide security
\nfor the humanitarian workers.<\/p>\n
\"GAM does not need to bring the hostages from their base to an
\nopen place. They just have to choose a certain area to release
\nthe hostages and we'll pick them up. There will be no fire from
\nthe troops as the hostages will walk close to us,\" Sjafrie said,
\nreferring to the process observed in the release of American
\njournalist William Nessen in Nissam area in North Aceh.<\/p>\n
One of the captives, Cut Farida, told the Post by phone from
\nan undisclosed area in East Aceh on Friday, that her younger
\nsister was suffering from depression.<\/p>\n
\"Sometimes I have witnessed her talking to herself, as though
\nthere is someone else with her,\" Farida described her sister's
\ncondition.<\/p>\n
Soraya was in the early months of pregnancy when the GAM
\nrebels captured her.<\/p>\n
According to Farida, over the past two weeks government troops
\nhad launched intensive operations around the area where the
\nhostages were being held. The operations often lasted from the
\nmiddle of the night until the early hours of the morning and GAM
\nhad to evacuate hostages to a safe place every time the armed
\nclashes occurred.<\/p>\n
\"I am exhausted and frightened, so is my sister. We have to be
\nmoved... and walk through the forest and over hills for about 30
\nkilometers each day,\" Farida said during the phone conversation.<\/p>\n
\"We could also be killed during these clashes.\"<\/p>\n
Ersa, who could not be contacted, had reportedly suffered from
\na serious illness and was in a critical condition, according to
\nIshak.<\/p>\n
\"Last night he coughed blood. He is very sick and it seems
\nimpossible for us to force him to move from one place to another.
\nTo save lives, I think the military has to take our demand for a
\ncease fire into consideration,\" Ishak said, also by phone.<\/p>\n
He said it would take some days to bring the hostages out from
\ntheir current location.<\/p>\n
\"And I don't want to sacrifice my soldiers during the
\nrelease,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/peace-zone-proposed-in-aceh-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}