Release of hostages<\/p>\n
The separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) released 22 hostages
\non Saturday and four more hostages on Sunday, including private
\nIndonesian television station, RCTI cameramen Fery Santoro.<\/p>\n
The hostage taking became a dramatic and tragic story, after
\none of the hostages held by the rebels, RCTI reporter Sory Ersa
\nSiregar, was slain in a clash between Indonesian Military (TNI)
\npersonnel and rebels in East Aceh on Dec. 29 last year.<\/p>\n
We appreciate the efforts made by the Indonesian Red Cross
\n(PMI), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and a
\nGAM lawyer in mediating the release of the civilians.<\/p>\n
We also express our gratitude to the GAM for understanding
\nthat civilians should not be involved in any armed conflict.<\/p>\n
The release of the hostages should make the TNI and GAM aware
\nof the wrongdoings they have committed in the conflict.
\nThe two groups have killed so many people from the time of the
\nNew Order administration until the current reform government.<\/p>\n
It is high time for us to rebuild Aceh and save its people
\nfrom further destruction. Oil-rich Aceh should experience
\ndevelopment, not deterioration, for the sake of its people. --
\nMedia Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/release-of-hostages-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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