RI-GAM peace talks may end in deadlock<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Entering a third day on Wednesday,
\ntalks between representatives of the Indonesian government and
\nthe Free Aceh Movement (GAM) appeared to be heading toward a
\ndeadlock.<\/p>\n
A reliable source told The Jakarta Post that as of Wednesday
\nafternoon the meeting, which took place at Kuala Tripa Hotel
\nhere, failed to reach agreement on the steering committee that
\nwas expected to further facilitate political dialog involving the
\nAcehnese community.<\/p>\n
Previously both sides agreed to set up a new Joint Committee
\non Democracy Council (KBKD) that would identify a proper format
\nfor a peaceful solution to problems in Aceh.<\/p>\n
The source said the government, represented by Sr. Comr.
\nRidhwan Karim, revealed on Wednesday afternoon that the formation
\nof the steering committee had been entrusted to the KBKD, but GAM
\ninsisted that the appointment of a steering committee must be
\ndone through the Joint Committee on Security Affairs (KBMK).<\/p>\n
The government rejected GAM's suggestion as the Joint
\nCommittee on Security Affairs has been suspended since July 5.<\/p>\n
The government has named three representatives for the joint
\ndemocracy council, namely officer Ridhwan, Col. Johan Basar of
\nthe Indonesian Military and a civilian figure named Syarifuddin
\nLatif, the source further said.<\/p>\n
When asked about the matter by the Post, GAM spokesman in the
\ntalks, Amni Ahmad Marzuki, refused to comment.<\/p>\n
\"The meeting is not over yet. We will make a statement once it
\nis clear,\" Amni said.<\/p>\n
In a fresh outbreak of violence, at least seven people were
\nkilled in a series of incidents in Aceh on Tuesday, officials and
\nhumanitarian activists said.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman for Aceh Law and Order
\nOperation Lt. Col. Firdaus said that four of the seven fatalities
\nwere identified as GAM rebels.<\/p>\n
The four rebels died in separate clashes with security forces
\nin three locations, namely East Aceh, Aceh Besar and South Aceh,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Among the four killed was Yusuf Kontrek, a known GAM commander
\nin Tamiang. Yusuf died in a gunfight in East Aceh.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, three civilians were killed in two separate
\nincidents in South Aceh and North Aceh.<\/p>\n
Officials said the victims were shot dead by rebels. Among the
\ncivilian fatalities was Teuku Cut Husin, a village chief who was
\nshot dead at his house in Bineh Krueng village in Tangan-Tangan
\ndistrict, South Aceh.<\/p>\n
GAM spokesman in Banda Aceh, Ayah Sofyan, admitted that one of
\nhis men was killed in a gunfight with security forces near Sultan
\nIskandar Muda Airport on Tuesday, but charged that the remaining
\ncasualties were civilians killed by the military.
\n(50\/edt)<\/p>",
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