RI presents 'proof' linking GAM leaders to terrorism<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government team sent to Sweden to secure that country's
\ncooperation in the war against GAM has handed over evidence to
\nthe Swedish government which its claims proves that Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM) leaders in Sweden are involved in separatist and
\nterror acts in Aceh.<\/p>\n
In a series of meetings with Swedish government officials on
\nTuesday, the Indonesian team, led by President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri's Special Envoy Ali Alatas, presented their
\nevidence to persuade Stockholm to take action against the GAM
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
"In Indonesia's view, these men are leading, instigating and
\ncommanding an armed rebellion in Aceh," Ali said during a joint
\npress conference after meeting with Swedish foreign affairs
\nminister Anna Lindh.<\/p>\n
He further said that he had handed over "proof of the links
\nbetween Free Aceh Movement (GAM) representatives in Sweden and
\nterrorist acts committed by rebels in (Aceh and) Indonesia."<\/p>\n
Lindh said that the Swedish authorities would further study
\nthe evidence before responding to Indonesia's request.<\/p>\n
"The authorities will take measures if Swedish laws have been
\ninfringed," she said.<\/p>\n
When asked whether legal action would be taken against the
\nexiled GAM leaders, the minister said that the evidence should be
\nstudied first and stressed that any action against GAM leaders
\nwould be decided on by the authorized agency and not by the
\nSwedish government.<\/p>\n
She insisted, however, that the Swedish government recognized
\nIndonesia's sovereignty over Aceh.<\/p>\n
Alatas' team is the fourth delegation the Indonesian
\ngovernment has sent to Sweden since 2000 to convince the Swedish
\ngovernment to take action against the GAM leaders.<\/p>\n
GAM leaders who have been living in that country for years and
\nobtained Swedish citizenship include Hasan Tiro, Zaini Abdullah
\nand Malik Mahmood. GAM recognizes Tiro as the president of Aceh,
\nZaini as foreign minister and Malik as prime minister.<\/p>\n
So far, the Swedish government has taken no action against the
\nexiled GAM leaders as they have done nothing to violate Swedish
\nlaw.<\/p>\n
Jakarta has been considering downgrading diplomatic ties with
\nSweden should the latest mission fail to secure a satisfactory
\noutcome from Indonesia's point of view.<\/p>\n
The mission to Sweden is part of the government's efforts to
\ncrush the separatist movement in the province. The government
\nimposed martial law and launched a major military offensive there
\non May 19.<\/p>\n
Entering the fourth week of the offensive, more than 160
\nrebels and 23 security personnel, including policemen, have been
\nkilled. In addition, some 500 schools have been torched and more
\nthan 22,000 Acehnese civilians forced to flee their villages,
\naccording to latest government figures.<\/p>\n
Last Wednesday, a German tourist was shot dead and his wife
\ninjured in Aceh. The couple were camping on a beach in Lhok Gayo,
\nTeunom District, Aceh Jaya regency.<\/p>\n
The government is also considering an attempt to have GAM
\nincluded on the United Nations' list of terrorist organizations
\nunder UN Resolution 1373\/2000 so as to win the international
\ncommunity's support for the war against the separatist movement.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the government team is scheduled to meet with
\nofficials of the Swedish attorney general's office.<\/p>\n
A meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson is not yet
\non the cards.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-presents-proof-linking-gam-leaders-to-terrorism-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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