Rogue forces exacerbate tension in Aceh<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A member of the Indonesian Military\/National
\nPolice faction in the Aceh provincial council said rogue forces
\nin the province had exacerbated tensions between security forces
\nand separatist rebels.<\/p>\n
The spokesman of the TNI\/National Police faction, Col.
\nMuhammad Hadis, said in Banda Aceh on Tuesday numerous parties
\nwere exploiting the conflict for their personal interests.<\/p>\n
\"They are ex-convicts and dismissed TNI or police personnel.
\nThey intimidate, kidnap, murder and rob people,\" Muhammad told
\ncouncillors during a session that also was attended by Governor
\nAbdullah Puteh.<\/p>\n
In the last three years, these people may have stolen hundreds
\nof millions of rupiah from people in the province, Muhammad said.<\/p>\n
\"Hundreds of motorcycles and cars owned by the people and the
\ngovernment, and also a number of mobile phones, have also been
\ntaken by force,\" Muhammad said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Muhammad, a former Banda Aceh Military District commander,
\nurged security forces and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to
\ncooperate to catch these rouge forces, who often pose as security
\nofficials and GAM members.<\/p>\n
Separately on Tuesday, an Aceh-based alliance of non-
\ngovernmental organizations said it planned to send a delegation
\nto the annual session of the United Nations Human Rights
\nCommission in Geneva, Switzerland, next month. The delegation
\nwill ask the International Court to take legal measures against
\nthose who have violated human rights in Aceh.<\/p>\n
The alliance's spokesman, Maimul Fidar, said the delegation
\nwould deliver a report on the behavior and policies of Aceh
\nPolice chief Brig. Gen. Chairul Rasjidi and his personnel.<\/p>\n
Maimul said the police were guilty of crimes against humanity
\nbecause of the major role they played in the violence in Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"Ever since their operations began during the negotiations
\nbetween the Indonesian government and GAM, the situation in Aceh
\nhas deteriorated,\" Maimul said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Deaths<\/p>\n
Separately, at least seven people, one of them a soldier, have
\nbeen killed in separate incidents over the past two days.<\/p>\n
North Aceh Police spokesman Adj. Comr. Abdi Darmawan said GAM
\nrebels attacked a car carrying soldiers in Padang Sakti village,
\nnear oil company Exxon Mobil's gas refinery in Lhokseumawe. The
\nattack occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Monday.<\/p>\n
Sergeant Abu Bakar was killed in the attack, while six
\nsoldiers were wounded.<\/p>\n
\"In the 20-minute shoot-out, Abu was killed while six other
\nTNI members were critically wounded,\" Abdi said.<\/p>\n
GAM spokesman Abu Sofyan Daud admitted that rebel forces were
\nresponsible for the attack, but he said they thought the soldiers
\nwere thieves who were stealing their car.<\/p>\n
Abdi also said another clash took place on Monday afternoon in
\nBlang Mee, Bireun regency, leaving five soldiers injured.<\/p>\n
A third incident on Monday in Pidie regency resulted in the
\ndeath of a teenager, identified as Husaini Hanafiah, 18, who
\npolice claim was a GAM rebel.<\/p>\n
Pidie Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Heru Budi Ersanto said
\nMobile Brigade officers carrying out inspections in Simpang
\nGeumpung village shot the young man when he attempted to flee.<\/p>\n
The GAM spokesman in Pidie, Abu Razak, maintained that Husaini
\nwas a civilian and not a member of GAM.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile on Tuesday, five people were found dead in separate
\nlocations in East Aceh. The victims had bullet and stab wounds.<\/p>\n
Two bodies were found dead in a ditch in the town of Langsa,
\nwhile three bodies were found in Bireun village.<\/p>\n
A member of the board of non-governmental organization
\nSolidarity for Victims of Human Rights Violations, Mohamad Yusuf,
\nsaid all of the victims had been missing since Monday night.<\/p>\n
All five were civilians.<\/p>\n
In a separate development, state-owned oil company Pertamina
\ncut its oil supply to North Aceh on Monday.<\/p>\n
North Aceh Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wanto Sumardi said on
\nTuesday someone claiming to be from GAM telephoned a threat to
\nPertamina. The unidentified called demanded Rp 1.5 billion
\n(US$157,894) from the company.<\/p>\n
Pertamina has not commented on the threat.<\/p>\n
Pertamina's oil supply to Lhokseumawe on Tuesday afternoon was
\ndelivered under tight security. From Lhokseumawe, the oil will be
\ndistributed to other areas in North Aceh.<\/p>\n
GAM spokesman Abu Sofyan Daud has denied any threats against
\nthe oil company, describing the story as a lie. He also said that
\nif the police uncovered the identity of the caller, they should
\ninform GAM so they could take action.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Jakarta, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono
\nSutarto said on Tuesday he would not object to withdrawing his
\ntroops from the province if there was an honest demand from the
\npeople of Aceh.<\/p>\n
However, he asserted that such a withdrawal must have a
\npositive impact on the security situation in the province.<\/p>\n
\"I don't mind withdrawing my troops if I receive a guarantee
\nthat it will lead to improved circumstances for the Acehnese. But
\nif the withdrawal will only worsen the situation, I will maintain
\nthe troops since their presence there is for the people,\"
\nEndriartono said.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military reportedly has deployed around 30,000
\npersonnel to the province. (02\/50\/hdn)<\/p>",
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