Security concerns cast doubt over Gus Dur's Aceh visit<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): While President Abdurrahman Wahid's plan to
\nvisit Australia next month is going full steam ahead, a much
\nshorter trip to the restive province of Aceh has become
\nincreasingly in doubt.<\/p>\n
Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said on Thursday the decision to
\ngo ahead with the trip to Aceh, scheduled for Tuesday, would
\ndepend on the assessment of the local situation from the
\nprovince's governor.<\/p>\n
Presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar also said there were
\nongoing consultations between presidential aides and the local
\nadministration in Aceh to decide on whether the trip should still
\ntake place.<\/p>\n
However, palace sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
\nhave revealed Abdurrahman's trip to the volatile province might
\nbe called off for security reasons.<\/p>\n
Despite talks between the government and separatists from the
\nFree Aceh Movement (GAM), the situation has deteriorated to the
\nextent that the government has decided to launch a limited
\nmilitary operation in the province.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week helicopters carrying the entourage of
\nMinister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro were
\nshot at during a visit to the ExxonMobil sites in Aceh which have
\nsuspended operations due to the security situation.<\/p>\n
No one was hurt in the attack.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. said on Thursday that the
\ngovernment was still \"conducting intelligence operations there\".<\/p>\n
\"We will not make a public announcement on when the military
\noperation will begin for tactical and strategic reasons,\" Mahfud
\ntold journalists.<\/p>\n
Mahfud also revealed that the government would consider
\nan amnesty for GAM members who surrender.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere preparations were underway.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, East Java Military Command spokesman Lt. Col.
\nDjoko Agus said that as many as 1,300 personnel have been sent to
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
\"About 650 personnel of Infantry Battalion 516, 390 personnel
\nfrom Infantry Battalion 507 and the rest, from Battalions 511 and
\n512 have been sent,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"They have been trained at the Army's Special Force (Kopassus)
\ntraining ground in Batu Jajar, West Java,\" Djoko said.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Navy commander Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono on
\nThursday also confirmed that marines were being prepared to be
\ndeployed in Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"We are waiting for instructions from the National Military
\nHeadquarters to send them,\" he said without revealing the number
\nof marines to be deployed.<\/p>\n
\"All Navy personnel are ready to defend the unitary state
\nwherever and whenever,\" Indroko asserted after inaugurating a
\nMarine Trooper Force and Independent Marine Brigade in
\nKarangpilang, East Java.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Aceh, violence wreaked havoc in the newly
\nestablished Security Zones in North Aceh.<\/p>\n
In North Aceh, the Syamtalira Arun Police subprecint came
\nunder mortar attack at around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
However, spokesman of Cinta Meunasah II operation Adj. Sr.
\nComr. Harunantyo told The Jakarta Post by phone from Banda Aceh
\nthat the subprecint was not damaged, but a mortar hit a small
\nmosque near the post.<\/p>\n
\"The incident was proof that GAM does not stick to the
\nagreement on the security zones. This is very tiring. We tried to
\nbe cooperative but if they continue to attack we will have no
\nchoice but to quell them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Atjeh-Sumatra National Liberation Front accused
\nthe Indonesian government of being insincere in implementing the
\npeace zones agreed by the government and GAM.<\/p>\n
\"On the first day, there are already reports of violations
\ncommitted by Indonesian security forces. We understand this is a
\nlure to attract our soldiers to retaliate so that they can break
\nthe truce and initiate what they call a Measured and Limited
\nMilitary Operation,\" the Liberation Front said in a statement
\nsigned by spokesperson Abu Isnandar. (02\/sur\/nur\/edt\/byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-concerns-cast-doubt-over-gus-durs-aceh-visit-1447893297",
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