TNI to send troops to Aceh for rebuilding<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military (TNI) is preparing to deploy 15
\nbattalions of troops to speed up reconstruction efforts in
\ntsunami-hit Aceh.<\/p>\n
TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Thursday the head
\nof the Aceh and Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency
\n(BRR), Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, had requested assistance from the
\nmilitary.<\/p>\n
Soldiers will focus on reconstruction work in remote areas
\nthat civilian contractors cannot reach, according to Endriartono.<\/p>\n
\"If the agency has no other choice but to ask for military
\nhelp to carry out reconstruction then we will help, on the
\ncondition that (the BRR) provide the funds to mobilize the
\ntroops,\" Endriartono said.<\/p>\n
This announcement comes as the TNI completes a major
\nwithdrawal of combat troops from the province, in line with a
\npeace deal signed in August. The Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
\nrecently completed its disarmament, which was also a key part of
\nthe peace agreement.<\/p>\n
The Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) announced on Wednesday the
\ncompletion of GAM's disarmament, with 1,042 weapons surrendered
\nby the former rebels. The TNI has so far withdrawn nearly 20,000
\ntroops from Aceh, with a final 4,000 soldiers scheduled to depart
\nthe province before the end of the month.<\/p>\n
Endriartono said the battalions to be deployed to Aceh as part
\nof the reconstruction effort would come from the Army's logistics
\ndivision. One battalion consists of between 700 and 1,000
\npersonnel.<\/p>\n
\"TNI Headquarters is now defining the framework for the
\nproject, while the Army will prepare the human resources and the
\nnecessary equipment to assist the BRR,\" Endriartono said.<\/p>\n
He was speaking following a coordination meeting on the TNI's
\nplanned non-military missions next year in areas across the
\ncountry, including Aceh.<\/p>\n
In 2005, the TNI took part in the construction of bridges in
\nAceh that were damaged or destroyed by the Dec. 26, 2004,
\ntsunami. The military also reconstructed the main road linking
\nthe provincial capital Banda Aceh and Meulaboh.<\/p>\n
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso said the deployment of
\ntroops to Aceh for reconstruction work was just waiting for the
\nofficial green light.<\/p>\n
\"Of course we will coordinate with the BRR, especially in
\ndetermining what work we will undertake. We are ready to carry
\nout the work,\" Djoko said.<\/p>\n
However, GAM spokesman Bakhtiar Abdullah questioned the
\ndeployment, saying there were lots of Acehnese and former
\nguerrillas ready to help the BRR carry out construction in the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
\"In this post-conflict situation, it would be better to avoid
\nany policy that could rekindle the trauma of the Aceh people.
\nThis redeployment, if it materializes, will remind the Acehnese
\nof their past traumas.<\/p>\n
The peace accord signed by both the Indonesian government and
\nGAM requires the military to reduce the number of its troops (in
\nthe province) to 14,700.<\/p>\n
\"The planned mobilization goes against the peace agreement,\"
\nBakhtiar told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He said he would file a complaint with the AMM over the plan.<\/p>\n
Several non-governmental organizations grouped under the Aceh
\nWorking Group also criticized the plan.<\/p>\n
\"Why doesn't the BRR ask professionals to carry out the work?
\nAny project involving the military should be seen as the
\ndisbursement of large amounts of funds without transparency,\"
\nChoirul Anam of Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial) said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-to-send-troops-to-aceh-for-rebuilding-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}