10 die ahead of Gus Dur's visit to Aceh
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): An ominous specter of violence looms ahead of President Abdurrahman Wahid's visit here on Tuesday, as at least 10 people died in separate incidents across the province over the weekend.
A worker with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in Bireuen, Marzuki Hasan said five unidentified bodies were found lying on a road in Blang Kubu, Peudada district on Saturday.
The bodies which bore shotgun wounds to their heads have been taken to Bireuen General Hospital.
In South Aceh, another PMI worker-activist, Risman said another four bodies were found in separate locations in the regency.
Two, identified as Yusli bin Muhammad Kiri and Zammur bin Rais, were found in a ravine in Batu Itam village, Tapaktuan district.
The other two, still unidentified, were found in a gorge in Alue Meutuha village, Meukek district.
Another casualty was coffee stall owner Iskandar Abbas who was found dead from bullet wounds at his stall in Meulayu village, Kuta Baro district, in Aceh Besar, some one kilometer away from Sultan Iskandarmuda airport.
His body was found shortly after a gunfight between police and rebels of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), an official with the Zainoel Abidin General Hospital morgue, Abdullah, said.
Security forces have been on high alert in anticipation of the President's visit.
Local activists have also warned the President to reconsider his decision to visit the troubled province over fears of violence.
On Thursday, some 2,000 soldiers were dispatched from Jakarta to conduct a humanitarian mission in Aceh following floods and landslides earlier this month. However the troops would also be tasked with maintaining security in the territory.
At least 850 people, including 129 security officers and 42 GAM rebels, have been killed in various clashes and violence this year.
The Indonesian government and GAM representatives signed in May signed an accord, dubbed the Humanitarian Pause, however it has largely failed to abate the violence.
Teuku Umar Military Commander Col. Syarifuddin Tippe said on Sunday that some 5,000 security personnel would be dispatched to secure the presidential visit.
In Banda Aceh, security personnel have centered around the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque compound which would be visited by the President.
Tippe added that the military is also anticipating the likelihood of mass student rallies during the visit.
Meanwhile in Jakarta, political observer Bachtiar Ali said on Saturday that Abdurrahman should not visit Aceh if he has no fresh political initiative for the troubled province.
Bachtiar, a member of former president B.J. Habibie's advisory team on Aceh, also noted the escalating tension ahead of the planned visit.
"The President should reconsider this visit if his safety there cannot be guaranteed."
"Members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), soldiers who have deserted the Army or thugs could complicate the situation during the visit," Bachtiar said.
A senior military intelligence officer, who requested anonymity, also questioned the necessity of Gus Dur's visit.
"Will the visit have a good impact? How humiliating it (the visit) would be if the Acehnese did not enthusiastically welcome Gus Dur," he said when contacted by phone on Saturday.
Nevertheless the secretary-general of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimmin Iskandar hailed Abdurrahman's intention to visit Aceh.
"We do not have to be concerned that SIRA (Aceh Referendum Information Center) has warned Gus Dur against visiting the province for security reasons," Muhaimmin said. (02/50/lup)