10 die ahead of Gus Dur's visit to Aceh
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)