Abdurrahman set to visit Aceh despite violence
JAKARTA (JP): Despite a grenade attack on the home of newly- appointed Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh and recurring violence that has claimed the lives of one soldier, two police officers and a civilian on Saturday, President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid is slated to visit the volatile province of Aceh on Dec. 19.
"The visit is for the imposition of Islamic law in the province, which is something the Acehnese have long demanded for," deputy chief of the Supreme Advisory Council, Agus Sudono, said as quoted by Antara on Sunday.
Abdurrahman was initially scheduled to travel to the western tip of Sumatra on his way back from Bangkok on Friday, but continuing violence demanded that he reschedule his visit for Dec. 19.
In the latest act of violence, a grenade attack was launched on Governor Abdullah's home on Saturday.
Aceh Police chief Supt. Sayed Husaini said on Sunday the grenade exploded outside the governor's official residence as visiting Minister of Forestry Nurmahmudi Ismail and other guests were inside.
No one was injured in the attack on Saturday evening.
Earlier on Saturday, five soldiers who were shopping at Seunodon market in Lhokseumawe, the main town in North Aceh, were shot at by two gunmen.
"The five soldiers from the Tanah Jambo Aye Military Resort Command were shopping for food. The gunmen came in motorcycles," public relation officer of the Cinta Meunasah operation Sr. Supt. Kusbini said as quoted by Antara.
"They just started shooting... one soldier (Chief Pvt. Sujana) was killed. One civilian, Saiful Hanafiah, was also reportedly killed in the incident."
Meanwhile, Kusbini said Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels also attacked a Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) post located at a factory in Wiralano, East Aceh. First Pvt. Tulus Widiatna was shot dead and Second Pvt. Sasti Handono was seriously injured in the attack. Sasti died on Sunday.
"The bodies of Chief Pvt. Sujana and First Pvt. Tulus Widiatna were flown to their respective corps on a Garuda flight on Sunday," Kusbini said.
Earlier on Friday evening, a grenade was thrown into a military barracks in Lambada Lhok, injuring two soldiers on duty, commander Lt. Col. Ferdinand Setiawan said. Also on Friday, a villager from Meucat in North Aceh was shot dead by unknown gunmen, according to a local journalist.
Violence in the restive province of Aceh continues despite a truce between the government and rebel forces.
A three-month truce signed in May was extended for another three months in September, but it has so far had little effect on the ground. GAM has been fighting for a free Islamic state in Aceh since 1976.
Jakarta and GAM have agreed to resume talks in Europe some time this month to seek a political settlement, but have yet to set a date.
Earlier, Governor Abdullah said the President, during his visit, was also scheduled to witness a ceremony to mark the handover of government funds worth Rp 100 billion (US$10.6 million) for the Aceh economic recovery program.
Minister of Defense Mahfud MD said if the government was willing to take tough measures, the GAM members could be easily overcome in a short time".
When pressed whether military operations would be launched to crack down on the separatist rebels in Aceh if the government and rebels fail to meet the Jan. 15 deadline for a dialog, Mahfud said: "Military action will be our last resort. There are still steps that can be taken after the deadline." (ylt)