Abdurrahman set to visit Aceh despite violence

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)