Aceh game for soccer, not campaigns

In ensuring that the Aceh Free Movement (GAM) would not disrupt campaigns in the province, the Martial Law Administrator deployed 10 fully armed Mobile Brigade personnel to safeguard the Lampineung soccer field.

Four political parties were scheduled to campaign at the soccer field, but as of late Thursday afternoon, not a single party had come.

The policemen, who had been on duty since early morning, were relieved when several youths turned up a little later.

"All they did was play soccer, but at least we had something to watch," a policeman said. -- JP