Aceh rebels offer cease-fire to TNI

Aceh rebels offer cease-fire to TNI

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Separatist rebels grouped in the Free
Aceh Movement (GAM) in this restive province have said they will
accept a cease-fire if Indonesian security forces call off their
campaign to crush the resistance movement.

GAM Commander Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie said on Sunday he
wanted the Indonesian Military (TNI) to publicly announce its
willingness to suspend further operations.

"We are ready for a cease-fire if Adm. Widodo makes the same
statement," rebel leader Abdullah told Serambi Indonesia
journalists, referring to TNI Commander Adm. Widodo Adisucipto.

He said future negotiations for a peaceful end to the 25-year-
long conflict in Aceh should be carried out under sanctions of an
international organization, such as the United Nations.

"The order to establish a truce must come from the highest
level in TNI command. If it comes from other officers, commanders
in the field will back down on the commitment," Abdullah said.

It was Abdullah's first statement regarding a cease-fire since
President Abdurrahman Wahid indicated his willingness to
negotiate with the separatist rebels.

Students, civilian militia Thaliban and the local Indonesian
Ulemas Council have continuously campaigned for a cease-fire due
to the increasing death toll.

GAM has been fighting for independence since 1976.

During the 10 year military operation to quell rebels, which
was scrapped in 1998, about 1,000 people died while hundreds
became widows and orphans.

President Abdurrahman has repeatedly offered wide-ranging
autonomy, not independence, to Aceh as a settlement to the long
conflict.

He has also suggested a ballot be held in Aceh to ask whether
Islamic law should be introduced in the predominantly Muslim
province.

Abdurrahman, who finally set foot in Aceh as President last
week, predicted that he could resolve the dispute through a
dialog by the end of March.

Over the past few weeks, security forces in Aceh have
intensified as antirebel operations aimed to catch Abdullah and
his followers. GAM also launched counterattacks, including last
week's killing of six Marine officers in Ujoeng Blang village in
Bireun.

The outbreak of violence has so far claimed 111 lives over the
first month of the year, 10 of which were rebels, 18
military/police personnel and the rest were civilians.

Teuku Umar Military chief Col. Syarifuddin Tippe said more
than 1,000 Aceh rebels have surrendered to security forces during
this past month, including three rebel leaders identified as Said
Syarif, the Sagoe Beutong commander; Sayed Zulkarnain, Sagoe
Blang Mulieng chief and Sayed Bustami, the Sagoe Blang Ara chief.

In response to Abdullah's offer, Lilawangsa Military Commander
Col. Syafnil Armen said the military had proposed a cease-fire
since last year. "We can still have a dialog," he said.

"But if they (GAM) want a cease-fire, they'd better put down
their weapons and surrender them to the security authorities
first," he said.

Syarifuddin also said several GAM strongholds were weakened
following intensive raids and operations in villages as well as
jungles and valleys. Witnesses, however, said the operations
killed civilians. (50/edt)