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)