Aceh separatists to celebrate anniversary despite threats
Aceh separatists to celebrate anniversary despite threats
Tiarma Siboro and Teuku Agam Muzakkir, The Jakarta Post,
Jakarta/Lhokseumawe
Despite warnings and threats of attacks by the Indonesian
Military (TNI), the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) plans on
celebrating its 27th anniversary, which falls on Dec. 4.
Ishak Daud, a GAM commander overseeing East Aceh, said his
troops had already prepared for a modest ceremony in the
territory, while GAM fighters in Pidie regency have been holding
rehearsals outside the town of Sigli since last week.
"We will celebrate the 27th anniversary, even though the
military is continuing its operations here. We welcome the press
in covering it, but of course, we will only hold modest events on
Dec. 4," Ishak said, not like past celebrations.
In the past, thousands of GAM members held events
simultaneously across the province at around 8 a.m. GAM flags
were hoisted in a show of force and the province was generally
quiet, with many shops closed for the anniversary and most public
transportation not operating.
In Pidie, GAM spokesman Teungku Anwar Hussein expected that
people would respect the movement's historical day by supporting
the anniversary.
"I believe that all Acehnese will honor Dec. 4 as independence
day, even without our calling upon them to do so," he said.
Meanwhile, ahead of the GAM celebration, the TNI's
intelligence officers are heightening monitoring activities for
press believed to be planning coverage of the day.
Several military personnel have even questioned reporters as
to whether they planned to go elsewhere in Aceh to cover the
anniversary, including the make and model of their vehicles and
license plate numbers.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri declared martial law on May
19 and launched an integrated operation focusing mainly on wiping
out GAM, which has been fighting for an independent Aceh since
1976. The operations were extended for another six months from
Nov. 19, despite widespread criticisms.
The military has claimed that more than 1,000 guerrillas had
been killed since May, 2,000 others had been arrested or had
surrendered and 485 weapons had been seized.
The TNI initially estimated a rebel strength of about 5,000.
Meanwhile, 319 civilians have been killed while thousands have
become refugees.
In the latest developments in Aceh, TNI soldiers killed six
suspected GAM rebels and captured four women believed to be
members of the movement's female wing Inong Bale in separate
operations.
The troops also confiscated a handgun and two walkie-talkies
from the dead rebels, military spokesman Lt. Col. A. Yani Basuki
said on Sunday.