Aceh students, residents vandalize national flags

JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of students and residents on Thursday vandalized national flags in Lohksukon, North Aceh, following the removal of banners demanding a referendum on the troubled province's future.

A number of flags installed at government offices were set on fire, a local correspondent said. The action involving secondary students led to hours of congestion but no one was arrested.

University students were observed negotiating with military personnel on Thursday afternoon, asking that banners on the referendum be left alone.

Local military commander First Lt. Chairul Nofa agreed on the condition that students stopped tearing down the red-and-white national flags. Officers said referendum banners were allowed as long as they did not bear the "Free Aceh Movement" signs.

Crowds also resorted to scrawling graffiti including "referendum" while police looked on.

Antara quoted Governor Syamsuddin Mahmud as saying that the Acehnese should participate in the June elections as a step to helping solve problems in the province.

"A boycott is against the spirit of reform ...," Syamsuddin said Thursday in response to demands for a referendum and calls to boycott the poll.

He said calls for the referendum to determine whether Acehnese wanted an independent state were based on arguments that it was the only way to solve the area's political and social crisis left by a decade-long military operation.

"They have threatened to boycott the election if the government does not organize a referendum," Syamsuddin said.

Calls for a referendum increased after Syamsuddin stated that a federal system may be the best way to maintain Indonesia's unity. In response, students said a referendum would be better.

Although Syamsuddin said the calls should be respected, he said such aspirations should be channeled through representatives in the House of Representatives. His advice was similar to that of President B.J. Habibie who met with Acehnese last month.

Thirty-seven of the country's 48 parties will be on the ballot in polls in Aceh, the agency reported.

On Tuesday presidential advisor Usman Hasan told Habibie that referendum calls were caused by unsettled grievances mainly related to impacts of military operations from 1989 to 1998, which were aimed at suppressing the Free Aceh Movement.

He reminded the government to realize Habibie's promises made in last month's dialog in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, including bringing officers accused of atrocities against civilians to trial.

Flags of the movement are now frequently seen in Aceh.

On Wednesday, the Aceh chapter of the Islamic People's Party (PUI) stated suggestions to open a military command in the province would lead to a repetition of military operations.

Antara quoted Miswar Sulaiman as saying in a press release that suggestions of the provincial administration that a military command be opened in Aceh should be delayed given continued public trauma over past military operations.

Sporadic violence which has killed several military members and civilians after the operations were ended last year, led the local legislature to suggest that a military command should be re-opened in Aceh.

The command was incorporated into the Bukit Barisan Military Command overseeing Sumatra when the military operations status, was lifted. The Armed Forces plans to establish a military command in Aceh and also in Ambon, the site of recent carnage where scores have died in religious conflict.

"Our party is of the view that if the military command (in Aceh) is set up, we would see more military operations," Miswar said. Additional operations were launched in January following the abduction of soldiers which were blamed on the pro- independence rebels.

In separate incidents a number of civilians who were considered former military informants have also been killed by civilians, according to the military.

Statements disagreeing with a re-opening of the military command in Aceh was also expressed in last month's meeting between Acehnese and the President.

Miswar added, "If repressive attitudes (of the military) are maintained, in which all Acehnese are considered enemies to be eliminated, do not hope that Acehnese will give the military a friendly welcome."

Miswar said demands of Aceh students for a referendum and calls to boycott the poll should not be responded with violence.

On Wednesday students in Medan grouped in the Students Front for Democracy and the Council for North Sumatra Workers demonstrated at the local legislature and the Bukit Barisan military command in Medan.

Among others students urged the boycott of the poll, an end to the military's dual function justifying its role in social and political affairs, and a trial of former president Soeharto.

Workers also demanded an end to the military's dual role apart from demanding lower prices and a 100 percent wage hike. (anr/21)