Banda Aceh quiet as GAM celebrates anniversary

Banda Aceh quiet as GAM celebrates anniversary

Ibnu Mat Noor and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Kuala Simpang/Bireuen

Banda Aceh was largely deserted on Wednesday, with most public
transport off the streets, as the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
celebrated its 26th independence anniversary.

The situation in the capital, home to about 370,000 people,
was generally quiet, with many shops closed. Only a small number
of people were seen at traditional markets and shopping centers.

Banda Aceh's inter-city bus terminal was also deserted
Wednesday. Police personnel offered help by operating dozens of
buses for the public.

Soldiers and police patrolled the outskirts of the city in
trucks.

Sigli and most other towns in Pidie district and Lhokseumawe
in North Aceh were also reportedly near-deserted on Wednesday
morning.

GAM, which has been fighting for an independent Aceh,
celebrated its 26th independence anniversary on Wednesday,
despite warnings and attack threats by the Indonesian military
(TNI) and police.

Government and GAM representatives are due to meet in Geneva
next Monday to sign a deal to end the bloody war. International
mediators from the Henry Dunant Centre say they are confident the
signing will go ahead.

At least 28 GAM flags were hoisted in Aceh Besar regency
Tuesday night, but security forces quickly lowered and burned
them on Wednesday morning.

In Tamiang, East Aceh, GAM fighters held a flag-raising
ceremony at 8 a.m. under tight security. Around one thousand GAM
fighters were deployed to secure the location.

Tamiang GAM commander Tengku Syamsuddin bin Mahmud Saleh said
the tight security was normal.

"Just to make sure that Dec. 4 is not a bloodshed day, but a
day of commemoration of Aceh's independence. We have been
commemorating that day since 1976," Syamsuddin told The Jakarta
Post here.

A speech by self-exiled GAM leader Tengku Muhammad Hasan di
Tiro was read out by GAM spokesman Tengku Fauzillah during the
ceremony.

In his speech, Tiro urged the people of Aceh to ignore all
threats from TNI and Jakarta. "We have fought this war for 26
years today. If needed, we will go on fighting until our noble
goal is achieved," Tiro said.

Soon after the commemoration, a gunfight between TNI and GAM
rebels broke out. There were no reports of casualties in the
encounter.

GAM fighters in Bireuen regency, North Aceh, commemorated the
movement's anniversary on Tuesday, apparently to avoid armed
contact with TNI. Some 300 rebels in full battle gear attended
the ceremony.

GAM field commander Muzakkir Manaf was conspicuously absent
from the celebrations without explanations.

"Muzakkir Manaf is unable to attend (the ceremony)," said GAM
spokesman Sofyan Dawood who led the ceremony.

Sofyan denied speculation that Muzakkir's absence related to
the military siege at Cot Trieng, North Aceh.

Meanwhile, two explosions rocked locations in east Banda Aceh
on Tuesday night causing tension among local people.

Earlier, a police Mobile Brigade barracks in Jeulingke, 4
kilometers east of Banda Aceh, was destroyed by fire. No
casualties were reported.