Condemnation pours in on school burning in Aceh

Condemnation pours in on school burning in Aceh

JAKARTA (JP): Officials and analysts have condemned the
burning of at least 50 school buildings in the troubled Aceh
province, saying that the attacks were committed by people
wanting to obstruct human resource development in the province.

"We condemn such criminal acts. Whatever the reason, attacking
schools, places of worship, hospitals and other public facilities
cannot be tolerated, as it only hurts the public," former
education minister Juwono Sudarsono told The Jakarta Post here on
Saturday.

He said that the arson attacks were committed by those who do
not want to see the Aceh problem resolved peacefully because, if
such a process were successful, they would have no further role
in Aceh.

He also reminded that there is an "unwritten rule" that those
involved in conflict should never attack public facilities.

Any group attacking public facilities will only discredit
themselves as the people will recognize that their actions hurt
them.

"If they want to win sympathy from the public, they should
protect public interests," he said.

Education analyst Muchtar Buchori said the burning of the
school buildings was committed by those who do not want to see a
bright future for the country.

"They want to see the nation go backward. They don't
understand the meaning of education," Buchori told the Post.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf
Kalla said that the government would rebuild the 50 school
buildings reported to have been burned by an armed group.

He also expressed hope that the people would assist the
government in preventing similar incidents from occurring in the
province.

"We will rebuild the school buildings. I hope that the people
will help the government fight against criminal acts aimed at
disrupting the development of human resources," Kalla said.

Meanwhile, it was reported from Aceh that the Indonesian
Military (TNI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) blame each other
for the arson attacks.

Security Restoring Operation Task Force spokesman Adj. Sr.
Comr. Sad Harun stated that dozens of schools had been burned by
GAM rebels during the last few days.

"The Aceh armed separatist groups have lost their minds. They
are frustrated because now the people of Aceh know who they
really are. They ignored the group's ban to celebrate Indonesia's
Independence Day," Harun said.

"We condemn the school fires," he said, adding that the
security officers had uncovered evidence, including assembled
bombs, cable, fuel containers and batteries.

GAM military spokesman Teungku Sofyan Dawod said in a press
statement that the TNI and police should be blamed for the arson
as they had burned hundreds of schools in regencies of Each Aceh,
North Aceh, Pidie, Banda Aceh, West Aceh and South Aceh between
Aug. 12 and 15.

"We strongly condemn the criminal attacks conducted by the
military and police, which have destroyed education facilities.
They must be held responsible for such actions," Sofyan Dawod was
quoted by Antara as saying.

He said, however, that GAM would continue attacking security
posts across Aceh. "Therefore, people should be cautious of
possible attacks," he said. (02/dja)