Continuing violations in Aceh threaten peace pact

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

The cessation of hostilities agreement that Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (MOU) signed in Geneva on Dec. 9, 2002, has come under threat following a series of violations over the last two months.

The latest violation occurred on Thursday when a group of rebels shot Chief Pvt. Hadi in Krueng Teunom village, Lammo district, West Aceh.

The victim was shot on his way with other civilians to a gathering with local people in the village.

Hadi, who suffered serious chest injuries, was evacuated by military helicopter to hospital in the provincial capital.

The Joint Security Committee (JSC) representing the government, international monitors and GAM, said it had yet to receive a report on the shooting.

The incident followed the attack on two members of a battalion of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) in Rampah village, East Aceh, on Tuesday. Second Private Warsono was killed in the incident while Second Lt. Dian Fitriansyah was rushed to the hospital in Medan, capital of North Sumatra.

The police recorded more than 50 violations committed both by the military and the rebels only a week after the cessation of hostilities agreement was signed.

Meanwhile, the JSC regretted the continuing violations, saying it would investigate all incidents thoroughly and impose penalties on truce violators.

"We regret the numerous incidents that have taken place over the last few days. But, both of the conflicting sides must enforce the peace accord and all the violations handled in accordance with the law," David Gorman, the HDC's project manager, said in a weekly press briefing here on Thursday.

The 150-member JSC has assigned a number of teams to investigate all the incidents that have occurred since the signing of the peace accord, and these investigations are expected to be completed this month.

Dian, who is still receiving treatment in the military hospital in Medan, condemned the rebel attack, saying GAM should be held responsible for its men's violations of the peace agreement.

"So far, the military has controlled its personnel and they have complied with the cessation of hostilities agreement, but three soldiers have been shot dead already," he said, adding that he was ready to help the JSC and local police arrest the attackers.

Major Indra Nasution, the commandant of the Kostrad Battalion, condemned the two latest attacks and called on the JSC and the local police to bring the attackers to justice.

"Both the JSC and the police must act firmly against the truce violators so as to maintain the cease-fire and ensure that the law is upheld in the implementation of the peace accord," he said.