Criticism over GAM hostages worries Megawati
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri regretted on Thursday criticism against the government over its handling of civilian hostages held by the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
In a meeting with the executive board of the government-backed Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), Megawati said it was unfair to say that the government had done little to secure the release of civilian hostages.
"In Ersa's case, the President is really concerned about criticisms against the government," PWI chairman Tarman Azzam said after meeting Megawati.
The government has come under fire following the killing of RCTI journalist Ersa Siregar, who was found shot dead in East Aceh on Dec. 29 after a gunfight between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and GAM separatists. The TNI confirmed that shots fired by government troops had killed Ersa.
"The President said reporters in conflict areas must bear in mind that there are certain conditions to entering dangerous zones, such as reporting to security authorities," Tarman said.
Ersa and fellow RCTI cameraman Fery Santoro, together with the wives of two military officers -- one of whom is pregnant -- were taken hostage by GAM members in late June.
The fate of Fery and the women remain unknown.
Several organizations have accused the government of failing to ensure the safety of its citizens and pointed out that negotiations to free Fery intensified only after Ersa was killed.
The TNI and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), are trying to secure Fery's release from GAM.
The separatist group is believed to be holding dozens of civil servants hostage across the troubled province.
According to Tarman, the President said that stray bullets were among the consequences that journalists had to face in covering news in conflict areas.
"Security officers cannot stop the bullets from killing journalists ... this should be understood," he said, quoting Megawati.
GAM separatists have been fighting for independence for the resource-rich province since 1976. Over 10,000 people, mostly innocent civilians, have been killed in the conflict.
The government imposed martial law in the province on May 19, 2003 and launched the so-called joint operation aimed at crushing GAM. According to the TNI, over 1,000 GAM members have been killed and over 2,000 others have been captured or have surrendered to government troops since then.
At Thursday's meeting, the President also asked the media community to take part in promoting the country's first-ever direct presidential election on July 5.
She said the media should also act as an educator by providing information about the new electoral system to the public.