Criticism over GAM hostages worries Megawati
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.