Ex-rebels pledge allegiance to RI

Ex-rebels pledge allegiance to RI

LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: Dozens of people from the Tangse district in the Pidie regency have pledged their allegiance to the republic and renounced their old separatist cause for an Aceh state.

The villagers, who had supported the Aceh Merdeka rebel group, made the pledge on Saturday before local officials, including Regent M. Diah Ibrahim and Lt. Col Herry Tjahyana, the chief of the military district command, according to Antara.

"In the name of Allah, we the people of the Tangse district pledge our loyalty to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," read the text of their pledge.

They also promised to help the administration and the military in maintaining peace and order in the area and to assist with the holding of the general election in 1997. (emb)