Flying flags indicate success of Aceh mission

Flying flags indicate success of Aceh mission

Nani Farida and Teriani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post,
Banda Aceh/Lhokseumawe

A House of Representatives delegation visited Aceh on Monday and
was quick to judge the military operation in the province a
success merely from the number of red and white flags they saw.

"There are far more red and white flags flying on Aceh soil.
It's a stark contrast with the previous period," House Deputy
Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, who led the 15-strong
delegation, told reporters in Banda Aceh.

A number of sources in the military have said that the
government troops had pushed themselves hard to make as many
national flags as possible fly across the province ahead of the
celebration of anniversary of independence on Aug. 17.

The martial law administrator has ordered the Acehnese people
to hoist the flag, although in some places where Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) rebels prevail, the red and white flags are not
visible.

Soetardjo said the growing number of Acehnese people who had
pledged allegiance to the state was further evidence of the
success of the joint operation.

He said people currently had the conscience to inform
Indonesian troops on the whereabouts of GAM rebels.

The 15 legislators visited Aceh to get a first-hand account of
what is going on in Aceh two months into the military operation.

Aside from the military operation, the legislators discussed
problems that have plagued Aceh, including refugees, poor law
enforcement and the poor running of the local government.

Meanwhile, Aceh martial law administrator Maj. Gen. Endang
Suwarya judged the military operation a success due to the fact
that people had resumed their normal activities.

He said GAM was already unable to control most of Aceh's
territory, consequently life in Aceh was returning to normal.

"People are becoming less fearful about informing us on the
whereabouts of GAM members," he said after receiving the
legislators.

The lawmakers are scheduled to stay in Aceh until Tuesday. The
Aceh martial administrator suggested on Monday they visit West
and South Aceh regencies, so they can witness what is going on
with the military and humanitarian operations there.

Among the visiting legislators are Permadi, Sabam Sirait,
Astrid S. Susanto, Achmad Farhan Hamid and Abdul Qadir Djaelani.

Meanwhile, one soldier charged with theft may walk free, while
another is facing seven months in jail for allegedly taking
someone's belongings in a military raid.

Prosecutor Maj. Achmad Dandy told the court that no witness'
deposition incriminated Second Sgt. Yulius Sitorus of Battalion
143 Lampung, but all evidence pointed to Second Pvt. M. Alam Sri
as the perpetrator.

"We ask the court to drop the charges against the first
defendant. Witnesses said that the second defendant was the only
person who entered the victim's bedroom before she realized that
as much as Rp 2 million (US$243) in cash and 26.5 grams of gold
jewelry had gone," he said.

Under the Criminal Code, theft carries a maximum sentence of
five years in prison.

The defendants were not detained, although existing laws
stipulate detention for those accused of violating a law which
carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison. The soldiers
were merely suspended from active duty.

Presiding judge Maj. Trias Komara adjourned the trial until
Wednesday to hear the defense plea.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto
had earlier apologized to the Acehnese people who had lost their
belongings during the integrated operation in the province.

The military court had previously found three soldiers guilty
of raping four women and sentenced them to between two years and
three years in jail.