GAM agrees to end fighting in Aceh: Gus Dur
GAM agrees to end fighting in Aceh: Gus Dur
THE HAGUE (JP): President Abdurrahman 'Gus Dur' Wahid
announced here on Wednesday that the separatist rebel group Free
Aceh Movement (GAM) had agreed to end more than two decades of
fighting with Indonesian security forces in the restive province
and begin peace talks.
Abdurrahman said the exiled GAM president, Hassan Tiro,
approved the truce during negotiations with the Indonesian
ambassador to Switzerland.
"In Geneva, Hassan Tiro has held talks with our ambassador and
they have agreed to stop the fighting," Abdurrahman told some 300
Indonesian natives who live here.
The rebel commander in Aceh, Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie, earlier
said his forces would be willing to honor a cease-fire if
Indonesia's military made the same commitment to putting an end
to the violence which has claimed thousands of lives.
Hassan staged a rebellion in Aceh in the 1970s and later fled
to Sweden.
President Abdurrahman, who is on a whistlestop European tour,
has repeatedly said the bloodshed in Aceh would end by March.
Since taking office in October, he has offered to hold a
referendum on whether predominantly Muslim Aceh should adopt
Islamic law.
While ruling out independence for Aceh, the President has also
promised the province more self-rule and a greater share of
revenue generated from oil and gas reserves.
He said on Wednesday the situation in Aceh was improving.
"There were some incidents, but the situation is under control
now. The opposite process (toward peace) is now underway,"
President Abdurrahman said.
He said of 12 regencies in Aceh, only three were problematic.
The prospect of peace follows months of growing violence in
the province on the northern tip of Sumatra island.
On Wednesday security forces opened fire on rebels in North
Aceh killing a GAM leader identified as Mukhtar alias Tar Molen,
30.
The local police chief, Lt. Col. Syafei Aksal, said three
police personnel were injured in the exchange of fire between a
joint police/military force and rebels in Uteuen Bunta village,
Bireun regency.
About 60 houses were burned in the clash, which according to
Syafei flared up when 11 rebels intercepted security personnel
who were about to raid an adjacent GAM base.
Syafei said the body of Mukhtar was abandoned by his fellow
guerrillas.
"His friend took away his gun and fled the scene," Syafei
said.
Mukhtar's remains were brought to Cut Meutia Hospital in
Lhokseumawe while the three wounded police personnel -- Second
Sgt. Irianto, Pvt. Agus Kuncoro and Pvt. Mimban -- were rushed to
Lilawangsa Military hospital.
A TT pistol made in China, 11 0.9 millimeter bullets and 5.56
millimeter caliber, a chain roll of ammunition, a walkie talkie
and a car registration document were seized.
On the same day, security personnel also raided a GAM base in
Ulee Bukit village, North Aceh.
"A rebel opened fire while driving in Blang Pie village near
the base and ran away," North Utara Military chief Lt. Col.
Suyatno said on Thursday.
Shortly after the attack, some 20 rebels and security
personnel engaged in a clash. No fatalities were reported.
The rebels reportedly fled to the jungle as security raided
the GAM base and seized six motorbikes, 30 bullets, a magazine
for an AK 47 semiautomatic rifle and a pile of documents.
Also on Wednesday in North Aceh, alleged rebels threw grenades
into a local government office and a police station, said
provincial police spokesman Lt. Col. Sayed Hoesainy. No one was
injured in the incidents. (50/51/edt/rms)