GAM denies responsibility for helicopter shootings
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Leader of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels in North Aceh Abu Sofyan Daud denied allegations that GAM was behind Tuesday's shootings of helicopters carrying the entourage of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources inspecting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) operations in Aceh.
"We deny responsibility for the helicopter incident," Abu told media on Wednesday.
"It would have been impossible for our troops to breach the area because the military had set up a cordon around the area where the choppers were shot at," Abu said.
He further said the incident "was an attempt to defame GAM". "The shootings were clearly carried out by security officers to defame us," Abu said.
Separately, spokesman of Cinta Meunasah II operation Adj. Sr. Comr. Harunantyo revealed that police have identified two 5.56 millimeter projectiles found in the helicopters.
"The bullets were shot from M-16 and AK-47 rifles," the officer told The Jakarta Post by phone.
He said both helicopters were within the firing range of GAM, which is about three kilometers away from Malikussaleh Airport.
The incident is evidence of GAM commander Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie's lack of grip on his troops, the officer said.
"It's hard for him (Abdullah) to control the rebels as most of the recruits are hoodlums, illegal brokers or vigilantes. GAM's Darwis Jeunib, for instance, has long been known as a ticket scalper.
Meanwhile, police and residents on Wednesday reported another seven deaths in Aceh.
In Jakarta, Asmara Nababan, secretary-general of the National Commission on Human Rights, queried the government's argument to carry out a military operation in Aceh at a time when the situation in the area is considered "normal".
"We think it better to deploy more police officers there as all problems started from the military operations in the early 1990s," he said.
Also in Jakarta, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday that the government would not change its policy on Aceh.
"Media statements that we will simply conduct a military operation is not true, since we are preparing six agendas in finding the solution for Aceh's problems, including a military approach," Susilo said while addressing foreign ambassadors and officials of international organizations on the latest developments in Indonesia, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Susilo was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro, director-general for political affairs of the foreign ministry Nur Hasan Wirayudha, and deputy chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Strategic Intelligence Body (Bais) Maj. Gen. Tulus Sihombing.
Speaking about the limited security operation, Susilo said the objective is only to crush the Aceh Separatist Movement (GSA).
Responding to a question by South Korean Ambassador Hong Jung Pyo about the government's wish for giant oil and gas firm ExxonMobil to resume operations, Susilo said the limited security operation was also to protect and secure the vital natural gas resources there. ExxonMobil has halted its operations since March 9 on security grounds.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. said that Tuesday's shooting incident had persuaded the government and the President to immediately conduct a limited military operation in Aceh.
"We are sure that certain people in GAM will never change their intentions. We urge the President to immediately issue an instruction for the operation," Mahfud told reporters after attending a hearing with the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Separately, National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro said the police still hold the lead over security troops in Aceh.
"The security status of the province is currently a civil matter, so the military personnel there are still under the jurisdiction of the police," Bimantoro said. (02/50/edt/bby/dja)