GAM is still 'committed to dialog'

GAM is still 'committed to dialog'

JAKARTA (JP): Spokesman of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
separatist rebels Amni bin Marzuki asserted on Wednesday that
both GAM and Indonesian representatives in the joint Peace
Through Dialog (DMD) committee are "actively continuing dialog in
an effort to stop violence in the disputed Aceh province".

Amni further questioned Coordinating Minister of Political,
Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who called
GAM to return to the negotiation table.

"We are questioning such statements as here in Aceh both
rebels and government representatives are continuing talks on how
to stop the rampaging violence," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Separately, spokesman of Police Cinta Meunasah II Operation
Adj. Sr. Comr. Sad Harunantyo told The Jakarta Post from Banda
Aceh, the capital of Aceh, on Wednesday that rebels continued to
launch attacks against security posts and patrolling officers.

"Attacks, bombings and arson were recorded on Tuesday and
Wednesday in Each Aceh and North Aceh," the officer said.

Details of the incidents, however, were not immediately
available.

Nearly 400 people have been killed in Aceh this year.

Jakarta eventually slapped the "separatist" label on GAM, who
have been fighting for an independent Islamic state since 1976,
on March 12.

At least 11 companies of the military elite Rajawali II anti-
guerrilla squad have been deployed in Aceh this week to quell the
separatist movement in the disputed region.

In Jakarta, President Abdurrahman Wahid hinted on Wednesday
that the government would appreciate GAM factions that are
willing to accept the government-proposed law on special autonomy
for Aceh, but would take stern measures against those opposing
autonomy.

"GAM factions that are willing to cooperate will be highly
appreciated. But, those opposing the autonomy proposal will be
pursued and punished," said the President as quoted by chairman
of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI) Adhyaksa.

Adhyaksa, along with KNPI executive board members, met with
Abdurrahman at the Bina Graha presidential office on Wednesday
and asked the President about the government's stance in
observing GAM's position ahead of the implementation of the
special autonomy law, known as Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.

The law was initially expected to be endorsed by the House of
Representatives before May 1, 2001.

Adhyaksa said KNPI hoped that Aceh's problems could soon be
settled in an effort to prevent more victims of violence, either
among military and police officers or the Aceh people.

"Although thousands of military and police officers are
deployed in Aceh, there will be more fatalities if there is no
solution to the problems in Aceh," he said.

The KNPI chairman said they also asked the President about the
latest political development in the country, especially on the
delegation of daily presidential duties to Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri.

He said Presidential Decree No. 121/2000 on the Delegation of
Daily Presidential Duties to the Vice President should be
enhanced by the issuance of a decree of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR).

"But, Gus Dur only said that he would await the outcome of
political developments over the next few days," Adhyaksa said.

Meanwhile, rector of Banda Aceh-based State Syah Kuala
University Dayan Daud said that the deployment of security troops
would not solve Aceh's problems.

"If Jakarta uses a military approach again, it will only
create more suffering and cause vengeance," Dayan told media in
Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi, at the national meeting of
the Rectors' Forum on Wednesday. (27/edt)