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)