GAM rejects Gus Dur's offer of protection

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Representatives of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) have rejected President Abdurrahman Wahid's offer of protection and possible clemency if leaders of the rebel group attend an Acehnese gathering slated for Jan. 25.

"We will not except such a motion unless it is granted by the United Nations," GAM commander Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie said on Tuesday night.

"And we don't need any security guarantees from a lying government, colonials from Java, Indonesia," Abdullah lambasted.

Abdullah also reiterated the group's refusal to hold talks with the government in settling the prolonged dispute in Aceh.

President Abdurrahman has offered protection for GAM commanders if they join the planned dialog in a bid to find a solution for Aceh.

Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra earlier raised the possibility of Hasan Tiro, a senior GAM leader who lives in Sweden, being absolved of wrongdoing by the President if he returns home and partakes in a national reconciliation.

"We do not need such absolution, because we have never conceded that we are part of Indonesia," Abdullah said.

Separately, students continued their demonstrations here to demand a referendum in the province.

"Give Acehnese the chance to decide their own fate through a peaceful referendum," said Muhammad Nazar, chairman of the Information Center for an Aceh Referendum (SIRA).

Rebels have stepped up their attacks since the New Year leaving at least 26 dead.

Meanwhile, Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Bachrumsyah Kusman during a briefing with journalists on Tuesday evening claimed six GAM field leaders had been killed in the past six months, either shot by security officers or murdered by locals.

He identified them as Abdul Muthalib, alias Abu, Arafah chief in the Meureuhom Daya area, West Aceh, who was shot on Dec. 20, Hamdani, a leader in Sagoe Jamboaye, North Aceh, shot on Dec. 27 and Benyamin Yusuf, chief of the Sagoe Buloh Blang Ara area, North Aceh, who was shot dead along with his wife.

Other rebel leaders killed were Abu Tausi, a spokesman in Meurohom Daya, shot in the Simpang Kramat area of Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, Tengku Usman, a leader in Nagan, West Aceh and Khalis, chief in Simeulu regency, who died in a mob assault on Jan. 9.

On the other side, Bachrumsyah revealed that 53 policemen had been killed on duty in Aceh in the last six months. He said 62 were injured while 15 remained missing.

However, Bachrumsyah said not all personnel were victims of rebel attacks. "There were also armed gangs who took advantage of the chaotic and unlawful situation in Aceh," he said.

GAM spokesman Ismail Syahputra separately confirmed the deaths of the six rebel leaders.

But he defiantly asserted that the struggle for independence would continue and made a threatening call to Acehnese to join the movement.

"The chance is still open for Acehnese to join us. If not, you'll end up being killed by either us or the security officers," Ismail said on Wednesday.

More victims of violence were found on Wednesday afternoon.

Nine unidentified bodies were exhumed by locals at Alue Glem village in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh.

"The remains had already decomposed when they were delivered to the hospital and it was hard for us to identify them. Locals found a pile of dirt near the Mobile Oil pipe line and dug it out.

"There will probably be more bodies found as people continue to open up the ground," said Syukri Thaher, the administration chief of Lhokseumawe Hospital.

The nine bodies were later buried in a mass grave at the public cemetery in Lhokseumawe. (50/edt)