GAM urged to lay down arms

GAM urged to lay down arms

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) has urged the
Swiss-based Henry Dunant Center (HDC) to persuade the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) to end their armed struggle.

"The House considers GAM as a separatist movement, so the
Henry Dunant Center has to understand it and urge GAM to pursue
peace," House Commission I Chairman Ibrahim Ambong was quoted by
Antara as saying on Sunday.

The HDC has been facilitating peace talks between the
Indonesian government and GAM, which has fighting for Aceh's
independence since the 1970s.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief commander Gen.
Endriartono Sutarto said Sunday that he had not received reports
on the latest development of peace negotiations facilitated by
the HDC.

He also said that he was not aware of objections made by a
number of military generals to U.S. General (retired) Anthony
Zinni's proposal to engage in talks with GAM.

Army Chief Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Friday that military
operations were the best option to put an end to the bloody
violence in the country's western-most province.

"No more dialog ... the rebellion has to be crushed,"
Ryamizard said. -- Antara