GAM withdraws troops as JSC deploys teams
GAM withdraws troops as JSC deploys teams
Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Hundreds of armed members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
returned to their bases on Thursday as part of the peace accord
it signed with the government earlier this month, as teams of
observers prepared to fan out across Aceh to monitor the
ceasefire.
About 500 members of GAM's military wing, the Armed Free Aceh
Movement (AGAM), in the Aceh Besar regency began a nearly two-day
march back to their "barracks" on Wednesday.
The troops were stationed in a GAM-controlled area known as
Aceh Rayeuk region 22. Located about 25 kilometers east of the
province capital, Banda Aceh, region 22 oversees four regencies.
A military GAM post resembling those owned by the police and
the Indonesian Military (TNI), marked their presence. Dozens of
GAM soldiers were seen occupying the newly built military post.
Just one-and-a-half kilometers separated the GAM post from the
nearest TNI post belonging to 310 Battalion.
"This is our first post, there are 10 more posts before we
arrive at our base," said Teungku Hamzah, the commander of GAM's
Gajah Keng special forces in the region. "With the signing of the
peace agreement we all must head back to our barracks."
He said GAM troops guarding the posts, however would stay.
More than 1,000 were stationed at the posts, he said but would
not say how many soldiers GAM had in region 22.
The region is one of three under GAM's Aceh Rayeuk. The others
are known as region 25 and 26.
Just two posts occupy region 25 where some 300 GAM troops are
stationed. It is also the home of GAM Aceh Rayeuk commander
Teungku Muharram.
GAM has been fighting for an independent state in the natural-
resources rich province since 1976. More than 10,000 have died in
the war.
A decade-long military operation to squash the separatists has
failed, and the government abandoned the strategy in late 1999.
In mid 2000, Indonesia quietly opened talks with GAM under the
auspices of the Geneva-based non governmental organization, the
Henry Dunant Centre (HDC).
The resulting ceasefires failed.
After numerous delays, the government and GAM signed a more
comprehensive ceasefire agreement, which aims to provide a basis
for building lasting peace in the province.
Emphasizing confidence building, the deal allows both sides
two months to observe each others' compliance to end hostilities.
Although the security condition has improved since the signing
of the agreement, sporadic violence has claimed 14 lives so far.
A Joint Security Committee (JSC) in charge of implementing the
peace deal is preparing to send out teams across Aceh to monitor
security and investigate violations of the agreement.
The JSC's monitoring team consists of representatives from the
government, GAM and HDC appointed foreign observers. Not all of
the 150-strong team have arrived in the province and the team's
working procedures have not been fixed.
JSC plans to send 72 team members, 24 from each side, to
several regencies in the province, said Thailand's Maj. Gen.
Thanongsuk Tuvinan who heads the HDC's mission at the joint
committee.
"Right now we're still discussing the JSC working mechanism
and the sanctions for those who violate the agreement in the
field," he said as quoted by Antara.
The second batch would follow in about two to three weeks
time, he added.