Government not to extend humanitarian pause in Aceh
Government not to extend humanitarian pause in Aceh
JAKARTA (JP): The government confirmed on Friday it would not
extend the humanitarian pause in restive Aceh province but would
turn to stiff measures if the separatist rebel group failed to
show commitment to peace.
Defense minister Mahfud MD told The Jakarta Post the current
humanitarian pause, which was aimed at restoring peace to allow
humanitarian aid to reach the province, could be put to an end
before its second extension period on Jan. 15.
"By that time, if our offers are ignored then we will use all
resources in the country to reinstate the functions this unitary
state used to play in the territory," he said.
He said the decision was taken in a meeting between state
officials in charge of security at the vice presidential palace
on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan on Thursday evening.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Social Affairs and
Security Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian Military (TNI)
chief Adm. Widodo AS, the three armed forces chiefs and National
Police chief attended the meeting presided over by Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri.
"The pause can be halted unilaterally before time if GAM fails
to show good intention to negotiate and refuses to touch the
substantial matters of solutions to Aceh's problems," Mahfud
said.
Violence has not stopped since the humanitarian pause took
effect in June.
The government has offered special autonomy status for Aceh
and Irian Jaya, another resource rich, restive province, to deal
with persistent demands for independence.
New rally
After a mass rally in support of independence in Banda Aceh
almost three weeks ago, another event, called the International
Solidarity on Aceh Human Rights Violation Week (Persikab HAM
Aceh) is slated to take place here from Dec. 4 to Dec. 10.
Spokesman for the organizer of the Nov. 11 Mass Gathering for
Peace (SIRA RAKAN) Muhammad Taufik Abda said here on Friday that
all Acehnese people were expected to join the event, but he could
not say what kind of event it would be and where it would be
held.
Taufik said the event was meant to be the substitute to a
planned mass strike, scheduled to take place from Nov. 27 to Dec.
3, 2000.
"The activity is expected to bolster solidarity among the
Acehnese, and to draw world attention and humanitarian aid to
create peace and uphold democracy and human rights in Aceh."
If the event does take place, the province will be very busy
as the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) plans to commemorate its
anniversary on Dec. 4.
Observers speculated that SIRA RAKAN and GAM engineered the
activities in such a way that GAM's request for the delay in
further talks with the Indonesian government looked reasonable.
The talks were scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on
Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, but GAM wants to delay from Dec. 10 to Dec.
15, on the grounds that it would be impossible for GAM officials
to be in Geneva on Dec. 5, while they were still in Aceh on Dec.
4 for the GAM anniversary.
Both GAM and SIRA RAKAN have claimed that they do not have any
(political) links.
Taufik said detailed plans on the Persikab HAM Aceh would be
announced on Dec. 3 after consulting several non-governmental
organizations abroad.
Speaking about fighting between GAM members and soldiers,
Taufik said that both GAM and the military should respect the
holy month of Ramadhan. He wants the violence to be stopped,
especially during the fasting month.
Meanwhile, the fighting continues, five rebels were killed in
operations in Seulimeum area in Aceh Besar regency on Thursday,
Police Special Operation Cinta Meunasah deputy spokesman Supt.
Yatim Suyatmo said on Friday. (50/bby/dja/lup)