Govt to decide on Aceh martial law

Govt to decide on Aceh martial law

JAKARTA: The government will decide on Monday whether to
extend the martial law that has been imposed in Aceh since May
19.

Secretary to the Coordinating Minister for Political and
Security Affairs, Sudi Silalahi, said on Thursday the decision
would be taken during a limited Cabinet meeting presided over by
President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

He said his office had proposed three options: extending the
martial law for six months, extending the martial law only in
those areas of the province prone to conflicts or downgrading the
martial law to a civil emergency.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is in charge of day-to-day
implementation of the martial law, said after a recent visit to
the province that the security situation had greatly improved
after five months of martial law. -- JP