Gus Dur agrees to Aceh humanitarian pause extension

Gus Dur agrees to Aceh humanitarian pause extension

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has chosen
temporarily to extend the expired three-month humanitarian pause
in Aceh pending further negotiations between the government and
the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), a minister announced on
Saturday.

Speaking to journalists after meeting with the President at
Merdeka Palace, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and
Security Affairs Lt. Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
expressed confidence a more definite humanitarian interval soon
would be reached with GAM.

"We see, based on its press statement, GAM is apparently
willing to prolong the pause and we welcome the gesture," Susilo
said.

He added that the President's decision was based on the
results of the Cabinet meeting on Thursday. He also indicated the
government had received an official message from GAM voicing its
willingness to lengthen the truce.

Without elaborating, the minister said the government would
submit new conditions for the extension of the humanitarian
pause. He also failed to reveal the length of the extension.

Susilo said the government delegation negotiating with GAM was
still headed by the directory general for political affairs at
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hassan Wirajuda.

Hassan signed the initial agreement with GAM in Switzerland in
May. The humanitarian pause came into effect on June 2 and
expired on Saturday.

"In principle the government will extend it temporarily while
awaiting a new consensus on a more definitive period of time,"
Susilo said.

GAM spokesman Tengku Maad Muda said on Thursday his
organization was ready to accept any decision by the government,
including the termination of the agreement.

"For us, it is OK if the truce is ended or prolonged," Maad
said in Pidie.

The town of Pidie was still 'dead' on Saturday, as most of its
residents had stopped their daily activities since Friday
following a call from local figures, who asked them to fast and
say prayers for peace.

The residents gathered at mosques and said prayers. They said
they hoped that the humanitarian pause would be extended.

In a related development, Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Yusril Ihza Mahendra announced on Friday night the President had
signed two government regulations in lieu of a law dealing with
Sabang Port.

Yusril clearly linked the issuance of the government
regulations with the extension of the truce with GAM, although
the separatist movement is not directly involved in the status of
the port.

The President visited the port, located on the island of Weh,
in January, promising to restore its status as a free port and
bonded zone.

Then president Soeharto revoked its free port status in 1984,
following his decision to establish Batam island as a bonded
zone.

According to the first government regulation issued by
Abdurrahman, as a free port zone, economic activities such as
banking, transportation and tourism will be allowed at Sabang.

To implement this first regulation, the President signed the
second government regulation, which also took effect on Friday.

"Because the humanitarian pause expired on Sept. 2, the
government was facing an emergency situation, which is why we
issued the two regulations," Yusril said.

The government regulations stipulate Sabang is exempt from
customs, excise duties, value added taxes and sales taxes on
luxury goods.

"The return of Sabang's status as a free port and trade zone
is expected to encourage the people of Aceh to pursue economic
activities, so that they will decide to stay with the Republic of
Indonesia," Yusril said after meeting with the President.

Yusril is scheduled to travel to Aceh in the near future to
advertise the benefits of Sabang's new status for the people in
the province.

Sabang Mayor Sofyan Haroen, who accompanied Yusril during the
meeting with Abdurrahman, said Sabang would become the center of
the oil and petrochemical industry, fisheries and tourism.
(prb/51)