Habibie says Aceh referendum impossible
JAKARTA (JP): Aceh students demonstrated in Banda Aceh on Monday, demanding a referendum to determine their own future, while President B.J. Habibie here flatly denied this was possible.
The President also said the reestablishment of the military command scheduled for Wednesday would be postponed.
Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Wiranto confirmed later on Monday that the government had agreed to delay the reestablishment of Iskandar Muda Military Command in response to "people's aspiration."
The general said the government actually had agreed to reopen the military command based on the request of local authorities and its provincial legislative council.
"We will let (the reopening) be decided by the new DPRD (provincial council)," Wiranto said after attending the Council for Enforcement of Security and Law at Bina Graha presidential office.
A cabinet meeting, chaired by Habibie, had decided last week to reopen the military command despite strong opposition from ulema and students, saying it would only add people's suffering.
In Banda Aceh, as East Timorese cast their votes in a number of towns across the country, some 500 Acehnese students marched to the local legislature, repeating demands for a referendum to enable Acehnese to also decide whether to remain within Indonesia or become independent.
Demonstrators occupied the building for two hours before dispersing peacefully without interference from riot troops, who they confronted in a rally on Saturday.
In Jakarta Habibie ruled out the possibility of a referendum.
"There will be no referendum there this year, in the next five years or even the next ten years," chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais quoted Habibie as saying during a meeting with seven leading political parties.
After the meeting Habibie was also quoted as saying by an official from PAN's Aceh chapter, A. Farhan, that he would postpone the reestablishment of the Iskandar Muda Command set for Sept. 1, "both in his capacity as President and commander in chief of the armed forces".
The students in Monday's demonstrations also demanded the withdrawal of all troops and soldiers from remote villages, and the trial of those involved in military atrocities since 1989, when the military operation against separatists began.
Ministers visiting Aceh on Saturday were also reminded of Habibie's promise to end violence and bring justice to the Acehnese.
At the meeting with Habibie, Farhan said the leaders of the seven parties agreed that the establishment of the military command was not yet necessary and should be discussed further by the President and the House of Representatives.
He said the parties suggested that the task of maintaining security in Aceh be entrusted to the National Police.
The other parties attending the meeting were the United Development Party (PPP), the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the Golkar Party, the Islamic Community Party (PUI), the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and the Justice Party.
Police in Aceh are now in charge of special operations against rebels.
Also on Monday, Antara reported that 12,000 hectares of shrimp and fish ponds had been neglected in Pidie, North Aceh and East Aceh.
The head of the provincial fisheries agency, Kasbani Kasim, said in Banda Aceh on Monday that owners were suffering great losses because of the lack of security there.
Thousands of workers have been forced to seek other work.
"Shrimps are a major export to Malaysia and Singapore through Belawan Port in North Sumatra, which yields Rp 10 billion each year in foreign exchange," Kasbani said.
The fear increased when a number of fishery owners and workers became victims of separate killings by unknown people, an owner, M. Yusuf, said. (prb/anr)