Hamzah Haz calls on Aceh rebels to surrender
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Vice President Hamzah Haz called on members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Friday to give up their struggle for independence and accept the government's planned clemency.
Stating that the government had promised to pardon those who agreed to give up the fight, Hamzah said that it was up to the separatist movement to end the conflict in the province.
"The pardon is our expression of political will to end conflict in Aceh; it is better for GAM members to surrender," the Vice President said on Friday in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, as quoted by Antara.
Hamzah's surrender call came just days before the secessionist movement celebrates its anniversary on Dec. 4.
Over 1,000 GAM members have been killed and some 2,000 others have surrendered to the Indonesian Military (TNI) since the government launched what it termed an integrated operation aimed at flushing out the secessionist movement from the country's westernmost province on May 19, 2003. Over 300 civilians have also been killed since then.
GAM has been fighting for independence for the province since 1976, and more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since then.
The government has promised to grant an amnesty to GAM members who surrender to the government.
Details of the amnesty scheme, however, are being discussed by the government and are expected to be completed in four months as they will require approval from the House of Representatives.
The policy was announced on the same day the government unveiled its decision to extend martial law in the province for another six months, early in November.
"For us the sooner they pledge loyalty to the country, the sooner peace will reign in Aceh," said Hamzah, adding that the public should not blame the government for the ongoing war in the province.
Meanwhile, sporadic clashes between government troops and Acehnese rebels continue unabated, despite the Idul Fitri celebrations.
Security officers have also been intensifying their operations ahead of Dec. 4.
At least three people were found dead in the past two days following sporadic gunfights between the rebels and TNI personnel.
Spokesman for the military operation in Aceh Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said on Friday that two GAM members had been shot dead, while another, Zulkifli bin Musa, 20, was arrested.
One of those killed was identified as Aricadi, 51, who was shot dead in North Aceh regency. He was one of the most wanted rebels on the intelligence officers' list.
In a separate incident in East Aceh, an unidentified rebel was found dead after a gunfight. The TNI recovered 30 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition from the dead rebel.
On the same day, another unidentified body of a man with gunshot wounds was also found in Alur Salawi village, Aceh Tamiang regency.
"The man had sustained gunshot wounds to his right arm and the left side of his chest. The remains were taken to the nearby hospital," the spokesman said.
In the town of Sigli, Pidie regency, an unidentified group of four men threw a handmade bomb at the office of state-owned telecommunications company Telkom on Friday.