Indonesia gets support against separatism

MANILA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid gained regional support in fighting successionist groups in Indonesia on Sunday, and pledged that he would defend the integrity of the nation "at all costs".

While Abdurrahman's presence at a summit of East Asian leaders here was not specifically aimed at curtailing support for Acehnese separatism, the issue was notably mentioned, in particular by the hosts, and was a boost for Indonesia's new president.

One paragraph of the 39-point Chairman's Statement, read out by Philippine President Joseph Estrada after the summit, spelled out the clear view of all 13 leaders.

"President Abdurrahman Wahid of Indonesia briefed the meeting on the latest developments in Aceh. In this connection, the heads of state/government reiterated their full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia," point seven of the statement read.

The informal summit was attended by leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- along with China, Japan and South Korea.

Usually ASEAN refrains from directly delving into members' domestic issues.

Aceh was among the several regional political and economic issues touched on in the one-day summit and the Chairman's Statement.

Speaking to journalists, Estrada again underlined that "Aceh is part of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia."

He said no one should draw similarities between it and East Timor which broke away from Indonesia after the Aug. 30 ballot.

"This is different from East Timor," Estrada said. "We are supporting Indonesia to protect its territorial integrity."

Separately, Abdurrahman said he was deeply encouraged by the moral support, stressing that he did not perceive it as domestic interference.

He expressed a hard line when asked about continued demands for an independent Aceh, "We will defend our territorial integrity at all cost".

The restive province has seen increased calls for independence in recent months. Abdurrahman said he would support a referendum there but only for the option of implementing Islamic law, not independence.

Sources said the initiative to discuss the Aceh issue and put it into the Chairman's Statement came especially from Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, following Abdurrahman's own willingness to openly discuss the issue.

When asked to confirm whether he would go to Aceh next week, Abdurrahman retorted he would only go after the government had formulated its final offer on Aceh.

But Aceh is not the only troubling development in Indonesia, and Abdurrahman seemed at a loss when asked about sectarian clashes in Maluku which have claimed over 550 lives.

He conceded that the problems there were very complicated.

"It is not easy to solve," he said.

Abdurrahman's press briefing in the end turned to be somewhat of an embarrassment to Minister of Industry and Trade Yusuf Kalla, who was also present.

When an Indonesian journalist asked the minister to comment on the economic aspects of the summit, Abdurrahman mistook the question for one addressed to himself and thought it pertained to allegations Yusuf was being investigated for corruption.

"There is still no decision from the attorney general on him," Abdurrahman remarked, as a bemused and speechless Yusuf looked on.

Clash

Meanwhile it was reported that in Banda Aceh a clash broke out between soldiers and a crowd of about 50 men in Lamtamot village, Seulimun district, West Aceh, late Saturday.

Indonesian Military (TNI) sources claimed that a crowd of 50 people were illegally checking and inspecting vehicles when they stopped a car carrying six TNI members.

However, a local daily wrote the incident occurred as soldiers tried to disperse the residents marching to a Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rally.

Banda Aceh Military Commander Lt. Col. Ferdinan confirmed the incident and claimed that the dispute broke out, when, after stopping the vehicle containing soldiers, one of the locals pulled out a sharp weapon and stabbed a soldier.

"The soldiers were forced to open fire because they had to defend themselves amid such sweeping operations," Ferdinan said.

As the situation remained tense throughout the province, the exodus out of it continued.

In Malahayati seaport in Aceh Besar, people flocked to the port waiting to be shipped out of the province on Sunday.

At least 700 people boarded the Sangiang which was headed for a North Sumatran port. The ferry normally accommodates just 500 passengers.

At another part of the seaport, hundreds of personnel from the National Police's Mobile Brigade arrived.

They were picked up by at least four trucks. The fully armed entourage was tightly guarded heading to Banda Aceh.

In a separate development, two French tourists were killed in a traffic accident in Banda Aceh on Saturday.

They were identified them as Vincent Cueschaoi, 28, and Pompac Williem, 28.

The two were riding a motorbike in Banda Aceh when they brushed into a truck at Jl. Simpang Rima and were dragged several meters.

They were taken to hospital where they later died due to their wounds. (emf/50)