Indonesia gets support against separatism

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)