Martial law authorities delay move of GAM prisoners to Java

Martial law authorities delay move of GAM prisoners to Java

The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Semarang/Denpasar

The martial law administration in Aceh announced on Tuesday a
delay in the transfer of 143 Free Aceh Movement (GAM) prisoners
to Central Java, citing transportation problems.

Spokesman for the martial law administration Col. Ditya
Sudarsono said the Air Force, which had earlier promised to
provide a Hercules airplane, failed to confirm its commitment
until the last minute.

The first batch of 89 convicted rebels would have to leave
Aceh for Java on Wednesday.

"We may be unable to transport the prisoners by air and will
use Navy ships instead. The ships are now heading for Aceh
carrying armored personnel vehicles," Ditya said.

He was referring to KRI Gilimanuk and KR Sabang ships which
left Tanjung Priok seaport on Monday for Banda Aceh.

Since martial law began in May 2003, the military has captured
1,553 rebels, 756 of them have been sentenced.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Raider combat troops were dispatched to
Aceh on Tuesday to replace existing troops fighting rebels in the
province since martial law commenced last May.

Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Supiadin YAS sent off a
battalion of Raiders from Benoa seaport, charged with finding and
neutralizing Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels.

The battalion comprises 747 soldiers, divided into 29 combat
platoons. It completed a special six-month long training course
in Batujajar, West Java, with nine other battalions from regional
military commands countrywide.

"They (the Raiders) have the ability to move undetected into
GAM areas and launch sudden attacks that will inflict significant
damage on the enemy," Supiadin said.

Navy landing ship KRI Teluk Langsa will take the soldiers to
Aceh in seven days.

Hugs and tears marked the farewell for the troops from their
families and relatives.

"We have only been married for two months," a soldier's wife
said.

"I will not wash this handkerchief," a young woman said,
referring to the hanky her boyfriend, a soldier, had used to
wipe the tears from her face.

Meanwhile in Semarang, Army Strategic Reserve Command chief
Lt. Gen. Bibit Waluyo sent off another battalion of Raiders from
Tanjung Mas seaport.

It was the second Aceh stint for the 747 soldiers after the
mission in April last year. They had returned to Java for a six-
month training in Cilacap, Central Java, which concluded in
December.

They head for Aceh using Navy warship KRI Teluk Kao 504. In
Aceh they will be posted in Pidie and East Aceh, areas known for
being rebel strongholds.