Mega to discuss Aceh, military ties with Qaddafi

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri will discuss the Aceh question and military cooperation with Libyan President Moammar Qaddafi when the latter pays a state visit to Indonesia in late February, a Cabinet minister says.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Saturday that the visit would be a return visit as Megawati visited Tripoli in September last year.

"We are discussing various forms of military cooperation and we have discussed the Aceh issue with Libya," Hassan said when asked about the planned visit.

"The visit aims to follow up various agreements made between the two countries during President Megawati's visit to Tripoli," he said.

On the sidelines of his visit, Qaddafi is expected to attend the International Conference of Islamic Scholars organized by the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama between Feb. 23 and Feb. 26.

Megawati was among the first heads of state to visit Tripoli after the United Nations lifted economic sanctions imposed against Libya in 1998, as a result of the bombing of a United States commercial flight above Lockerbie, Scotland in 1986.

Bilateral relations between Indonesia and Libya date back to the 1950s but Indonesia did not open an embassy in the country until 2002.

In 2000, former president Abdurrahman Wahid invited Qaddafi to attend a international Muslim preachers' gathering here, but the latter declined.

During Megawati's visit to Tripoli last year, Qaddafi promised to assist Jakarta in trying to put an end to the separatist movement in Aceh, as many of its leaders, including its military commander Muzakkir Manaf, received military training in the North African country.

The separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has been fighting for independence for Aceh since 1976. Over 10,000 people, mostly innocent civilians, have been killed since then.

The government launched an integrated operation in May last year aimed at cracking down on the separatist movement. Over 1,000 GAM rebels have reportedly been killed since then, and over 2,000 others have been arrested or have surrendered to security officers.

Underlining his support for Indonesia's territorial integrity, Qaddafi also promised to identify suspected Aceh rebels who had reportedly undergone military training in Libya.

"In principle, Libya supports the unitary state of Indonesia and will not assist any separatist movement in Indonesia," Megawati said after meeting Qaddafi last year.

Hassan said on Saturday that the two countries were currently discussing the date of the planned state visit. However, it was reported earlier that the three-day visit would begin on Feb. 10.

During Megawati's visit to Tripoli last year, the two governments finalized a countertrade deal with crude oil in exchange for commodities and military accessories.

The deal covered 5,000 barrels of Libyan crude oil per day for Indonesian commodities such as building materials, textiles, furniture and military accessories.

The crude oil was worth about US$40 million per month and was to be delivered starting early this year.

Libya has also asked for Indonesia's assistance in the construction field.