Military changes tactics in Aceh war to wipe rebels
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
More than two months into the integrated operation in Aceh, the government is now changing its tactics in cracking down on the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Tuesday that the government would intensify its intelligence gathering operations in the troubled province as the rebels there had now underground.
"As we are focusing on hunting down GAM leaders, we will intensify our intelligence operations," Susilo said after chairing a meeting on political and security issues here on Tuesday.
Calling on GAM rebels to surrender as soon as possible, Susilo said the security authorities had identified the hiding places of GAM members.
"The government will carry out all efforts to restore security in Aceh within the six-month period of martial law there.
"I say that intelligence operations are required because of the field situation there," Susilo said, referring to GAM's guerilla war tatics.
Jakarta imposed martial law in Aceh in May 19.
Besides crushing the separatist movement, the integrated operation is also aimed at enforcing the law, strengthening the civil administration and provide humanitarian assistance.
The military had earlier increased the number of its nighttime operations, claiming that this was intended to reduce the number of civilian casualties.
To date, the military says that at least 383 suspected GAM members -- who have not been allowed to be accompanied by lawyers during interrogation -- have been arrested while some 699 others have been killed.
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto earlier revealed that the military had already spent Rp 600 billion of totaling Rp 1.3 trillion in funds allocated to security operations in Aceh.
Susilo, however, refused to disclose the budget that had been allocated for other operations, arguing that "the integrated operation is still underway and indeed there are still some operational goals that required more funds."
The minister also said that the security authorities in Aceh had been ordered to increase the protection afforded to journalists covering the situation in the province as well as others who might be considered by GAM as damaging their cause.
This comes in response to the kidnapping of an RCTI TV crew, along with three local people, on June 29, none of whom have been released by GAM thus far.