Military personnel to secure Arun gas field

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): More than 2,000 military personnel are expected to be deployed along the 80-kilometer gas production and distribution line of PT ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia in Lhok Sukon, East Aceh, ahead of the giant gas company's plan to resume operations later this month.

The commander of the military operation in Aceh Brig. Gen. Zamroni told reporters in Lhokseumawe that the military personnel would consist of joint military battalions currently assigned in the strife-torn province.

"Three battalions will safeguard the 80-kilometer gas production route surrounding the Arun gas field, in a bid to support ExxonMobil's plan to resume operations," Zamroni said.

A battalion normally comprises 700 personnel.

Zamroni did not elaborate on the military battalions or when the deployment would begin.

Earlier ExxonMobil announced that operations would resume at the end of this month or early July.

The giant gas company completely halted its Arun operation in mid-March reportedly due to heightened threats and intimidation from armed groups, believed to be members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Aceh has been the site of prolonged violence with separatist groups and security forces locked in almost daily clashes. Thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the violence.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro also said that he expects operations to begin in phases starting in June.

He claimed that some 200 employees of the American-based company had already returned to work.

He said the Indonesian government could understand the apprehension of the company, hence their decision to resume operations in phases.

"To resume full operations is not easy. It has to be in phases, and the actual reserves in Aceh also have to be taken into consideration," the minister said.(50/emf)