Military tells GAM to avoid celebrations
The Jakarta Post, Medan/Jakarta
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has warned former Aceh combatants against celebrating the anniversary of their organization, saying it would not be in accordance with the spirit of the peace agreement they signed in August.
Aceh military commander Maj. Gen. Supiadin Adi Saputra said in Medan on Monday that the plan to hold the celebration would reflect the former rebels' half-hearted acceptance of the peace deal, which requires them to drop their long-held demand for independence.
Supiadin said the plan was discussed during a regular meeting with representatives of the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) and Free Aceh Movement (GAM), in which he expressed his objections.
"TNI has no right to ban GAM from organizing the celebration, but I hope they reconsider it. If it involves the institution, then the independence demand is still in their minds," Supiadin said on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the induction of new Bukit Barisan Military commander Maj. Gen. Liliek AS Sumaryo, who replaces Maj. Gen. Tri Tamtomo.
Visiting GAM leader Bakhtiar Abdullah said the celebration would go ahead as scheduled on Sunday, and top brass from the organization were still discussing the format of the event.
A group of Acehnese led by Hassan Tiro founded GAM and declared their fight for an independent state on Dec. 4, 1976.
"The celebration will not go against the peace agreement. Instead we will promote peace and call on GAM members to show their commitment to the agreement during the event," Bakhtiar, a GAM leader in exile, said by phone.
He said no Indonesian institution was authorized to ban the celebration as GAM were no longer waging a campaign for an independent state.
GAM leaders will decide whether the celebration will take place in Banda Aceh or simultaneously across the province, according to Bakhtiar.
In Jakarta, the House of Representatives and the government agreed that GAM was not allowed to celebrate its anniversary if it involved flag raisings or displays of its symbols.
"Any celebration that bears GAM properties, such as flags or symbols, is strictly forbidden, particularly if they raise the spirit of separatism," said Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto said during a hearing with the House's Commission I on defense on Monday.
In their conclusion, the lawmakers suggested that the government ban any celebration of GAM's anniversary on the grounds that it would reignite the spirit of separatism.
Widodo also insisted that GAM submit the names of some 3,000 former combatants for administrative purposes before the government disburses Rp 1 million (US$100) in monthly allowances for each of them, starting in January. The assistance is being given to help them reintegrate into society, as stipulated in the Helsinki peace agreement.