More clashes in Aceh as JSC starts its work

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh

Rebel and government troops in Aceh clashed again in another violation of the 11-day old peace agreement, while a joint committee in charge of implementing the agreement began its first day of work on Friday.

Troops from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian Military (TNI) exchanged fire for some 25 minutes at Makmur village in North Aceh on Thursday, Antara reported, quoting the province's military chief, Maj. Gen. Djali Yusuf.

According to Djali, GAM ambushed the TNI soldiers. He said one soldier was injured when he fell off a truck after a bomb exploded nearby.

There was no confirmation from GAM. Aceh's Deputy Commander of Security Restoration, Brig. Gen. Bambang Darmono, said a convoy of three trucks carrying supplies from Lhokseumawe in North Aceh was attacked by GAM about five kilometers from the nearest military post. A bomb stopped the convoy before the rebels opened fire from all sides.

He said soldiers returned fire and the convoy was eventually able to escape the ambush and continue its trip.

Thursday's clash marked the latest in a string of skirmishes between GAM and TNI.

Security in Aceh has improved since GAM and the government signed a landmark peace deal on Dec. 9, but sporadic fighting and killings continue.

On Monday, GAM accused soldiers of kidnapping 20 villagers, eight of whom were found dead while the remaining 12 are still missing. The number of reported deaths has reached 10 since the peace deal was signed.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Wednesday the police would investigate 26 violations of the peace deal.

Government and GAM negotiators warned of such violations, but said the first month of the agreement was critical in making the deal last. A two-month grace period allows the two sides to monitor each others' compliance with the agreement.

Confidence building and peacekeeping measures are seen as vital for getting the deal past the grace period and into the next stage of weapons handovers and troop redeployments.

The Joint Security Committee (JSC), in charge of monitoring the truce, began its first day of work on Friday. The JSC includes representatives from GAM, the government and foreign observers under the Henry Dunant Centre (HDC), which facilitated the peace process.

The JSC's 150 members will monitor the cease-fire, investigate violations and restore security if the situation worsens. The committee also will flesh out the details of GAM's weapon placements and TNI's troop relocations.

The JSC began its work on Friday with a full-day introductory meeting of the three parties on the committee.

"We're determined to work together as best as possible on the principles of brotherhood, so that the signed peace agreement can work effectively," said the HDC head in Aceh, David Gorman, as quoted by Antara.

GAM has been fighting for an independent state in the natural resources-rich province since 1976. More than 10,000 people have died in the violence.