More clashes in Aceh as JSC starts its work

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.