No decision on Aceh humanitarian pause

JAKARTA (JP): The government said on Tuesday they had not decided whether to extend the humanitarian pause in Aceh, accusing Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists of having abused the three-month accord.

Director General of Political Affairs Hassan Wirajuda of the foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the government is waiting for GAM to show a willingness to improve its actions before extending the accord which runs out on Saturday.

"We will look at the seriousness of GAM in correcting certain things that we think need correction. If they comply we will extend the deal but if not...," said Hassan who was also a signatory to the accord.

"The government has to examine if there is a commitment from GAM to improve their actions. We are very concerned at the way they pressure the local authorities to stop functioning for instance. This was not part of the deal," Hassan said.

Preliminary meetings on a possible extension were held in Geneva on Aug. 6 and Aug. 7. During the meetings, GAM was represented by Zaini Abdillah and Malik Ahmad.

"Back then we said to them, for an extension we will have to see whether there are good intentions from them in following the agreed ground rules from today until Sept. 2," Hassan explained.

He further said that the government will make a final decision on Thursday.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government will wait for a political decision from President Abdurrahman Wahid after the cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday before deciding whether or not to extend the accord.

"We will extend the pause as part of the conflict resolution effort in Aceh, but we will expect everybody to follow the rules if it is to be extended. The government will not hesitate to take stern measures against anyone breaking the rules," Susilo asserted.

Rules

Meanwhile in Aceh, Col. Ridwan Karim, Indonesia's representative on the Joint Committee on Security Modalities, said on Tuesday that the Joint Forum in Geneva had given them 10 days to revise the ground rules for the humanitarian pause.

"We've completed it and it is up to the forum to decide. We will try our best to get these ground rules implemented if the second term of the humanitarian pause is extended," Ridwan told journalists.

Ridwan, however, declined to give details on the revised ground rules.

Aceh Police chief Doddy Sumantyawan said the police are ready to support the extension of the accord if the Acehnese so wish it.

"If the people think it will ensure better security, we're ready to back it up," Doddy said earlier on Monday.

GAM representatives on the Joint Committee on Security Modalities Nasiruddin Daud and Amni Marzuki, were optimistic the pause would continue.

"An indication that the pause will be extended is the fact that a representative of the Henry Dunant Center has been included in a monitoring team. The center used to function only as a facilitator," Nasiruddin said.

"GAM does not want to point the finger at any parties violating the truce. We want an objective international observer to be the judge of this," Amni added.

GAM armed wing commander in North Aceh Abu Sofyan Daud, however, blamed security forces for instigating violence in Aceh.

"As long as they keep launching security operations, we will always take it as a hostile move," Abu said.

Violence, however, continued to rock Aceh on Tuesday.

In Sigli, Pidie regency, 112 kilometers east of Banda Aceh, an alleged gunmen named Mulyan Syahputra was shot dead on Tuesday morning.

The incident took place at around 10 a.m. local time, when a truck full of marines was hit by an explosion on a bridge near Sigli, Pidie Police chief Supt. Endang Emiqail Bagus said.

The marines spotted and chased three men who fled the scene immediately after the blast. "One of them, Mulyan, was shot in the back while the other two escaped," Endang said.

On Monday, an alleged separatist rebel identified as Ramli Ismail, 33, was shot dead by police from the Mobil Brigade (Brimob) in Paya Bakong, Matangkuli district, North Aceh.

"The man shot at Brimob personnel patrolling the area," North Aceh Police chief Supt. Abadan Bangko said.

Since the humanitarian pause took effect on June 2, at least 63 people have been killed. (dja/50/51/edt)