No decision on Aceh humanitarian pause

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)