Peace fading fast after mob attacks E. Aceh JSC office

Peace fading fast after mob attacks E. Aceh JSC office

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

Peace in war-torn Aceh has come under further attack as an angry
mob of 1,500 ransacked and burned a Joint Security Committee
(JSC) office in the East Aceh town of Langsa on Sunday.

It was the second raid on the peace monitors' offices in less
than one month after hundreds of people attacked another JSC
office in Takengon, Central Aceh, ostensibly over what they
called the committee's failure to maintain impartiality.

The JSC's senior envoy, Maj. Gen. Thanungsuk Tuvinun, warned
that the attack would undermine peace in Aceh, which had been
relatively calm since the Indonesian government and Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) rebels signed a truce in peace talks brokered by
the Henry Dunant Centre on Dec. 9 last year.

"It is not just criminal, but could also destroy the peace
process," Thanungsuk told a press conference in Banda Aceh later
on Sunday.

Witnesses said that no police officers were posted around the
JSC office in Langsa during the attack. It had been empty since
March 15, with its six GAM members having left the area for fear
of violence by hundreds of people who had been protesting and
demanding the release of civilians whom they said had been
abducted by the rebels.

Meanwhile, Steve Daly of the HDC's public information unit
condemned the security forces for being reluctant to thoroughly
investigate the attacks and threats faced by the peace monitors.

"They (JSC) is here to safeguard the peace process. They left
their families and children to keep peace in Aceh. But nobody
cares about their security," Daly told The Jakarta Post after the
press conference.

The JSC, comprising international monitors, Indonesian
officials and GAM representatives, was formed by the HDC to
supervise the implementation of the peace agreement.

Witnesses said on Sunday that the attackers, who were
demanding the release of people allegedly captured and held by
GAM, were transported in some 30 trucks and arrived at the scene
at around 9 a.m. They forced their way into the office,
destroying computers and other equipment before setting the
building on fire.

The crowd then moved on to the police station, where they
presented a list of demands, including one urging GAM to stop its
moves against the "Aceh people". The mob also demanded the
dissolution of the JSC for its failure to carry out its duties.
Instead, they demanded that the job be left to the Indonesian
government.

It is reportedly that all JSC offices in Aceh's eight
regencies have faced threats of attack. In response to the
threats, the HDC asked the government to provide security for JSC
members, including protection for monitors in the field as well
as an evacuation process.

The HDC called on the government to take the necessary steps
to prevent other incidents and to apprehend those responsible for
the attacks on JSC officials in Central and East Aceh.

"Now, the HDC's major concern is the security of all
members in each district so that they will be able to
carry out their duties as agreed to and mandated by
the RI and GAM," David Gorman of HDC said.

Gorman further said that the majority of Acehnese people
supported the peace process, but "unfortunately there are some
parties who have chosen to challenge the efforts of the JSC
through violence."

"Those elements are apparently seeking to undermine the peace
process and to ruin the best chance for a solution," Gorman said.

Separately in South Aceh regency, a member of the Army's
Special Forces (Kopassus) was seriously wounded after a group of
gunmen ambushed troops in the North Kluet area close to the GAM
headquarters in Teluk Mangga.

Jakarta, complaining violations of the peace agreement by GAM,
has called for a meeting with the JSC next week to discuss the
future of the peace process in Aceh.