Poll observers banned from 'black areas'

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The martial law administrator in Aceh has prohibited foreign poll observers from monitoring the elections in "black areas" in the troubled province of Aceh.

"We are concerned for their security should they insist on monitoring the elections in these black areas," said Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya.

The black areas are those areas where the rebel Free Aceh movement (GAM) still has influence. -- JP