Poll observers banned from 'black areas'

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