President Megawati visits forces in isolated Aceh

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh

After more than one year of the military operations that started in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam in May 2003, President Megawati Soekarnoputri for the first time on Thursday visited soldiers and police in an isolated area of the war-torn province.

During the 15-minute visit to Alue Gintung village in Aceh Besar regency, Megawati expressed appreciation to the reinforcement troops deployed to the province, and promised to pay more attention to their welfare.

"I have been planning to see all of you here. I am grateful that I finally have the chance to meet our troops as they carry out the noble duty of defending the country's territorial integrity," she said.

The President further promised to improve the welfare of military and police personnel, and ordered that none of them should be required to serve in conflict zones for longer than 12 months.

"I have asked that none of our soldiers should have to stay in conflict areas more than one year. As a mother and as the President, I would ask you to take good care of your health and safety as your families are waiting for you at home," she remarked.

Thursday's visit to Aceh was the second for Megawati since she placed the province under martial law on May 19, 2003, for a period of one year. It was her fourth visit to the province since she was elected President in 2001.

Since last May, Aceh has been administered by the civil emergency authorities. However, the military operation has continued against Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels, who have been fighting for independence since 1976.

The military offensive was launched after a peace deal between the government and GAM leaders broke down in 2003.

"You were sent here because the negotiations for peace between the government and GAM failed. GAM refuses to acknowledge that Aceh is part of Indonesia," Megawati told the troops during the meeting in the isolated area of Alue Gintung.

The village, which is surrounded by tropical forest, used to be a GAM strongholds.

During the visit, the President was tightly guarded by police and military personnel, who had been on high alert for two days prior to her arrival.

She was accompanied by Aceh civil emergency administrator, Insp. Gen. Bachrumsyah Kasman, Aceh military commander Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya, Minister of Culture and Tourism I Gede Ardhika, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar and Indonesian Military chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto.

Upon her arrival by helicopter, she was greeted by some 1,000 soldiers and police officers, who all tried to shake hands with her.

After the visit, she flew back to Banda Aceh to open the Acehnese Cultural Festival before flying back to Jakarta.

The one-week festival features artistic performances from 21 regencies across the province.

Megawati has become more open and communicative with the public since she started campaigning for her first full five-year term. She is due to go up against front-runner Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, her former chief security minister, in the presidential election runoff on Sept. 20.