Press, GAM's

Press, GAM's next target

From Media Indonesia

The Free Aceh Movement (GAM), apparently desperate, is shifting its target to the press, with many cases of attacks on journalists. Idrus Jeumpa from Medan's Waspada daily in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, is one of the victims of GAM's atrocities. His wife was killed and his children suffered gunshot wounds.

GAM is losing ground to the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police; with a lot of followers surrendering themselves to security forces it has turned to unarmed newsmen as easy prey. Perpetrators of any assault on journalists must be severely punished because they violate press freedom and the Geneva convention on protection of civilians, including journalists.

GAM's cruelties can therefore no longer be tolerated and must be opposed by means of a boycott, one of the most effective weapons of journalists.

JOKO SUSILO Jakarta