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