Puteh takes over command in Aceh

BANDA ACEH: Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh will take over command in troubled Aceh on Monday, officially ending the one- year period of martial law in the country's westernmost province.

Aceh Secretary Thantawi Ishak said on Sunday that the handing- over of command from the martial law administrator, Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya, to Puteh as civilian emergency administrator would be witnessed by ad interim coordinating minister for political and security affairs Hari Sabarno, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, and National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bahctiar.

He stressed, however, that even though Puteh took over command, the so-called integrated operation would continue, even though Aceh's official status had changed.

The integrated operation, comprising security, law enforcement, local administration strengthening, and humanitarian operations, was introduced when the government imposed martial lwa in Aceh to eradicate the secessionist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) from the province. --Antara