Puteh takes over command in Aceh

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