Revision of presidential instruction on Aceh urged

Revision of presidential instruction on Aceh urged

JAKARTA (JP): Observers urged the government on Tuesday to
revise the recently issued presidential instruction on the
approach to be adopted in Aceh, saying that it merely served to
provide a legal basis for the military to stage a comeback in the
troubled province.

Ghazali Abbas Adan, an Acehnese member of the People's
Consultative Assembly, said that the presidential instruction
(Inpres) placed more emphasis on the repressive approach, rather
than dialog and negotiation.

"Those entrusted with bigger roles include the coordinating
minister for social, political and security affairs, the defense
minister, the police and the military, while other ministries and
institutions seem to be subsidiary," he told a discussion here
organized by the National Commission for Missing Persons and
Victims of Violence (Kontras).

Secretary-general of the National Commission on Human Rights
(Komnas HAM) Asmara Nababan doubted that the instruction could
work effectively as there was no guarantee that a revived
military operation would cow the rebellious Acehnese.

Kontras chairman Munarman warned that military operations may
take place in Aceh and that these could end up in international
intervention.

Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 4/2001, which was issued
last Wednesday, is aimed at coordinating the government's six-
pronged approach, which includes political, economic, social,
legal, societal and security aspects, as well as improving
information and communications, so as to restore order and
security in Aceh.

Nababan said the instruction should focus on negotiation,
which was the best solution for Aceh.

"The House of Representatives should also ask for a review,"
he told the press after the discussion.

He argued that the government had been on the right track so
far by engaging in dialog with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM),
which had earlier been facilitated by the international non-
governmental organization The Henry Dunant Center.

However, he said, the government had ignored the chances for
further negotiation provided during the two humanitarian pauses
agreed upon at such meetings.

"It's time for all-out negotiation. The government should send
at least five prominent figures to Aceh to listen to the people's
demands and what the Acehnese have to say about all these
problems," he said.

Ghazali shared Asmara's opinion on the need for a mediator to
help the government and Acehnese seek a solution.

"It can be from another country or an international
institution," he added.

Kontras chairman Munarman warned about military operations
being launched following the issuance of the Presidential
Instruction.

"This country's biggest problem is its uncontrollable
military. Any more mass killings and international troops will
come in. What this country should win is Acehnese hearts and not
only the land," he said.

A ruthless military operation between 1989 and 1998 had only
resulted in prolonged trauma and hatred among the people, he
added.

Meanwhile, the violence continued unabated in Aceh province,
leaving at least 12 people dead and scores injured, officials
said on Tuesday.

Deputy spokesman for the Cinta Meunasah II operation Comr.
Sudarsono said in Banda Aceh on Tuesday that four people,
including an army sergeant, had been killed during an attack
launched by Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels on Simpang
I Krueng Pase, Syamtalira Bayu district in restive North Aceh on
Monday.

Three civilians were also killed during the exchange of fire.

Also in North Aceh, three alleged rebels were shot dead on
Monday by a police patrol in front of the Jeumpa district office
in Geulanggang Teungoh village.

In Central Aceh, gunmen robbed and killed two civilians after
setting their house on fire in Jamur village, Siah district late
on Monday, the officer said.

North Aceh Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wanto Sumardi said that
two rebels were killed on Monday during a gun battle with
security forces in Pulo Lawang village, Bireun regency.

Near the scene of the incident, a soldier was also found dead
with severe slash wounds, Wanto said.

GAM spokesman for the Bireuan area Abu Zarkata admitted that
two of its members were killed in the clash but he strongly
denied the allegation that they had murdered sergeant Armia.

These deaths have brought the death toll in Aceh to nearly
400 this year amid Jakarta's new stance of taking firm action to
defeat the rebels in the resource-rich province. (bby/edt/50/emf)