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)