RI asks Thailand to curb arms smuggling to Aceh

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has asked the Thai government to curb arms smuggling from the country to the war-torn province of Aceh and ensure that no Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels seek asylum in Thailand.

During the meeting with Thailand's visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs Surakiart Sathirathai on Friday, Megawati specifically asked the Thai government to look into the issues.

"The President appreciates everything that Bangkok has done regarding the problems, but we hope they can do more," Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said after the meeting.

Hassan said there had been reports of movement of arms from southern Thailand to Aceh. The weapons were leftover from the civil war in Cambodia and were sold cheaply.

"We do not question the Thai government's effort to curb the activities and we will provide information needed to help the efforts," Hassan said.

Surakiart said his government would make sure nobody under its territorial jurisdiction would create problem in other countries.

"Our Prime Minister has repeatedly said that we do not allow anyone to use Thai territory to create any problems in any country," the visiting minister said after the meeting.

He urged the Indonesian government to provide more information about the reports of arms' smuggling.

"If there's any evidence or intelligence information about arms smuggling at all from Thailand let us know. We'll see to it that it will never take place and anyone involved in it will be arrested and penalized according to law," he said.

A GAM member has admitted the rebels acquired some weapons from brokers based in Thailand in exchange for marijuana.

In July last year, police in the southern Thai province of Satun seized a major cache of weapons and ammunition bound for rebels in Aceh.

Two suspects were arrested along with 68 AK-47 rifles, five handguns and ammunition confiscated in the haul.

With the launch of the military operation in Aceh midnight Monday, aimed at "crushing" the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Jakarta has increased its efforts to prevent the smuggling of more weapons to the province.

The Indonesian Navy has deployed 12 warships to secure the sea borders of Aceh, to prevent arms smuggling and possible escape of GAM members to neighboring countries.

During his meeting with Megawati, Surakiart also conveyed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's support for Indonesia's policy in Aceh.

"We express our support, political support, for the policy of the Indonesian government because we do not support the separatist movement," Surakiart said.

The Thai government also offered more assistance to Indonesia in dealing with the rebellion in the province.

Thai soldiers joined the international monitoring team of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) in the province until its collapse last week.

The 40 Thai soldiers, including Joint Security Committee chief Maj. Gen. Tanongsuk Tuvinum, have withdrawn from Aceh.