Rights minister rules out civil emergency for Aceh

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Human Rights Hasballah M. Saad ruled out on Wednesday the possibility of declaring a state of civil emergency in conflict-torn Aceh.

Hasballah was challenging a mounting call for the imposition of the status and said the humanitarian pause was adequate enough to restrain violence in the province.

"I'm strongly against the implementation of a civil emergency in Aceh as it will directly interrupt the ongoing humanitarian pause," Hasballah said before attending a Cabinet meeting at Bina Graha presidential office.

"Only if the situation there becomes uncontrollable, then imposing a civil emergency will be considered."

Violence has marred the humanitarian pause agreed by Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on June 2. The pause is expected to last three months with a possible extension of another three months.

Hasballah said a further evaluation would determine whether the humanitarian pause would continue.

The proposal to impose the civil emergency status was met with opposition in Aceh.

"What we need is a prolonged humanitarian pause and an urgent economic recovery program. If peace has not returned to the Malukus despite the civil emergency status, why try it in Aceh?" questioned councillor Mustafa A. Geulanggang of the United Development Party (PPP).

At least 53 people have been killed since the signing of the peace accord in Geneva on May 12.

On Wednesday, two alleged rebels were shot dead in a fire exchange with military troops in Simpang Sandi in Kutamakmur district, North Aceh at about 11 a.m. Wednesday, local police chief Supt. Syafei Akal said.

Separately, in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, the Belawan port officials seized some 300 copies of the SUWA tabloid belonging to the Center for Information on Referenda in Aceh (SIRA) for its alleged subversive content and support of GAM.

Chief of Belawan Port administration Col. Barzuweh said on Wednesday that in its latest edition the tabloid ran a story titled "RI cons the incapacitation of DPRD/Provincial Administration, Aceh on the brink of transition" which "not only exaggerates, but discredits the country." (39/50/edt/prb)