Rights minister rules out civil emergency for Aceh

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)