Rogue forces exacerbate tension in Aceh

Rogue forces exacerbate tension in Aceh

JAKARTA (JP): A member of the Indonesian Military/National
Police faction in the Aceh provincial council said rogue forces
in the province had exacerbated tensions between security forces
and separatist rebels.

The spokesman of the TNI/National Police faction, Col.
Muhammad Hadis, said in Banda Aceh on Tuesday numerous parties
were exploiting the conflict for their personal interests.

"They are ex-convicts and dismissed TNI or police personnel.
They intimidate, kidnap, murder and rob people," Muhammad told
councillors during a session that also was attended by Governor
Abdullah Puteh.

In the last three years, these people may have stolen hundreds
of millions of rupiah from people in the province, Muhammad said.

"Hundreds of motorcycles and cars owned by the people and the
government, and also a number of mobile phones, have also been
taken by force," Muhammad said as quoted by Antara.

Muhammad, a former Banda Aceh Military District commander,
urged security forces and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to
cooperate to catch these rouge forces, who often pose as security
officials and GAM members.

Separately on Tuesday, an Aceh-based alliance of non-
governmental organizations said it planned to send a delegation
to the annual session of the United Nations Human Rights
Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, next month. The delegation
will ask the International Court to take legal measures against
those who have violated human rights in Aceh.

The alliance's spokesman, Maimul Fidar, said the delegation
would deliver a report on the behavior and policies of Aceh
Police chief Brig. Gen. Chairul Rasjidi and his personnel.

Maimul said the police were guilty of crimes against humanity
because of the major role they played in the violence in Aceh.

"Ever since their operations began during the negotiations
between the Indonesian government and GAM, the situation in Aceh
has deteriorated," Maimul said as quoted by Antara.

Deaths

Separately, at least seven people, one of them a soldier, have
been killed in separate incidents over the past two days.

North Aceh Police spokesman Adj. Comr. Abdi Darmawan said GAM
rebels attacked a car carrying soldiers in Padang Sakti village,
near oil company Exxon Mobil's gas refinery in Lhokseumawe. The
attack occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Monday.

Sergeant Abu Bakar was killed in the attack, while six
soldiers were wounded.

"In the 20-minute shoot-out, Abu was killed while six other
TNI members were critically wounded," Abdi said.

GAM spokesman Abu Sofyan Daud admitted that rebel forces were
responsible for the attack, but he said they thought the soldiers
were thieves who were stealing their car.

Abdi also said another clash took place on Monday afternoon in
Blang Mee, Bireun regency, leaving five soldiers injured.

A third incident on Monday in Pidie regency resulted in the
death of a teenager, identified as Husaini Hanafiah, 18, who
police claim was a GAM rebel.

Pidie Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Heru Budi Ersanto said
Mobile Brigade officers carrying out inspections in Simpang
Geumpung village shot the young man when he attempted to flee.

The GAM spokesman in Pidie, Abu Razak, maintained that Husaini
was a civilian and not a member of GAM.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, five people were found dead in separate
locations in East Aceh. The victims had bullet and stab wounds.

Two bodies were found dead in a ditch in the town of Langsa,
while three bodies were found in Bireun village.

A member of the board of non-governmental organization
Solidarity for Victims of Human Rights Violations, Mohamad Yusuf,
said all of the victims had been missing since Monday night.

All five were civilians.

In a separate development, state-owned oil company Pertamina
cut its oil supply to North Aceh on Monday.

North Aceh Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wanto Sumardi said on
Tuesday someone claiming to be from GAM telephoned a threat to
Pertamina. The unidentified called demanded Rp 1.5 billion
(US$157,894) from the company.

Pertamina has not commented on the threat.

Pertamina's oil supply to Lhokseumawe on Tuesday afternoon was
delivered under tight security. From Lhokseumawe, the oil will be
distributed to other areas in North Aceh.

GAM spokesman Abu Sofyan Daud has denied any threats against
the oil company, describing the story as a lie. He also said that
if the police uncovered the identity of the caller, they should
inform GAM so they could take action.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono
Sutarto said on Tuesday he would not object to withdrawing his
troops from the province if there was an honest demand from the
people of Aceh.

However, he asserted that such a withdrawal must have a
positive impact on the security situation in the province.

"I don't mind withdrawing my troops if I receive a guarantee
that it will lead to improved circumstances for the Acehnese. But
if the withdrawal will only worsen the situation, I will maintain
the troops since their presence there is for the people,"
Endriartono said.

The Indonesian Military reportedly has deployed around 30,000
personnel to the province. (02/50/hdn)