Security concerns cast doubt over Gus Dur's Aceh visit

Security concerns cast doubt over Gus Dur's Aceh visit

JAKARTA (JP): While President Abdurrahman Wahid's plan to
visit Australia next month is going full steam ahead, a much
shorter trip to the restive province of Aceh has become
increasingly in doubt.

Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said on Thursday the decision to
go ahead with the trip to Aceh, scheduled for Tuesday, would
depend on the assessment of the local situation from the
province's governor.

Presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar also said there were
ongoing consultations between presidential aides and the local
administration in Aceh to decide on whether the trip should still
take place.

However, palace sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
have revealed Abdurrahman's trip to the volatile province might
be called off for security reasons.

Despite talks between the government and separatists from the
Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the situation has deteriorated to the
extent that the government has decided to launch a limited
military operation in the province.

Earlier this week helicopters carrying the entourage of
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro were
shot at during a visit to the ExxonMobil sites in Aceh which have
suspended operations due to the security situation.

No one was hurt in the attack.

Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. said on Thursday that the
government was still "conducting intelligence operations there".

"We will not make a public announcement on when the military
operation will begin for tactical and strategic reasons," Mahfud
told journalists.

Mahfud also revealed that the government would consider
an amnesty for GAM members who surrender.

Elsewhere preparations were underway.

In Surabaya, East Java Military Command spokesman Lt. Col.
Djoko Agus said that as many as 1,300 personnel have been sent to
Aceh.

"About 650 personnel of Infantry Battalion 516, 390 personnel
from Infantry Battalion 507 and the rest, from Battalions 511 and
512 have been sent," he said.

"They have been trained at the Army's Special Force (Kopassus)
training ground in Batu Jajar, West Java," Djoko said.

Indonesian Navy commander Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono on
Thursday also confirmed that marines were being prepared to be
deployed in Aceh.

"We are waiting for instructions from the National Military
Headquarters to send them," he said without revealing the number
of marines to be deployed.

"All Navy personnel are ready to defend the unitary state
wherever and whenever," Indroko asserted after inaugurating a
Marine Trooper Force and Independent Marine Brigade in
Karangpilang, East Java.

Meanwhile in Aceh, violence wreaked havoc in the newly
established Security Zones in North Aceh.

In North Aceh, the Syamtalira Arun Police subprecint came
under mortar attack at around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

However, spokesman of Cinta Meunasah II operation Adj. Sr.
Comr. Harunantyo told The Jakarta Post by phone from Banda Aceh
that the subprecint was not damaged, but a mortar hit a small
mosque near the post.

"The incident was proof that GAM does not stick to the
agreement on the security zones. This is very tiring. We tried to
be cooperative but if they continue to attack we will have no
choice but to quell them," he said.

Meanwhile, the Atjeh-Sumatra National Liberation Front accused
the Indonesian government of being insincere in implementing the
peace zones agreed by the government and GAM.

"On the first day, there are already reports of violations
committed by Indonesian security forces. We understand this is a
lure to attract our soldiers to retaliate so that they can break
the truce and initiate what they call a Measured and Limited
Military Operation," the Liberation Front said in a statement
signed by spokesperson Abu Isnandar. (02/sur/nur/edt/byg)