Security in Aceh generally improving, police claim

By Muharram M. Nur

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Security in Aceh has generally improved over the past few days although tension remains high in some villages where troops have been raiding places they suspect were Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist hideouts, police spokesman Adj. Cmr. Sad Harunantyo announced on Wednesday.

The national red-and-white flags fly everywhere as Indonesia is bracing to celebrate its 56th anniversary on Aug. 17, on high- rise buildings, along streets and in houses.

Government offices have been adorned with red-and-white ornaments. Motorcycles and cars roam the streets with palm-sized Indonesian flags waving.

This sort of mood has not been common over the past two years, when GAM flags -- the moon and star on a red background -- have dominated the streets. Between 1999 and 2000, graffiti demanding a referendum were ubiquitous. Now, they have been largely cleaned up.

Traffic along the main highway between the capital of North Sumatra, Medan and Banda Aceh has been normal. Business activities along the highway have also returned to normal. Shops are now open until 10 p.m.

However, security checks at about 50 places have delayed the bus journey from Medan to Banda Aceh from the normal 10 hours to 15 hours. Roadblocks are set up in many places along the highway to force vehicles to slow down for security checks.

Passengers complain that there are too many security checkpoints.

"We no longer have time to snooze on the bus during the trip," said Effendi Yusuf, who had just arrived in Banda Aceh from Medan.

GAM leaders claim that the omnipresent red-and-white flags have been raised because of police and military pressure.

"Anyone who refuses to raise the (red-and-white) flag at their residence are subject to murder and their houses set ablaze," said Sofyan Daud, the self-styled spokesman of the Free Aceh Sumatra's army.

But Sofyan's statement was countered by Sad Harunantyo, who said that people raised the flag on their own free will.

He insisted that the people of Aceh have always longed for peace in the province. He charged that GAM activists have been involved in torching houses of local residents and the killing of innocent civilians.

The number of murders remains high. On Wednesday, three people were killed in Aceh Besar alone as the army continued to crack down on rebels.

Sudharsono claimed that all of those killed were GAM rebels.

"The clash broke out when a group of GAM rebels ambushed a joint military and police patrol," he said.

Meanwhile, Ayah Sofyan, GAM spokesman in Aceh Besar, claimed that the three were all civilians killed when the security authorities opened fire indiscriminately at villagers fleeing the military presence.

Also on Wednesday, two bombs went off outside Rawa Sakti Sports Stadium at 5:30 p.m. while a soccer competition was in progress. Nobody was injured in the incident.

Before ascending to the presidency, Megawati Soekarnoputri had pledged that there should be no more bloodshed in Aceh. However, she is yet to see her dream come true. Between her being elected as president on July 23 and Wednesday Aug.1, 43 people had been killed in various incidents in Aceh.

Official figures show that 31 of those killed were civilian (whom the security authorities claim were GAM activists), nine were confirmed GAM members, two were policemen and one was a soldier.

Over 1,000 people have been killed over the past seven months in the restive territory.