SIRA activists stage protest

JAKARTA (JP): More than 100 activists of Aceh's Information Center for Referendum (SIRA) staged protest in front of the Netherlands Embassy here on Tuesday, Antara said.

The group, wearing white head banners signed "SIRA" were waving posters and banners, demanding the United Nations to initiate a referendum in Aceh and asking for international support in a bid to set cease-fire in the disputed province.

The protesters also demanded the abortion of the planned limited military operation in Aceh, as stated in the group's flyers signed by Chief of Organizing Committee Tarmizi, SIRA's Jakarta chief Faisal Saifuddin and SIRA's Presidium executive Ridwan M.

The demonstration caused heavy traffic congestion in the area near the embassy on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said.

The group have staged a similar four-day in a row protest at the embassy early last week as they claimed that "the Dutch had lost the war with Acehnese in 1873 and therefore Aceh is a free region". (edt)