Stop fighting in Aceh

Stop fighting in Aceh

JAKARTA: Some 70 student activists, grouped under the Aceh
Coalition of Democratic Societies (KMDA), called on the
Indonesian government and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
on Friday to stop the armed conflict, at least during the Muslim
fasting month of Ramadhan.

The call was contained in an open letter addressed to GAM's
top leader Tengku Hasan Muhammad Tiro and President Megawati
Soekarnoputri, copies of which were made available to the media.

Coalition spokesman Muhammad Saleh pointed out that the call
was issued because both parties had the potential to wage
violence and the violations of human rights.

"As such, the coalition has asked both parties to stop
violence, intimidation and terrorism in Aceh soon," Saleh said.

He made it clear that the call was directed toward exerting
pressure on both the Indonesian military and police, as well as
GAM troops, which have all committed violence and human rights
violations against civilians. --Antara