Ten killed in Aceh in past 48 hours

Ten killed in Aceh in past 48 hours

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Ten people, including two members of
the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), one Indonesian Marine and six
civilians have been killed in separate incidents over the past
two days in the troubled province of Aceh.

The latest victim of the recent spate of violence was Zaini
Sulaiman, 43, a member of Aceh's provincial legislative
assembly, who was shot dead by an unidentified assailant at his
residence in Darul Imara district, Aceh Besar, at 8 p.m.,
Antara reported.

Aceh Police spokesman Comr. Sudarsono confirmed the incident
and said that Aceh Besar Police were investigating the murder.

On Saturday, an alleged victim of the violence was found dead
at the village of Kutablang in Gandapura district, Bireun
regency, some 200 kilometers from Banda Aceh.

An employee of Banda Aceh Red Cross said that the dead body
was of a 20-year-old man, who had suffered gunshot wounds to the
head.

Meanwhile, five decapitated bodies were found in Jantho
district, Aceh Besar, some 50 kilometers east of Banda Aceh, on
Friday evening.

All the decomposing male bodies were then rushed to Banda Aceh
General Hospital by the Red Cross. "They have been claimed by
their relatives," a Red Cross staffer said.

Earlier on Friday, a patrol by Indonesian soldiers in the
village of Luengsa, Simpang Ulin district in East Aceh, were
ambushed by armed members of GAM, Aceh military spokesman Lt.
Col. Firdaus confirmed on Saturday.

The fatalities were First Pvt. Bambang Sutopo (an Indonesian
Marine) and two unidentified rebels. "The three dead have been
transported to the capital of North Sumatra, Medan," said
Firdaus.

The soldiers were on an operation to find six crew members of
the Ocean Silver tug boat abducted in Aceh by armed rebels last
week, Firdaus said. "The troops also seized an AK-47 rifle, three
Korean-made grenades, military uniforms and other items."

The GAM spokesman for East Aceh, Ishak Daud, said on Saturday
that eight Indonesian soldiers were killed and 11 others were
injured in the ambush, only one GAM member was shot dead.

Marine Operation Commander Lt. Col. Tori confirmed in
Lhokseumawe on Saturday that his men were on a patrol searching
for the six crew members of the Honduran flag carrying marine
vessel who were allegedly abducted by GAM members in the Straits
of Malacca last Tuesday.

Six unidentified armed men attacked the Ocean Silver and
demanded Rp 300 million (US$34,000) in ransom before detaining
six of the ship's crew. The other six crew members were allowed
to go free with the ship, while the barge containing seven tons
of coal was left to float adrift.

The barge carrying coal was found on Friday in the Straits of
Malacca.

GAM also abducted three employees of state-owned television
TVRI on Aug. 5 and a legislator from East Aceh Razali Usman on
Aug. 20.

Megawati

Meanwhile, President Megawati Soekarnoputri has indefinitely
delayed her visit to the restive province scheduled on Sept. 2.

After expressing her apologies to the Acehnese for past human
rights violations, Megawati had planned to visit Aceh to take
concrete reconciliatory measures to resolve the prolonged
problems in Aceh.

Aceh separatists have been fighting for independence for
almost 25 years. Violence has claimed thousands of lives.

The delay was announced after Friday's limited Cabinet meeting
in Jakarta, but the reasons behind the decision were not made
clear.

Governor of Aceh Abdullah Puteh cited technical reasons behind
the delay.

Megawati's plan to visit Aceh has drawn mixed reactions.

GAM spokesman Sofyan Daud said that any visit by Indonesian
officials to Aceh would make no difference in settling the
province's problems.

Hasballah M. Saad, a public figure in Aceh, who was once
minister for human rights said on Saturday that the short visit
(by Megawati) would not resolve the prolonged problems in Aceh.

Farhan Hamid, another legislator, said earlier that Megawati's
visit would be futile and would leave Acehnese indifferent unless
she took sincere humanitarian steps to win the hearts of the
Acehnese people, including the rebels. (50/sur)