Three policemen killed in Aceh

Three policemen killed in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): At least three policemen were killed
when separatist rebels ambushed on Sunday a convoy of trucks
carrying a detachment of Police Mobile Brigade personnel in the
Geureutee area, some 60 kilometers southeast of Banda Aceh.

Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels sprayed bullets on trucks
carrying police personnel home from a patrol in Meulaboh.

Police reportedly found it difficult to fire back as the hilly
terrain obstructed them from locating the attackers.

Both police and GAM members confirmed the attack, which
occurred at about 2:30 p.m.

Aceh Police spokesman Maj. Said Husaini identified the dead as
Pvt. Titit Subarkah, Pvt. Muriadi and Pvt. Widodo.

It is unclear how many police personnel were aboard the
trucks, with reports varying on the number of trucks from two to
six.

The number of fatalities could rise as three others -- Pvt.
Suyitno, Pvt. Sigit and Sgt. Soni Simatupang -- are in critical
condition and are being treated at Banda Aceh General Hospital.

"Rescuers and reinforcements are still evacuating the rest of
the victims. We have no idea of their status," Said warned.

He expressed deep regret over the incident, saying that the
attack was beyond tolerance.

"The officers were on their way home to their base. Why did
they have to be shot at?" he said.

Journalists and curious locals who went to the hospital were
turned away.

"We're still very angry here. This is not a scene. So please
leave," said one officer.

A GAM spokesman in Mereuksa Daya, Abu Tausyip, claimed
responsibility for the attack, calling it "retaliation against
military and police atrocities in Aceh".

Abu claimed that at least 20 Mobile Brigade officers were
killed in the clash, and that at least 10 others were wounded.

He based the calculations on the fact that each truck was
carrying 30 police officers.

Police fatalities continued to increase on Sunday, when in a
separate incident in South Aceh another policeman was shot dead
by an unidentified man.

Sgt. Maj. Soemartoyo of South Kluet subprecinct was 300 meters
away from his office on his way home early on Sunday morning when
he was killed.

"The attacker hid behind a bush and sprayed bullets at him.
The culprit then ran away," Said explained.

According to the acting South Aceh Police chief, Lt. Col.
Teuku Keumala, a special team has been set up to track down the
culprits of the ambushes, which have heightened in the past two
weeks.

"I urge all officers to be more alert, but avoid retaliating.
No matter how hard conditions are, we have a duty to protect the
innocent," he said.

Malaysia

Despite the daily casualties, House of Representatives (DPR)
Speaker Akbar Tandjung expressed confidence on Saturday that
security forces could overcome separatist rebels in Aceh.

"In a bid to confront GAM, it is important that TNI avoid any
casualties, especially among the Acehnese," Akbar said in
Semarang, Central Java.

"But if (the separatist) mix with locals ... greater civilian
casualties will be inevitable.

"Therefore, TNI must be cautious in handling this. I believe
the military will be able to do so," Akbar told journalists after
meeting with hundreds of native Javanese transmigrant settlers
who fled Aceh following continuous threats and terror campaigns
by GAM.

Akbar urged the government to soon restore social and economic
activities in the riot-torn province as promised.

Meanwhile from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian foreign minister Syed
Hamid Albar said his country was prepared to play mediator for a
solution in Aceh if requested by Indonesia.

"We regard Indonesia as a close neighbor and we can provide
whatever they feel we can contribute to fulfill their wish and
aspiration in the context of bilateral relations," he told
Bernama news agency.

"The important thing is that we want to see Indonesia return
to normal ... its economy revived and Indonesia's integrity as a
nation defended at all times."

While Malaysia is ready to assist to ensure Indonesia's peace
and well-being, which is significant to regional stability, Syed
Hamid said it could not take the initiative.

"We cannot on our own offer ourselves as intermediary or
peacemaker there," he said.

"We believe Indonesia can overcome their problems and have
their own formula. If they feel Malaysia can play a role, we can
do it, but this will have to be discussed in detail."
(50/har/edt/sur)