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)