TNI and police still needed in Aceh

TNI and police still needed in Aceh

In the May 14 edition of The Jakarta Post, critics asked why
the government failed to withdraw troops from Aceh after lifting
the state of civil emergency in the province. The most convincing
answer to the critics was given by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
rebels themselves, by attacking the government recently, wounding
two members of the Indonesian Military (TNI), and leaving two GAM
members dead.

When the government lifted the civil emergency in Aceh, GAM
saw an opportunity to show the people that they were still there
and that the fight to establish a free Aceh was continuing. GAM
wanted to show the Acehnese that they were still alive and
continuing their fight for independence.

This is the reason why a strong TNI and police presence is
still needed to protect the people from GAM. The TNI and the
police would be happy if GAM honored the administrative status of
Aceh, based on the progress of peace talks in Helsinki.

I hope that the critics can see the necessity of maintaining a
strong TNI and police presence to prevent GAM from taking
advantage of the lifting of the state of civil emergency, and to
protect the people and continue with their humanitarian duties.

SOEGIH ARTO, Jakarta