TNI applies new tactic in Aceh

Tiarma Siboro and Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Lhokseumawe

After one month attempting to crush independence rebels in Aceh, the Indonesian Military (TNI) says it is to change strategy so as to intensify night operations.

TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto told a press conference the new strategy was aimed at curbing the number of civilian casualties.

"We need some changes to our strategy. Night patrols will avoid civilian casualties as we think most people will stay in their homes at night and only those involved in suspect activities will be outside," Endriartono said during the media briefing to assess the military operation after its being in effect for one month.

"Of course, we will have to provide more military equipment, such as infrared night sights, to enable our soldiers to see in the dark."

So far, only platoon commanders are equipped with night sights.

The government has allocated Rp 1.3 billion (US$158.54 million) to finance the military operation in Aceh.

According to military figures, a total of 202 Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels have been shot dead, and hundreds of others have been captured or have surrendered during the first month of operation, while the TNI has lost 26 soldiers.

The National Police revealed that 108 civilians were killed during the offensive, but Endriartono said this figure needed verifying.

"The police's data is always 24 hours behind ours," Endriartono claimed.

Endriartono said the number of separatists killed during the operation would not indicate the success or failure of the offensive.

"We don't need to kill all the 5,000 rebels. It's more important for us to make them return to the Unitary Republic of Indonesia," he said.

"It wouldn't be a victory for us either if we managed to kill (GAM armed wing commander) Muzakir Manaf or (GAM spokesman) Sofyan Dawood as our concern in this operation is stopping the secessionist movement in Aceh."

Jakarta decided last month to impose martial law in Aceh after GAM refused to meet Indonesia's terms for disarmament and acceptance of Indonesian sovereignty in Aceh.

GAM has been fighting for independence since 1976. More than 12,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since then.

The martial law operation mandates an integrated approach consisting of a military offensive, humanitarian mission, the strengthening of local government, and law enforcement. It is slated to last six months, but may be extended.

The TNI has allocated the first two months of the operation to obtaining territorial control, and the remaining four months to separating civilians from GAM rebels.

Although Endriartono did not clearly spell out if the operation would end quicker than expected, he said the mission would be accomplished if GAM leaders and members surrendered.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu shared his opinion, saying the security operation in Aceh would be completed once civilians felt safe to go anywhere, rather than when all the rebels had been killed.

During Thursday's press conference, Endriartono also admitted poor discipline among soldiers as evidenced by the death of seven in a clash in Matang Kumbang village and military mistreatment of civilians in Lawang village, both in Bireuen.

"Of course, we can't blame the soldiers alone for the violations," he said.

Some soldiers had failed to abide by the military code, which demands that they protect civilians, Endriartono said.

Seven soldiers have been court-martialed for the incident in Lawang, with six of them being sentenced to between four-months and four-months-and-20-days imprisonment. The TNI has also taken the battalion involved in the abuses out of the field.