TNI chief offers apology to Acehnese people
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto apologized to the Acehnese people on Friday for what he called the negative impacts of the war there
Evaluating the two-month old military offensive in Aceh, Endriartono admitted that the campaign had brought unnecessary suffering for Acehnese civilians and promised to punish troops committing violations.
Endriartono, who was accompanied by TNI chief for General Affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago, and TNI chief for Strategic Intelligence Lt. Gen. M. Luthvie, was particularly referring to the forced evacuations of tens of thousands of families which, according to him, had created unnecessary misery for civilians.
Placing Acehnese in makeshift refugee camps for the sake of military operation "has only prevented them (Acehnese) from continuing their normal life," he said.
"I do understand that the people there should not suffer from the military operation in Aceh. With some considerations, we (TNI) forced people to leave their homes and take refuge while soldiers tried to root out the rebels who often try to blend with civilians in their villages.
"Even if the refugees stayed in the camps for three or four days only, they found their homes looted when they moved back to their homes. I ask for an apology for that. I don't want people to sacrifice that much," said Endriartono, admitting that certain military personnel were caught stealing the people's belongings.
He also vowed to prosecute soldiers who had allegedly been involved in the looting spree, stressing that "the presence of soldiers in Aceh is to protect civilians, and not to take advantage of their suffering."
Endriartono, however, would not reveal how many soldiers had been questioned in the theft cases.
In an apparent bid to prevent the civilians from being caught in possible clashes between government troops and members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), thousands of Acehnese were ordered to flee their homes and stay in makeshift camps since the government imposed martial law on May 19. Most of the refugees are from regencies identified as GAM strongholds such as Bireuen and Pidie.
But complaints have been raised as the camps provided by the government lacked proper facilities, including clean water and medical services. Some refugees were stricken with serious illnesses, but medical staffers failed to provide medicine for them.
The situation became even worse for them when they found out that their belongings, including refrigerators, vehicles and jewelry, had been stolen. Villagers from Juli district in Bireuen regency who once took refuge at Cot Gapu soccer field were also victims.
A court martial hearing began on Tuesday in the trial of two soldiers suspected of theft during raids on the home of a suspected separatist rebel.
Military prosecutor Maj. Maryanto Bandji accused the pair of taking Rp 2 million (US$242) in cash and 2.6 grams of gold jewelry from a home in North Aceh. They face a maximum of seven years in jail.
Last Saturday a court martial convicted three soldiers for raping four women, with the heaviest sentence being just three years and six months. All of these soldiers were also discharged from military.
In an earlier trial, a military court jailed six soldiers for between four and five months for beating up civilians at Lawang village in Bireuen during the operation.
"My operation in Aceh was aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the Acehnese, so I will not excuse such violations," Endriartono said.