TNI hails Bakhtiar's return to Aceh

BANDA ACEH: The Indonesian Military (TNI) hailed on Tuesday the return of a top leader of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Bakhtiar Abdullah, to his homeland.

His homecoming is proof of GAM's seriousness in implementing a peace agreement to end nearly three decades of separatist fighting, Aceh's Iskandar Muda military commander Maj. Gen. Supiadin said.

"That's good. It signifies that GAM is more serious. He (Bakhtiar) took part in peace negotiations with us," he said.

Supiadin hoped Bakhtiar would further disseminate information on the implementation of the peace deal, signed on Aug. 15 in Finland by the government and GAM, to all GAM members following several recent incidents of violence in Aceh.

"His return will serve to prevent different interpretations among GAM members on the peace deal," Supiadin.

He appealed to other exiled GAM leaders, including Hasan Tiro and Malik Mahmud, to also return to Aceh.

Bakhtiar arrived in Banda Aceh on Monday after 25 years of self-exile overseas. --JP