TNI to mount hunt for top GAM leaders as offensive extended

TNI to mount hunt for top GAM leaders as offensive extended

2Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe
Aceh Darussalam

The Indonesian Military (TNI) plans to intensify its manhunt for
five leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) during the second
six-month period of martial law in the province.

Aceh martial law administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya said
on Wednesday the military would focus its operation on tracing
the movement of the most-wanted rebels, as well as cutting off
the group's supply of arms and logistics.

"We have not succeeded in capturing the rebel figures. Our
challenge is to intensify our operation," Endang said.

He was referring to GAM chief commander Muzakir Manaf, Darwis
Jeunib, the GAM commander overseeing Jeunib, GAM spokesman Sofyan
Dawod, Ishak Daud, the GAM commander overseeing Peurelak, and
Tengku Abraham Muda.

Endang also said the military had located the routes where the
rebels were bringing in arms along the province's eastern coast.

During the first six months of martial law in Aceh, which
ended on Wednesday, the military captured 37 of about 140 top GAM
figures.

Also during that period, 1,106 suspected GAM members were
killed and 488 weapons seized. Another 1,544 suspected rebels
were captured while 504 separatists surrendered.

Endang said after six months the strength of GAM had been
reduced to 45 percent, but a more intensive military operation
was needed as the guerrillas remained in control of about 70
percent of their arms.

"Due to the GAM's possession of arms, we need an extension of
martial law," Endang said.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri signed a decree extending
martial law in Aceh for another six months on Tuesday, on the
grounds that the first six months of the military operation "has
not yet achieved the maximum results, as seen by the existence of
remaining members of GAM".

The military lost 76 soldiers and the police 13 personnel
during the offensive to crush the rebels. The conflict has also
claimed the lives of 395 civilians, including two foreigners.

Another 157 civilians are reportedly being held hostages by
GAM, including RCTI journalists Ersa Siregar and Ferry Santoro.

Endang said only 273 of about 6,000 villages in the province
were under the total control of the military. No fewer than 1,000
military officers have been assigned to the villages to help
local administrations fight insurgency.

The second six months of the military operation will be led by
Brig. Gen. George Toisutta, formerly the Jakarta Military chief
of staff. He will replace Maj. Gen. Bambang Darmono.

TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto will officiate the transfer
of duty in Banda Aceh on Saturday.

Bambang is being reassigned to the TNI Headquarters as chief
of staff in charge of people's welfare.