Troops in Aceh to be redeployed

By Imanuddin

BANDA ACEH (JP): The Indonesian Military will soon redeploy Crack Riot Troops (PPRM) fighting separatist guerrillas in Aceh to strategic locations in the province or return them to barracks, Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Wiranto said here on Wednesday.

The military, however, will declare a state of emergency in Aceh if separatist rebels continue employing violence and the situation becomes uncontrollable, he said.

Addressing a meeting of some 300 local political, social, religious and youth leaders here, Wiranto said the troop redeployment was part of the government's commitment to bring peace and order to the province.

"We can understand the people's aspirations... After observing the number of victims, TNI has decided to immediately withdraw its PPRM troops from their respective operation zones and deploy some of them to safeguard strategic projects in the province.

"While others will be sent back to their barracks to get ready to protect the Acehnese from any security disturbances," he said.

Wiranto was accompanied by National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi, the military's intelligence chief, Lt. Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, Ministry of Defense and Security secretary-general Lt. Gen. Fachrul Razi and chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago.

Wiranto said the troop withdrawal would occur by Aug. 23 at the latest.

He said the withdrawal would not affect the government's ability to maintain security and order in the province, because police officers would still be present.

The military will temporarily halt its offensive operations -- hunting for separatist rebels and sweeping for weapons -- to prevent more victims among the people, he said.

In return, he said, all members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) must help the government bring peace to the province and put an end to their violent actions.

"They (separatist rebels) must not attack, destroy or burn government and public facilities.

"They must not attack, kidnap or kill security officials and the people," he said.

He called on separatist guerrillas not to disturb the province's economic activities and public transportation.

He also told the rebels not to raise their flag and to hand over their firearms to security officials.

"And if they (separatists) disobey our call, we may take firm action, including declaring a state of emergency," he said.

Saying dialog was the most appropriate solution to Aceh's problems, Wiranto called on all Acehnese to avoid violence in seeking solutions to the province's troubles.

Wiranto said he was ready to help settle Aceh's problems and become part of the solution. "I'm not deaf, because I can hear ... I'm not blind, because I can see ... and my heart is open so that I can feel your problems."

Wiranto said a number of Cabinet ministers would visit Aceh on Aug. 28 to discuss ways to develop the economic potential of the province.

"They will discuss reestablishing seaports and railway stations, as well as increasing the airport's capacity," he said.

Noting the need for a shorter line of command to anticipate security disturbances in the province, Wiranto said the military headquarters would soon reestablish a provincial military command. Currently, the Bukit Barisan Military Command, whose headquarters is located in Medan, North Sumatra, oversees security in Aceh.

"We are ready to reestablish the Iskandar Muda Military Command. We have even prepared a candidate for the commanding post," he said, adding that a native Acehnese might be appointed to the position.

The Iskandar Muda Military Command overseeing Aceh, the 17 Agustus Military Command overseeing West Sumatra and the Bukit Barisan Military Command overseeing North Sumatra, were merged to form the Bukit Barisan Military Command in May 1985. The move was part of a massive reorganization of the Army which saw the number of military commands reduced from 16 to 10.

Leading Acehnese figure M. Noernikmat said after the meeting a group of Acehnese leaders living in Jakarta would soon hold a meeting to discuss efforts to settle the province's problems.

"The meeting will discuss a plan to organize a national meeting of Acehnese living in Indonesia," he said, adding that leading figures of the separatist movement, including Abdullah Syafei, would be asked to attend the meeting.

He, however, dismissed the possibility of inviting Acehnese living abroad.

"They're not Indonesian citizens anymore; they're foreigners," he said, specifically referring to GAM president Hasan Tiro and prime minister Malik, who reside in Sweden and Singapore, respectively.

In a related development, some 40,000 refugees who fled their homes due to the increasing violence in Aceh, have returned to their homes in Bandar Baru subdistrict, Pidie regency.

Some 150,000 people have flocked to various makeshift refugee centers in the province's most volatile regencies -- East Aceh, North Aceh and Pidie. (51)