Troops in Aceh to be redeployed

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)