Troops reinforcement in Aceh possible, TNI says

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, Aceh

With disarmament in Aceh taking effect within a week, the Indonesian Military (TNI) is preparing for the worst, which could troop reinforcements should violations of the peace deal take place.

Maj. Gen. Djali Yusuf, chief of the Iskandar Muda Military Command overseeing the province, said on Sunday the TNI remained on high alert for any possible disruptions of the cease-fire with the Joint Security Commission (JSC) yet to decide how the disarmament would take place and whether the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) would comply with it.

"The disarmament of the rebels will be a starting point for all parties involved in the peace agreement to show their commitment to the peace agreement.

"I'm not in the position to say whether we will defy or uphold the peace agreement, but as a military man I will be prepared for the worst possibility," Djali said.

The officer refused to disclose the number of reinforcement troops prepared to be sent to Aceh if the peace deal breaks down for any reason, including a refusal by GAM to surrender its arms.

Currently, there are some 22,000 soldiers deployed in the province to back up thousands of police personnel.

According to the peace agreement signed by the Indonesian government and GAM on Dec. 9, 2002, in Geneva, the two parties agreed to promote peace and confidence-building measures within the first two months of the deal, followed by a five-month period for GAM to disarm and for the TNI and police to return to their bases.

The JSC is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the peace accord in the province. It has cited both GAM and Indonesian security personnel for serious violations of the cessation of hostilities agreement. GAM was criticized for two serious violations and Indonesia for one serious violation.

Separately, Indonesian troops took down more than 30 separatist flags in Aceh, witnesses said on Saturday.

Some 20 soldiers overseeing security around an ExxonMobil gas pipeline in Keude Krueng, North Aceh district, lowered the flags from trees and electricity poles in the area, AFP quoted a witness as saying.

One flag was being flown from a flagpole in the front yard of a local elementary school, according to the reports.

"The soldiers were very careful in lowering the flags, fearing that the flagpoles were mined or booby trapped," a witness told local journalists.