Truce takes effect in Aceh despite murder of rebel leader

Truce takes effect in Aceh despite murder of rebel leader

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The three-month long truce between the
Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist
rebels officially took effect on Friday, despite the murder of
rebel leader Teuku Don Zulfahri in Malaysia on Thursday.

Security in the strife-torn province was generally good for
the landmark day although rain poured on the capital city of
Banda Aceh. There were a few incidents of locals hoisting the GAM
flag in the area, but no clashes were reported.

The Indonesian government and GAM issued a joint statement to
mark the start of humanitarian pause, with both pledging to
restore security and order within the period.

"We believe that the conflict between the two forces has
caused tremendous suffering in Aceh. We are committed to finding
ways to successfully stop the violence here," reads the
statement, signed by Col. Ridwan Karim on the government's behalf
and GAM representative Nasiruddin bin Ahmad.

Also attending the joint press meeting at Hotel Kuala Tripa
were State Minister of Human Rights Hasballah M. Saad and Aceh
Governor Syamsuddin Mahmud.

"We will respect the agreement signed by our representatives
in Geneva on May 12 and we are ready to work together," Ridwan
told the media here, adding that the security committee was set
to promote the peace pact to the Acehnese people.

The other joint committee formed as part of the implementation
of the peace accord will ensure the effective delivery of
humanitarian relief.

Members of the humanitarian committee are T. Kamaruzzaman,
Iljas Muhammed Abed, Cut Nurasikin, Hasbi Abdullah and Sofjan
Ibrahim Tiba from GAM. The government representatives are Naimah
Hasan, Yunus Ilyas, Ridwan Husen, T. Kamal and Rusli Wahid.

The security modalities committee will focus on reducing
violence, including to guarantee the halt of all military action
and ensure the police function in maintaining law and order in
the province.

Violence has persisted since the joint humanitarian pause was
signed in Davos, Switzerland on May 12. The Human Rights Forum in
Aceh (FP-HAM) noted 31 people have been killed and 36 others
injured in a spate of violence dating back from that historic
day.

"The level of violence seemed to increase prior to the start
of the pause," the forum's spokesman Yarmen Dinamika said.

The killing of Zulfahri, 40, on Thursday capped the fragile
period. Known as a moderate GAM leader, Zulfahri was shot twice,
in the back of his head and his left arm, while having lunch with
three friends in a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, AFP reported.

He is survived by a wife and two children. His body was buried
in Damansara Muslim Cemetery on Friday.

Malaysian police have yet to identify the gunman or the motive
behind the killing. Bernama news agency reported that the
murderer, who wore a gray crash helmet, fled after the shooting.

Zulfahri had repeatedly called for talks with the Indonesian
government to end years of violence while remaining an advocate
of independence.

An AFP source said Zulfahri became an irritant to the main
group under Sweden-based Hasan Tiro after forming a group called
the 'ruling council of GAM'.

GAM spokesman Ismail Syahputra accused the Indonesian Military
of the assassination,

Intelligence

"Teuku Don Zulfahri used to work for Indonesian intelligence
and the military. And then about five days ago he appeared on
Malaysian television voicing his support for the cease-fire in
Aceh," Ismail said in a telephone interview.

TNI spokesman Air Rear Marshall Graito Usodo denied the
charge, saying that TNI always considered Zulfahri a person who
was willing and capable of implementing the accord. Graito added
TNI would not commit any action that could jeopardize peace in
the province.

Separately, Hasballah told media that the murder of Zulfahri
could be a result of a factional war within GAM.

"But I am not going to speculate as to who killed him. I
really hope it doesn't harm the peace process," he said at Hotel
Kuala Tripa after the signing of the joint statement.

GAM representative on the security committee, Nasiruddin bin
Ahmad, expressed guarded optimism that the truce would work
despite the murder.

"The murder does not change anything, and the (peace) process
will continue. From what I recall, he (Don Zulfahri) was once
against this humanitarian pause," Nasiruddin told media briefing
following the pact signing.

Due to the current security condition in Aceh, local police
issued on Friday a letter to guarantee the safety of every member
of the security committee as long as they do not violate the
agreed security ground rules.

Antara reported, the letter was signed by Aceh Police Chief
Brig. Gen. Bachrumsyah Kasman, and was issued upon request of GAM
members who sit on the security committee. (50/edt/dja)