U.S. supports Indonesia's policies on troubled Aceh

U.S. supports Indonesia's policies on troubled Aceh

JAKARTA (JP): While expressing support for a united territory
of Indonesia, United States Ambassador to Indonesia Robert S.
Gelbard offered on Wednesday to help ensure the agreement between
the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and Indonesian government a success.

"Certainly the United States is preparing to participate in a
serious way in any economic development and reconstruction plan,
although the security problem (in Aceh) is difficult.

"The most important (part) of the agreement is its
implementation. And we are very much preparing to help. I'm sure
other governments are, too," Gelbard told reporters after a
meeting with Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and
Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the latter's office
on Wednesday.

The Ambassador was referring to the agreement made between the
Indonesian government and GAM during the recent five-day forum in
Geneva.

"We always feel in great pain when we see tragedies, such as
in Aceh, Maluku and Irian Jaya. I went here (to Susilo's office)
for some hope, some optimistic answer. We've been offering
assistance in anyway the Indonesian government feels it will be
appropriate," Gelbard said.

He said that the United States has been giving technical
military assistant, including anti-terrorism, to help the
Indonesian government cope with the separatist problems.

Gelbard said that the United States also supported Indonesia
in handling the separatist movement in Irian Jaya.

"You should read history. The United States played its role in
the 1962 negotiation to include Irian Jaya as part of Indonesia.
So, we've played a very important role in Indonesia's history. Of
course, we support its integrity," he said.

Separately, Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. said the
government would conduct operations to restore order and security
in Aceh.

"There are village and regency administrations which have
failed to perform their functions because they have been under
GAM's control," Mahfud said after a limited meeting on political,
security and social affairs, chaired by Susilo.

He also said that security forces would conduct operations
against civilians possessing arms.

Meanwhile, the Aceh People's Council (MMA) urged the House of
Representatives on Wednesday to prioritize the deliberation of
the draft special autonomy law for Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.

"There should be substance that guarantees the preservation of
the traditional culture of Acehnese and establishment of a
democratic, transparent and accountable local government in the
province," Ismail Hasan Metareum, chief of the council steering
committee, told with House Speaker Akbar Tandjung.

The council also urged the government to establish a National
Commission for Aceh to organize holistic measures to solve the
problems of the province.

The council further asked the government to avoid any kind of
military operation in the province as it would create more
distrust among the people of Aceh towards the government.

Separately, Indonesianist Herbert Feith of the Australian
National University, who is also a visiting lecturer at Gadjah
Mada University, Yogyakarta said on Wednesday that the government
should be able to set up a form of autonomy that gives both Aceh
and Irian "significant power sharing".

"In the long run there should be a new formulation on the
autonomy given to both provinces. For example, like those
implemented in Hong Kong, which is part of Mainland China, or
those imposed in England.

"Both provinces must be given greater authority and bargaining
positions so that they can fully accommodate their needs," Feith
told a dialogue on Aceh and Irian held at Teater Utan Kayu in
East Jakarta on Wednesday.

Meanwhile in Aceh, at least six people were killed on
Wednesday, two days after a new truce between government troops
and separatist rebels took effect.

A GAM rebel, identified as Nurdin, was killed in North Aceh
during a gunfight, Police Cinta Meunasah Operation deputy
spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr Yatim Suyatmo said.

In restive Pidie regency, Sulaiman Daud, a Mutiara Barat
district chief, was shot dead by gunmen at his house in Cot Usi
village, Adj. Comr. Restu Mulia of Pidie Police said.

GAM spokesman Abu Razak, however, denied the killing was done
by rebels.

"The district chief have been good to us and we wouldn't have
the heart to execute him," Abu Razak said.

Three other unidentified bodies were found in East Aceh on
Wednesday. And in Aceh Besar, a man named Syukrizal, 28, was
killed during a police sweeping operation at Tingkem village in
Darul Imara district.

Police also unearthed on Tuesday skulls and bones of two
people, believed to be killed by GAM, near Cut Ali Air Base in
South Aceh.

"We are trying to identify the remains as we suspect there are
about 14 bodies buried here," Adj. Comr. Moh. Ali Husein said.

Unofficial data recorded that the incidents brought the
casualties in Aceh to 79 people this year, most of them
civilians. (02/50/51/dja/edt)