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)