Violence continues in Aceh as govt ponders tough action
Violence continues in Aceh as govt ponders tough action
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Violence continued to mar the
humanitarian pause in Aceh over the weekend, as the government is
considering taking more decisive measures against the separatist
movement in the restive province.
In the latest series of incidents, three soldiers were wounded
in a grenade blast and a military post was attacked in West Aceh
just before midnight on Saturday.
The attacks came hours after Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi
Shihab said in Jakarta he had been discussing with his
counterparts around the world the possibility of introducing more
decisive measures against Aceh rebels grouped in the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM).
Aceh military authorities said on Sunday the grenade exploded
in Pante village in Beutong district. The injured were rushed to
a clinic in Meulaboh, about 70 kilometers from the scene of the
explosion.
The military post which was attacked is located in Seunagan
district, about 12 kilometers from Beutong. No casualties were
reported.
In a related development, Sabang Naval Base Commander Col.
Syahrin Abdurrahman confirmed on Sunday a Navy officer identified
only as Capt. Agus went missing along with seven people aboard a
public minivan traveling between Banda Aceh and Medan on
Wednesday.
Chief of Banda Aceh bus terminal Muhammad Yasin said on Sunday
the minivan was last seen on a road linking Bireun and Banda Aceh
on Wednesday.
"We fear for their safety because public transportation was
not supposed to be operating from Wednesday to Friday because of
possible tension during Independence Day in Aceh," Yasin said.
Meanwhile, Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Doddy Sumantywan said
on Sunday his office would continue the investigation into
weapons and other military equipment found inside a roof of a
mosque in Kandang, North Aceh, on Thursday.
The police seized 462 GLM ammunition, 400 pairs of Malaysia-
made boots, four sacks of combat fatigues, a rocket launcher, a
trigger rocket, several military documents dating back to the
military operation between 1988 and 1998 in Aceh, a laptop, a
copy machine, a printer, batteries and diskettes.
Suggestions
Speaking to journalists during his 54th birthday celebration
on Saturday, Alwi said Jakarta had asked several countries to
make suggestions to solve the Aceh issue.
"I have had several discussions with my counterparts in the
hope of receiving more ideas to solve the Aceh problem, but so
far nobody has come up with anything. Indonesia should start to
talk about the substance to keep its territorial integrity," he
said.
Alwi said further that the government could no longer be
patient with GAM and it was time to take more decisive measures
against the separatists group to ensure Aceh remained part of the
country.
"Jakarta is always open to discussion with GAM as long as it
is within the boundaries of keeping territorial integrity. GAM
must know it is pointless to keep asking for independence," he
added.
Commenting on the humanitarian pause, Alwi said the government
would see in the next few days whether GAM continued to violate
the terms of the agreement, and it was possible that Indonesia
would review the agreement.
"There should be some conclusion to the issue, we should start
to talk about the substance to end the issue once and for all,"
Alwi remarked. (50/edt/dja)