Violence mars Aceh peace building
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A former member of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) was shot dead in the first violence reported since the Aug. 15 peace agreement to end decades of conflict in the province.
The incident came amid the military's claim that the security condition in Aceh is improving.
West Aceh Police chief Comr. Suroso Miharjo said on Wednesday that Arifin, a 32-year-old rebel turned farmer, was killed on Sunday by an unidentified gunman in Lawet village, West Aceh. Arifin had surrendered to the authorities earlier this year.
According to Suroso, the police learned about the incident from a man Arifin had worked with, who was beaten up by the gunman.
A GAM spokesman told AFP that he was not aware of the killing but suggested that the shooting "could have been carried out by GAM members" who deemed Arifin a traitor.
Saye Belnis, a member of the Initial Monitoring Presence in charge of preparations for the arrival of more than 200 foreign peace monitors next month, said her office was working with both government and GAM officials to gather more information on the incident.
In Jakarta, Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said that the security condition in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam had been "conducive" following the signing of the peace deal.
"The condition in Aceh is conducive. This is based on our observation in the field. I am not fabricating reports," he said after a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Endriartono briefed the President on the security condition in the province.
Several incidents have allegedly been the work of Aceh rebels, Endriartono said, but that was no reflection on GAM's stance.
"They are but one or two disobedient GAM members. We understand that there are factions within GAM, and there are those who oppose the peace agreement," the general said.
According to the peace deal, he said, the authorities would take action against GAM members who committed crimes.
"They will be considered common enemies," Endriartono said.
Under the agreement, GAM gave up its long-standing demand for independence and agreed to disarm and demobilize its 3,000 fighters while the government agreed to withdraw its reinforcement troops by the end of the year, to offer amnesty to GAM members and to allow for the establishment of local political parties in the province.
The military withdrew on Monday some 1,300 soldiers from Aceh. A number of GAM members have also come down from their mountain hideouts recently.