War against GAM will be drawn out: Kostrad chief
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian Military (TNI) warned of a protracted war against the armed wing of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Friday, but ruled out any immediate deployment of more combat troops in the restive province of Aceh.
"The war will be drawn out. This is not only about security, but other factors as well," Army's Strategic Reserves (Kostrad) Commander Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu told the media after a sports match here.
Ryamizard's statement came one day after GAM spokesman Ayah Sofyan said that the death of military commander Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie had consolidated the separatist movement and boosted the guerrillas' morale to fight for independence.
"One goes, ten come. The more the military kills rebels, the more Acehnese people will join GAM," Ayah said on Thursday.
Three-star General Ryamizard considered the number of troops deployed in the strife-torn area sufficient to deal with the separatist group.
He also said that Syafi'ie's death would affect the morale of the guerrilla rebels and dampen their fervor.
Syafi'ie was gunned down in a 30-minute battle with soldiers in Cubo, Pidie regency, some 135 kilometers east of Banda Aceh on Tuesday. Seven people were killed in the gunfight, including the 50-year-old wife of the separatist commander Aisyah Umar.
Following Syafi'ie's death, acting military chief of GAM Muzakkir Manaf called on all members to follow his instructions.
Manaf said soldiers who engaged in violations would be punished.
According to GAM spokesman Sofyan Dawod, Manaf also called on the Acehnese people to avoid endlessly mourning the death of Syafi'ie.
Meanwhile, the TNI leadership will present a special award to 20 soldiers in recognition of the successful operation that led to Syafi'ie's killing.
Zaenal Muttagim, spokesman for the Operation to Restore Security to Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, said on Friday that TNI leaders had vowed to present the soldiers with a special award for carrying out their duties successfully.
"It has been a TNI tradition to present awards to members who perform their tasks well," said Zaenal.
He added, however, that he did not yet know exactly what award would be presented to the soldiers.
During the operation, Zaenal noted, the 20 soldiers from the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) raided a hut in the hills of Cubo, Pidie regency, where armed civilians were staying.
He said they initiated the operation after receiving information from local residents who had seen a person carrying a gun in the area.
On Tuesday morning, the troops raided the hut where Syafi'ie, his wife Aisyah Umar, and other GAM members were staying.
The military learned of the GAM commander's death the following day, after he had been rushed to Sigli Hospital, he said.
"The troops who attacked the group knew that one of those killed was the GAM commander shortly after the bodies were identified (in the hospital)," he said.
The deadly gunfight, however, was roundly condemned by student protesters in Palu, Central Sulawesi on Friday.
Dozens of Muslim students staged a rally on main roads in Palu, extending sympathy for the death of Syafi'ie, his wife, and the guards.
They unveiled a huge black banner and expressed grief over the violence.
Coordinator Asgar Ali said the death of seven people was another human tragedy in the long struggle of the Acehnese in their attempt to uphold Islamic law.
"The security approach often adopted by the military must be stopped to prevent more casualties," he said.