ABC AUSTRALIA, 28/03/2003 21:51:23
INDONESIA: Fears of return to armed conflict in Aceh
28/03/2003 21:51:23 | Asia Pacific Programs
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There are fears in Jakarta that the war in Iraq is diverting attention from a conflict
much closer to home - in the province of Aceh. Under a demilitarisation deal signed
four months ago, Indonesian military and police who've been controlling the province
for over a decade, were due to start to withdraw from villages to regional barracks.
Free Aceh Movement rebels fighting for independence for the province were to begin
laying down their weapons. But a stand-off has developed between the two sides, with
neither trusting the other.
Transcript:
FITZGERALD: What do you mean by getting it right? I mean surely there's only one
way you can start handing over weapons and one way you can start withdrawing from
villages, either it happens or it doesn't.
DALY: Well there are two key parts to it. One that it's accountable, and the second
one is that it's reciprocal. So what we need to get into place is a system that satisfies
all parties and the public that is demilitarisation that's taking place in an effective
manner.
FITZGERALD: The fragility of the ceasefire is a constant though. The Indonesian side
claims the announcement of peace zones is being used by the rebels to promote
independence. The rebels claim the military is stirring up violence against Thai and
Filipino peacekeepers.
Mr Abdul Rahman, says the fifty foreign peacekeepers are one of the few things
holding the agreement together. Many Acehnese are fearful the peace deal will
disintegrate in May though, when they're due to depart. They want to see the foreign
peacekeepers mandate extended beyond May and more peacekeepers added.
RAHMAN: With their presence there, the Acehnese people can talk with them directly
and they can express their painful experience. Also they can report any atrocities or
any violations to the agreement in their village. The Military becomes discouraged,
they become reluctant to inflict more tortures on innocent people.
FITZGERALD: The recent arrest of one of Aceh's most high profile civilian leaders has
added to the fears that Indonesia won't honor this agreement. Mohammed Nasar of
the Centre of Information on a Referendum for Aceh was arrested in mid February.
Abdul Rahman says a string of other civilians have also been placed on the wanted
list.
RAHMAN: Nasar is a prominent student leader and also a prominent political
campaigner. His arrest has caused a great deal of hatred and disappointment among
the Aceh people.
The TNI and police are required to return to barracks and move from strike mode to a
defensive force. Four new Peace Zones were officially inaugurated in Tiro sub-district
of Pidie district, Peusangan sub-district of Bireuen district, Simpang Keramat
sub-district of North Aceh district, and Idi Tunong sub-district of East Aceh district. In
Tiro thousands of locals attended the ceremony waving GAM flags and shouting for
independence. The local TNI Commander protested against this act and called it a
strict violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA).
"No firearms are to be found in Aceh in July. Otherwise, we will consider it a crime
and the case will be handled accordingly by the police," Sutarto warned. On 3 March
JSC's representative office in Takengon, Central Aceh was attacked by mobs,
prompting JSC to evacuate its personnel to Banda Aceh. The situation in Central
Aceh remains tense after the attack and a local GAM commander claimed that those
who perpetrated the attack were militia groups supported and organized by TNI.
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28/03/2003 21:51:23 | ABC Radio Australia News
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