The Jakarta Post, 4/23/2003 6:25:18 PM
No place for separatist movements in RI: Top security minister
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Security and Political Affairs Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono reiterated here on Wednesday that there is no place for
separatist movements in the country -- in Aceh, Papua or Maluku.
"The government's stance is very clear -- it will not tolerate a separatist movement, in
Ambon (Maluku), Aceh or Papua," Susilo said after a coordination meeting on political
and security affairs, as quoted by Antara.
The minister was responding to a proposal by the separatist South Maluku Republic
(RMS) to commemorate its anniversary on April 25.
The government, he said, had done its best to stop separatist movements, while
fulfilling the aspirations of the people. "If the problems concern justice, economic
welfare, health and education, of course we shall address them. But there is no place
for movements that aim to secede (from Indonesia)," he noted.
Susilo said he had instructed the governor, military and police chiefs of Maluku to
anticipate moves to revive the RMS. "I have communicated with them so that the local
administration can take appropriate measures that are not counterproductive," he
said.
The RMS is reportedly planning to hoist its flag in commemoration of its anniversary
on April 25.
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, however, issued a clear
warning that the military would act firmly against anyone who tried to hoist the
separatist movement's flag.
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