ABC AUSTRALIA, 02/11/2004, 05:33:36
Deadly violence flares in Indonesia's restive north
Violence has again flared in Indonesia's restive northern province of Aceh where at
least 19 people have died over the past few days.
Indonesia's new president has promised to look for new ways to bring an end to more
than a quarter of century of separatist bloodshed in Aceh, but there is little sign of
imminent peace.
From Jakarta, Tim Johnson reports.
"The military says that 18 rebels and one soldier were killed in a series of clashes in
Aceh over the weekend. The deaths follow 17 other killings last week. The increased
violence comes at a critical time. The government is currently reviewing whether it'll
extend a six month state of civil emergency which runs out on November the 19th.
More than 13-thousand people have died in the last 12 years of conflict between the
army and Acehnese separatists. Indonesia's new president, Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono has promised to look for new solutions to the conflict but has yet to come
up with any concrete plans.
02/11/2004, 05:33:36 | ABC Asia Pacific
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