LAKSAMANA.Net, January 13, 2005 11:57 PM
Aceh Rebels Want Peace Talks
Laksamana.Net - The separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has called for peace
talks with the Indonesian government to ensure the safety of aid workers in
tsunami-ravaged Aceh province.
GAM's prime minister Malik Mahmud, living in exile in Sweden, says his side is keen
to hold ceasefire talks to assuage fears of security problems that have prompted the
government to restrict the movement of foreign unarmed troops and relief workers in
Aceh.
"We are prepared to meet with RI [the Republic of Indonesia] to agree the optimum
modalities to ensure the success of the ceasefire and thereby minimize the suffering
of the Acehnese people," he said in a statement issued Wednesday (12/1/05).
Foreign aid groups initially had free access to Aceh following the December 26
earthquake and tsunamis that killed more than 110,000 people in northern Sumatra,
but the government this week imposed restrictions requiring all foreigners to register
and obtain military permission to travel outside two cities.
Security authorities claim the restrictions are necessary because foreign aid groups
might leave Aceh if their workers are caught in crossfire between GAM and the
military.
GAM, which has been fighting for independence since 1976, declared a unilateral
ceasefire after the tsunamis.
The government has said it cannot lift restrictions in Aceh until the rebels surrender
their weapons. "We are trying to safeguard the safety of all of you. We don't want any
of you to be hurt by irresponsible GAM members," Coordinating Minister for People's
Welfare Alwi Shihab was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla welcomed GAM's call for peace talks. "Of course we
welcome it. Indonesia will also make efforts toward it," he was quoted as saying by
the Associated Press.
He did not explain what steps would be taken, but other officials have said the
government is using Islamic preachers as intermediaries to negotiate with GAM.
The military on Thursday said it had arrested five GAM members in Riau province's
Kampar regency and seized two firearms and hundreds of bullets.
Following are two brief statements on the security situation in Aceh, issued by GAM's
Sweden-based leadership.
GAM reconfirms its commitment to an unconditional ceasefire throughout
Acheh
THE STATE OF ACHEH,
THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE
12 January 2005
In light of the unfolding drama in Acheh and in an effort to ensure the safe and effective
delivery of essential humanitarian assistance throughout Acheh, the Government of
Acheh in exile, the PNA/ASNLF, would like to reconfirm its commitment of the 26
December 2004, to an unconditional ceasefire throughout Acheh for an indefinite
period.
PNA/ASNLF will continue to refrain from initiating all offensive military actions and
calls on the RI to publicly make the same commitments, thereby ensuring the people
of Acheh receive unfettered humanitarian assistance.
We know from experience that making such security arrangements work is difficult.
Therefore, we are prepared to meet with the RI to agree the optimum modalities to
ensure the success of the ceasefire and thereby minimize the suffering of the
Achehnese people.
Malik Mahmud
Prime Minister in exile
State of Acheh
-------------------------------------------------------------
TNA guarantees safety & free access to Acheh for international aid work
THE STATE OF ACHEH,
ACHEH NATIONAL ARMED FORCES (TNA) MILITARY INFORMATION CENTER
January 11, 2005
The Acheh National Armed Forces (TNA) guarantees the safety and free access to all
part of Acheh for the international aid workers. We understand that Indonesian
Colonial government has issued a warning to international aid workers that it cannot
guarantee their safety. It is only a move by the Indonesian colonial who is at
tremendous anxiety with the presence of international aid workers and military to
scare them away. Attempts have been made for this purpose such as random fire of
weapon in the city, dispatching false news about our forces has engaged in
harassments of aid delivery. This falsification of news and other hassles by the
colonial authority to aid workers and aid distribution have only one goal: to scare away
international workers from Acheh. They do not like international involvement in Acheh.
TNA Commander in-Chief
Muzakkir Manaf
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