WorldNetDaily, Wednesday, February 20, 2002
Jihad in another Indonesian province?
Separatists claim military supports group that slaughters Christians
Muslim extremist group Laskar Jihad held its first rally in the volatile Indonesian
province of Aceh Feb. 18, despite opposition from the separatist Free Aceh
Movement, or GAM. Laskar Jihad said the rally was simply a routine visit, and
although it may have been part of a recruiting effort, the event garnered an audience of
only 100.
The leader of the GAM, Brig. Gen. Jali Yusuf, said he was against the Muslim group's
activities because he does not want the security situation in Aceh to be disturbed,
Agence France-Press reported. His organization is fighting for an independent Aceh,
he said, not a religious war.
GAM spokesman Ayah Sofyan also claimed that the Indonesian military is supporting
the presence of Laskar Jihad in Aceh, AFP reported. The fact that Laskar Jihad has
gained the backing of certain military and police factions in its campaign against
Christians in the Maluku Islands adds some credibility to Sofyan's accusation.
Although it cannot yet be determined whether the military is actively allowing Laskar
Jihad to set up a presence in Aceh, the rise of extremist Muslims in the province
would certainly allow the security services to continue their crackdown against the
separatist movement with much more international support.
Since Sept. 11, Indonesia has been criticized for doing little to fight terrorism within its
own borders and prevent it from spreading to neighboring countries. Singapore Senior
Minister Lee Kuan Yew said Feb. 17 that leaders of extremist cells in the region
remain at large in Indonesia, putting Singapore at risk.
Indonesia's military has used the international war against terrorism to get the
separatist movement under control and prevent Aceh's oil-rich territory from falling out
of government hands, rather than apprehend international terrorists. Indonesia still has
yet to arrest even one suspected terrorist while its neighbors have made numerous
detentions.
The presence of Laskar Jihad in Aceh will allow the military to continue its campaign
against the GAM under the guise of controlling Muslim militants. This scenario would
garner more support and favor within the international community. The military will
essentially be hitting two birds with one stone: continuing its current separatist
crackdown while appearing more helpful in the anti-terrorism campaign.
© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com
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