- Title: INDONESIA: STUDENTS RALLY AGAINST POSSIBLE MILITARY OPERATIONS IN ACEH
- Date: 24th April 2003
- Summary: (U3) JAKARTA, INDONESIA (APRIL 25, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. WIDE OF STUDENTS MARCHING TOWARDS PRESIDENTIAL PALACE 2. VARIOUS OF POLICE CORDON OUTSIDE PALACE 3. VARIOUS OF PROTEST, STUDENTS HOLDING BANNERS 4. EFFIGY OF PRESIDENT MEGAWATI SUKARNOPUTRI CLAD IN MILITARY UNIFORM 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) PROTESTER, YUSUF LA
- Embargoed: 9th May 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: JAKARTA AND LHOKSEUMAWE, ACEH PROVINCE, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Reuters ID: LVA9LVU6YPACMSPFIU6NP45EMBTJ
- Story Text: Students have rallied against possible military
operations in the Indonesian province of Aceh after a meeting
aimed at salvaging a troubled peace pact in the region was
cancelled.
The protest took place on Friday (April 25, 2003) outside
the presidential palace amid new fears of fresh tension and
speculation of a full-scale military operation in the troubled
province.
A meeting in Geneva between Indonesian government
officials and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM),
initially scheduled to begin on Friday (April 25), was
cancelled after GAM asked for a later start and the government
refused.
"The cancellation only indicates that there will be other
solutions in Aceh instead of peace. And it certainly will be a
military operation, which we very much deplore," said
protester Yusuf Lakaseng.
The talks were aimed at salvaging a peace deal the two
sides signed in December. The pact at first sharply reduced
fighting in the war-torn region but in recent weeks has hit
snags.
Clashes have increased, civilians have been caught in
crossfires and peace monitors withdrew from the countryside to
the provincial capital, Banda Aceh. Both sides blamed the
other and Indonesia has threatened to resume full combat
operations.
The Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian
Dialogue (HDC), which brokered the December pact, announced
the cancellation of the talks "for logistical reasons."
Rebel leaders said they remained committed to the peace
deal and said the government had cancelled the talks over
timing.
GAM and some Indonesian government representatives were
already on their way to Geneva, creating confusions about the
reason behind Indonesia's last minute decision to back out.
Some analysts have accused the military of trying to
sideline the peace process in Aceh.
"In particular, the persons in Megawati administration
play the game quite good. They are angry. Just remember that
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is a retired military general. His
secretary, Lieutenant General Sudi Silalahi is an active, let
me underline, he is an active, not a retired military
officer," political analyst at the
Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Muhammad
Qodari said.
The government and the military, on the other hand, have
become increasingly incensed at what they say is GAM's
campaign to use the peace process to drum up support for
independence despite foreign support for the view that Aceh is
part of Indonesia.
Much is at stake for President Megawati Sukarnoputri whose
government is trying to show foreign investors, wary about
security problems, that it can end a conflict that has killed
at least 10,000 people since the mid-1970's.
Resuming a full-scale military operation in Aceh requires
approval from Megawati and consultation with the parliament.
An emergency security meeting was held on Friday (April
25) to discuss the alternatives Indonesia will pursue
following the recent hitch in the peace process.
"It (diplomacy) is still under consideration. But we will
not for the umpteenth time be trapped in the types of
diplomacy which will in the end only be a disadvantage for us.
But nothing has yet been decided. The alternatives discussed
today will first be presented to the cabinet meeting (on
Monday)," said Sudi Silalahi, aide to chief security minister
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Major moves might not come until after President Megawati
Sukarnoputri returns on Sunday from an overseas trip.
"So far the military action has been given a priority and
it is proven that this military solution does not solve the
problem. It even becomes another problem. This is the only
time where the negotiation or diplomatic process is given more
priority. So please give another opportunity for diplomatic
process. About being pressured by her political opponents, by
other parties, is risk for Megawati as a leader. It is time
for her to prove her capability as leader of the nation,"
Qodari said.
Aceh, which lies some 1,700 km (1,060 miles) northwest of
Jakarta, is one of Indonesia's two separatist hot spots. The
other is Papua province in the far east of the archipelago.
Since GAM started its independence fight in 1976, clashes
between government troops and GAM have killed at least 10,000
people and brought abundant accounts of torture against
innocent civilians by soldiers hunting for rebels. The
military denied the charges and accused GAM of atrocities of
its own.
"Perhaps they (the military) are also making some deals,
which involving money in Aceh. Protecting businessmen,
protecting plantations, protecting factories, especially Arun,
the gas company. They get protection money from these
companies. Protection is also needed when there is a threat,
which is from the Free Aceh Movement. When there is no more
threat, there is no more need for protection. They have to
leave security and stability to police officers. It is also
assumed, just like another conflict areas in Indonesia or
elsewhere in the world, Aceh has become a
training field for any officer, training field to develop war
capabilities and also training field to get a higher rank,"
Qodari said.
Amid the rhetorical sniping, Indonesia recently sent 1,000
soldiers to Aceh, but maintains that they are not part of a
military build-up.
Around 2,000 Marines also headed for Aceh on Tuesday
(April 22), but the military said the troops would only
replace their comrades whose tours of duty have ended.
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