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TITLE: President Approves Limited Military Operation in Aceh |
AUTHOR: |
PUB: Tempo Interaktif |
DATE: March 15, 2001 |
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President Abdurrahman Wahid approves the imposition of limited military operation in Aceh, as the security condition in the strife-torn province can no longer be improved through talks. In fact, the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has started to attack and disturb some strategic facilities there. Presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar made the comment at the State Palace on Wednesday afternoon (14/3). Wimar also announced the result of a meeting between the president, vice president, and senior officials in charge of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police. The meeting at the vice president's official residence discussed some points including security situation in some provinces, such as Aceh, Central Kalimantan, Maluku, Papua, and Jakarta. Regarding limited military operation in Aceh, Wimar pointed to the results of the cabinet meeting held on Monday (12/3) that the government had to re-evaluate the existence of GAM. To the government, GAM is a separatist movement that has allegedly caused disturbances against a number of strategic facilities, such as the ones owned by ExxonMobil Indonesia in Arun. "Therefore, the government needs to re-evaluate GAM. As we know, GAM qualifies as a separatist organization that consequently justifies or demands an approach using limited military measures," Wimar said. However, Wimar did not elaborate the details of the limited military operation, saying the persons in charge of explaining it are the coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs as well as the TNI chief. "The president has ordered them to think of ways to handle the problem. Therefore, it still cannot be announced in detail." Meanwhile in Banda Aceh, the factions at Aceh Legislative Council have rejected the government's plan to impose limited military operation in Aceh. "Limited military operation is an inappropriate action, as the Indonesian government and GAM are still trying to hold talks to solve the problems in Aceh," said OK Ibrahim, the spokesman for the PDIP (Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle) faction on Wednesday (14/3). END |