Nur Raihan, Banda Aceh – The Aceh Emergency Military Commander, Major General Endang Suwarya says that Free Aceh Movement (GAM) forces have been rescued to 40 per cent. Nevertheless, with one month left before the end of the first extension of martial law in Aceh, the military has a presence in every part of the province. The people’s resistance [one can assume this means against GAM rather than the military – JB] has also increased in a number of areas.
This was revealed by Suwarya in a rest break during an evaluation of martial law at the Teuku Umar Building at the Iskandar Muda regional military command (Kodam) headquarters in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh on Monday April 19. The monthly evaluation was not only attained by TNI (armed forces) and police officers but also by civilian officials including mayors and regents from throughout Aceh. Also present was the head of the Aceh National Election Commission Hasbalah Tjoet and a member of the Aceh Election Monitoring Committee.
“This evaluation is similar to the previous one, but this is the last month. So, I need material for a report to the central [government]. But, as of this afternoon, not all of the regents and mayors have given their reports, so I am not yet able to give complete [update] on latest developments”, he explained.
According to Suwarya however, aside from restoring security, another pressing issue is the problem of improving the welfare of the poor in Aceh who are reported to be as many as 1.7 million people from a total population of 4.1 million. He added also that the level of unemployment is estimated to be 400 thousand. “Right now, we want to know what the [demographic] map is like. Just what steps have already been taken [to deal with the problem]”, said Suwarya.
Meanwhile on the question or restoring security, he explained that the size of GAM’s forces as well as GAM weaponry will be reevaluated. Basically said Suwarya, the data still refers to figures from the “period” of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA).
“There has been a shift in their forces, both in terms of people and weaponry. But it is not significant, so we [need] reevaluate it. Also, there are still 260 civilian hostages who were have not been able to monitor”, he explained.
In the lead up to the last month of martial law on May 19 after being extended by six months on November 19, Suwarya said that they would be integrating all of the forces of the TNI and police with the people.
“We understand that in a number of areas the level of people’s resistance is still of concern. But in a number of other areas it’s quite good. With regard to prominent GAM leaders who we have yet to arrest, we are still trying. The room [for GAM] to maneuver is getting narrower, it is getting easier for us to access information”, he said
A similar theme was elaborated upon by the TNI chief of staff Brigadier General George Toisutta. According to Toisutta, all parts of Aceh are under the military’s control. “What is called a GAM basis no longer exists. Because if it is a [GAM] basis it means we have not gone there. We have entered all areas. Although there are still black zones [controlled by GAM] it does not mean we have not gone in”, he explained.
Hostages
Touching on the issue of the release of hostages, Toisutta said that the military are still working on it and furthermore have formed a special team for the task. “But we have still not succeeded. If there is direct information [on the whereabouts of hostages] we will rescue them”, he said, responding to an offer to release civilian hostages which has been made by GAM, including RCTI TV camera operator Ferry Santoro who is still being detained by GAM.
Toisutta said the pattern of TNI operations has not changed. Only the frequency of operations has been increased in the run up to the end of the second period of martial law on May 19. (nrl)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
