Jakarta – Army chief Ryamrizard Ryacudu says that the TNI (armed forces) will continue to take a defensive position with regard to the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in spite of the fact that negotiations between GAM and the Indonesian government in Helsinki Finland have failed to produce an agreement.

“We will continue to be defensive. But if they bother [us] what else can [we] do”, Ryacudu told journalists following a TMMD (TNI unites to develop the villages) coordinating meeting at the Bina Yudha II Room at the army’s headquarters in Central Jakarta on Tuesday February 1. Ryacudu also stated that there was no time limit for the TNI to remain deployed in Aceh.

When asked about the TNI’s attitude on the request for a cease-fire by GAM, Ryacudu answered that the TNI has taken no position on accepting a cease-fire. “If GAM asks for a cease-fire well that’s [up to] them. It’s impossible for us who are defending the state to seek a cease-fire, what’s the story?”, he said.

According to Ryacudu, in order to resolve the Aceh problem GAM must give up and surrender their arms. “If [GAM] doesn’t surrender yeah well there’ll be no resolution”, he said.

Ryacudu said that the negotiations being held between the Indonesian Republic and GAM are a form of good faith on the part of the government’s to bring peace to Aceh. Ryacudu also revealed that post the tsunami there have been around 78 GAM members who have surrendered and been detained. (Agus Supriyanto)

[Translated by James Balowski.]