Yuswardi A.Suud, Banda Aceh – After being withdrawn from the forests and mountains of Aceh, TNI (armed forces) troops will be placed in posts on the outskirts of the forests and only allowed to move within a radius of 750 metres from their post.

This proposal was revealed during a meeting between the commander of the Iskandar Muda territorial military command, Supiadin AS, and members of the Aceh provincial parliament (DPRD) in Banda Aceh. According to Supiadin, the withdrawal of troops who have previously been pursuing members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in the forests and mountains of Aceh started on July 23. “This is to demonstrate the TNI’s commitment to supporting the peace process in Aceh”, he said.

In the lead up to the signing of a peace agreement between the Indonesian government and GAM, which is planned for August 15, the TNI will only conduct light patrols to safeguard the public from disturbances by GAM. In addition to this the TNI will also safeguard vital objects along the 153-kilometer pipeline. “My officers can patrol to the extent of providing security for the pipeline. So it doesn’t mean that we aren’t doing anything and leaving GAM to commit acts of violence”, said Supiadin.

Supiadin is asking the DPRD to participate in supervising the peace agreement. “I can’t work by myself, I need help to for supervisory tasks from the DPRD”, he said. According to Supiadin, the TNI welcomes the government’s efforts at peace. Except, he also asked GAM to have the same good intentions. “Furthermore, the time [of the signing of the peace deal] is only two days before independence [day]. This is an extraordinary momentum, God have mercy”, said Supiadin.

The speaker of the Aceh DPRD, Said Fuad Zakaria, has declared his support for the TNI’s position. He is asking all parties in Aceh to support the peace process.

[Translated by James Balowski.]