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U.S. Met With Aceh's GAM
by Kazi Mahmood for IslamOnline
KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The United States, admitting that it met with Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists earlier in the week, said it preferred a political and negotiated solution to the secessionist problem in the restive Aceh province.
United States envoy to Indonesia Robert S. Gelbard said he urged the GAM to stop acts of "terror" and threats against the Exxon Mobil Oil Indonesia (EMOI) corporation.
The GAM caused serious commotions in Lhoksukon, North Aceh regency, when it threatened to attack the American-owned company if it did not pay a security fee of Rp 5 billion per annum ($1.00 = Rp 11,000) to the GAM, rather than paying the Indonesian military forces.
"I have met with GAM representatives and asked them to stop those kinds of threats," Gelbard was quoted by Antara as saying Friday during his visit to Banda Aceh, capital of Aceh, saying that the United States government deeply regrets the temporary closure of Exxon Mobil's operations.
"Exxon Mobil was forced to halt their activities as the company and its employees have received various threats and attacks, such as bombings and shootings. Their priority is the safety of their employees," Gelbard said.
Gelbard will remain in Aceh for several days to obtain first-hand information about the current security condition there.
The ambassador reiterated the U.S. government's support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Aceh through dialogue, but asserted that his government would not back the separation of Aceh from the Republic of Indonesia, stressing that the U.S. has no desire to meddle in the internal affairs of Indonesia and that his government supports Indonesian integration.
"The United States government is confident that the Aceh matter can only be solved through humanitarian approach, not security or military [approach]," Gelbard said during a visit to Syiah Kuala University.
He added, however, that the U.S. has its fears about Indonesia, in particular about the Aceh conflict.
In 1999, President Abdurrahman Wahid personally asked the U.S. to assist his army and intelligence with logistics with input from the FBI to help keep Aceh separatists at bay.
American officials visited Jakarta early last year accompanied by officials from the FBI, sources said. GAM members also said they suspected American intelligence officials had visited Banda Aceh last year.
Gelbard said at a press meeting attended by several of his staff that the U.S., as a friend, and from experience, would like to assist in ending the conflict in Indonesia and suggested to the Indonesian government that it earn the trust of the Aceh people if it desired for Aceh to stay in its fold.
Meanwhile, a fresh deployment of 1,000 officers from the Police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) arrived in Banda Aceh, police said on Friday.
The troops arrived at the Krueng Raya Port, transported by two Navy battleships, the KRI Teluk Ambon and KRI Teluk Manado, on Thursday.
The troops will replace personnel that have served in Aceh for more than six months. According to records, there are about 30,000 military and police personnel stationed in Aceh presently.
Indonesia and the GAM signed a humanitarian truce in May 2000 in Geneva, Switzerland. The truce was extended last year to another six months, ending in June.
On March 12th, the GAM was tagged a separatist movement by the Indonesian cabinet. As a result, Wahid agreed to the deployment of additional troops in the province and approved light military operations against the GAM.
The GAM, headed by Hassan Tiro, living in exile in Switzerland, has been waging war against what its leader calls the "Javanese" invasion of the province.
The GAM has fought for separation of the territory from the Republic of Indonesia since 1971 when Tiro declared an Islamic republic of Aceh. The army crushed the rebellion, but the GAM has since maintained intense guerilla activities in the province.
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