JAKARTA, Jan 30 (AFP) - The highest Islamic authority in Indonesia's troubled Aceh province has called for a ceasefire between Muslim separatists and the military, a report said Sunday.
The Aceh chapter of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) on Saturday called for an immediate ceasefire, the Aceh-based Serambi daily said.
"There is no other way but for both sides in the conflict to halt their violence and enter a ceasefire as soon as possible," Aceh MUI Chairman Tngku Muslim Ibrahim said.
The MUI call came just several days after a similar statement, issued jointly by students, traditional Muslim scholars and non-governmental organizations, called on the military and the separatists to immediately bring a halt to the violence in Aceh.
The Muslim organization also called on all members of society to do their best "to find an effective solution to settle the case of Aceh in a peaceful, dignified, just, civilized and comprehensive way."
"To the religious leaders, activists and civic leaders, you should be able to provide protection and safety and encourage the people to conduct their daily activities well," the statement added.
Meanwhile, military deputy commander General Fachrul Razi said in Surabaya, East Java province, that the Indonesian armed forces (TNI) will support government efforts to hold talks with the rebels, even though soldiers continued to become victims in Aceh.
"TNI continues to support government's efforts, as unveiled by President [Abdurrahman Wahid] to forge a reconciliation through dialogue," Razi said, according to the Antara news agency.
"What is clear is that GAM is also part of the people of Indonesia and therefore we will still strive for reconciliation," he added, referring to the Aceh Merdeka Movement (GAM) which has been fighting for a Muslim state in the province since 1976.
In Meulaboh, West Aceh district, local military commander Colonel Syarifuddin Tippe told local civic leaders and representatives that he and the Indonesian military would pardon any rebel who surrendered with weapons to the authorities and sought forgiveness.
"People who are guilty of swearing in people (into becoming GAM members) will be pardoned and even GAM members who have killed by underlings will be also pardoned if they seek forgiveness," Tippe was quoted as saying by Serambi.
But Tippe said they should also hand over their weapons if they wanted forgiveness.
Aceh has been wracked by clashes between Indonesian troops and rebels and supporters of Aceh Merdeka. More than 400 people have been killed in the violence since early last year.
Demands for a vote on self-rule have also been on the rise in the region following growing resentment over Jakarta's failure to punish soldiers guilty of human rights abuses during a decade of military operations there, which was halted in 1998.
The syphoning off of the territory's natural resources has also fueled popular discontent.
President Wahid recently said the problems in Aceh will be resolved by the end of March, but drew criticism for airing optimism when there were no clear signs of improvement.
In the latest incident of violence, some seven armed men attacked two soldiers travelling on a motorcycle in Meuria Paloh, not far from Lhokseumawe, capital of North Aceh district, on Saturday.
North Aceh district commander Lieutenant Colonel Suyatno said the assailants had hidden in bushes on the side of the road but that only one of the two soldiers, the driver of the motorcycle, was wounded, hit on the shoulder.
The soldier was rushed to the Lhokseumawe military hospital while the attackers ran away after their brief attack.
