ID :
28850
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 23:12
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http://m.oananews.org//node/28850
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ACEH STILL HOLDS POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT : MILY COMMANDER
Banda Aceh, Nov 6 (ANTARA) - Although the Helsinki peace agreement between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has been in effect for three years, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) province is not yet totally free from the potential for conflict, Iskandar Muda Military Commander Maj Gen Soenarko said here on Thursday.
"The potential exists because of many factors, but one of them is the failure of many parties to wipe out the idea of separatism from their political agenda," Soenarko said at a function to observe the 49th anniversary of Armed Forces Veterans Association (Pebabri) and Widows of Armed Forces Organization (Warakawuri).
He said the potential was reflected in the existence of provocative stickers, separatist symbols used by separatist groups in the past, and the destruction of the republic's official symbols.
"It is obvious that there are certain parties in Aceh that refuse to respect the official symbols of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," the Iskandar Muda Military commander said.
He said although National Defense Forces (TNI) personnel did not have wider authority to help overcome the potential for conflict in Aceh, they could not remain silent.
"I know, of course, that smartness, tactfulness, and special strategy are needed by the TNI to help anticipate possible conflict proportionally without violating the existing norms," Soenarko said.
Paying close attention to Aceh's present security situation, the two-star general asked Pebabri to join hands with the TNI in anticipating national problems in the province.
"Courage to fight against all kinds of crime in the community, state, and nation should be implanted in the hearts of people from all walks of life in Aceh," he said.
He added that to date illegal weapons remained circulating in Aceh and therefore it would lead to crime and violent acts.
Therefore, it should not be ignored because in many cases the circulation of illegal weapons in Aceh was politically-motivated, he said.
"Such a condition is really dangerous if it is misused as political pressure in the run up to 2009 general election," Soenarko said.
"The potential exists because of many factors, but one of them is the failure of many parties to wipe out the idea of separatism from their political agenda," Soenarko said at a function to observe the 49th anniversary of Armed Forces Veterans Association (Pebabri) and Widows of Armed Forces Organization (Warakawuri).
He said the potential was reflected in the existence of provocative stickers, separatist symbols used by separatist groups in the past, and the destruction of the republic's official symbols.
"It is obvious that there are certain parties in Aceh that refuse to respect the official symbols of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," the Iskandar Muda Military commander said.
He said although National Defense Forces (TNI) personnel did not have wider authority to help overcome the potential for conflict in Aceh, they could not remain silent.
"I know, of course, that smartness, tactfulness, and special strategy are needed by the TNI to help anticipate possible conflict proportionally without violating the existing norms," Soenarko said.
Paying close attention to Aceh's present security situation, the two-star general asked Pebabri to join hands with the TNI in anticipating national problems in the province.
"Courage to fight against all kinds of crime in the community, state, and nation should be implanted in the hearts of people from all walks of life in Aceh," he said.
He added that to date illegal weapons remained circulating in Aceh and therefore it would lead to crime and violent acts.
Therefore, it should not be ignored because in many cases the circulation of illegal weapons in Aceh was politically-motivated, he said.
"Such a condition is really dangerous if it is misused as political pressure in the run up to 2009 general election," Soenarko said.
