National

TNI Chief Confirms Release of GAM Hostages
29 Januari 2004

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto has said that the TNI and National Police have succeeded in gaining the release of the wives of two TNI officers who had been held hostage by Free Aceh Movement (GAM).




“But the reports are still incomplete,” Sutarto told reporters prior to a cabinet meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (29/1).




He added that the release took place today today.




Sutarto went on to say that the release of the two women was carried out through a military operation rather than a negotiation as the TNI felt that the negotiation process would result in nothing.




“We will continue the military operation option rather than having to wait for GAM’s decision along with their numerous requirements. They actually never want to negotiate with us,” he stated.




However, the TNI is still open in terms of a negotiation option in the efforts to release RCTI television station cameraman Ferry Santoro.




But this might change if the GAM is still unwilling to carry out a negotiation process.




Regarding the decision of the Indonesian Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross to withdraw from the negotiation to release Santoro, Sutarto said that this came about because of uncertainty over the stance of GAM.




“GAM people in Aceh said that they left everything up to GAM leaders in Sweden. When these leaders made their decision, the GAM members in Aceh did not want to obey what has been agreed in Sweden.




As reported earlier, the negotiation to release Ferry Santoro has met a deadlock.




The head of the negotiation team Sudi Silalahi said that the deadlock occurred because of the replacement of the GAM spokesman and the involvement of the GAM leaders in Sweden.




Deddy Sinaga - Tempo News Room