National

TNI Secures Release of Nine Red Cross Volunteers
10 Pebruari 2004

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian Military (TNI) has succeeded in securing the release of nine out of a total of ten volunteers of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) who had been taken hostages by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

“One volunteer, Budiman, is still been held hostage by GAM,” said secretary of the political and security ministry Sudi Silalahi in Jakarta on Tuesday (10/2).

Silalahi went on to say that the PMI volunteers--two of them whom were surgeons—entered the GAM area to bring medicines as well as to provide medical treatment for GAM troops and hostages.

“When they arrived at the area, they found that there was no one who requires medical care and ended being held hostage[by GAM],” he said.

Silalahi added that PMI Chairman Mar’ie Muhammad had asked the TNI to search for the volunteers.

On Sunday, a gunfight between the TNI and GAM broke out, and then nine volunteers were released.

It has been reported that the East Aceh spokesperson Teuku Mansyur was killed during the gunfight.

“But the TNI has not yet received verification of this,” said Silalahi.

Dewi Retno - Tempo News Room