National

GAM to Hand Over Weapons at Three Points
Wednesday, 14 September, 2005 | 11:22 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesian Minister for Communication and Information Sofyan Djalil has said that the first phase of the handing over of weapons by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) will be carried out st three points, Aceh Besar, Pidie and Bireun.

“To begin with at these three points. After that, other places will be added,” Djalil to reporters after a meeting with members of the Editors Club in his office in Jakarta on Tuesday (13/09).

The handing over of the weapons shall be centered at Aceh Besar.

According to Djalil, he will personally monitor the handing over the weapons at Aceh Besar.

“I will also invite members of House of Representatives and reporters to accompany me,” he stated.

The handing over of the weapons will be carried out for three days in a row, on September 15, 16 and 17.

During this first phase, GAM members are expected to hand over at least 25 percent of their weapons, or at least 210 pieces.

The agreement between the Indonesian government, the AMM and the GAM states that the GAM would only hand over 840 weapons.

“This has been agreed and guaranteed. But, GAM members are actually obliged to hand over all their weapons,” stated Djalil. (Agus Supriyanto-Tempo News Room)