National

TNI Chief Wants GAM to Make a Statement Regarding Its Dissolution
Thursday, 22 December, 2005 | 00:15 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The decommissioning and dispersal of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) military wing is inadequate for the Indonesian Military (TNI). TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto has requested GAM to make an official statement regarding its dissolution.

“The dissolution of the military wing is a duty. However, what is important is that GAM must officially announce the military wing no longer exists,” Sutarto stated on Thursday (22/12).

In relation to the handing over of GAM weapons in the last stage on Wednesday (21/12), Sutarto said that the TNI did not differentiate between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM). The TNI still prioritizes the peace settlement in Aceh.

“If we always focus on the weapons, when will the Aceh conflict be settled?” Sutarto stated. However, if in the future, the TNI finds GAM members have weapons, there will be legal measures against these GAM members.

Regarding the possibility of former GAM members becoming TNI members, Gen. Sutanto said that these GAM members must follow the selection process objectively without any discrimination. Following the amnesty, GAM members will automatically be Indonesian citizens and be entitled to work on any job. (Maruli Ferdinand-Tempo News Room)