PRESS RELEASE
May 11 2003

1. The TNA deplores the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI)'s plan to have journalists imbedded in its military operations in Acheh, because it may put the participating journalists in mortal danger. We call on the concerned journalists to consider the danger that they will be facing in the battle field. In clashes that may occur between the TNI and TNA forces, it will be very difficult to differentiate between the journalists and the soldiers. Altough the journalists would be provided with bullet-proved vests, even the latest kevlar fibre based vests will not be able to withstand the bullets of 7.62 caliber Kalashnikov or Ruchnoy Pulemet Degdrayev.
    
2. The TNA urges the concerned journalists to remain committed to their neutral free press guidelines. Their participation in a military convoy of one side of the warring parties will signify their playing around with the principle of neutrality of the press.
    
3. TNA troops will defend with their lives to protect journalists who remain loyal to the principles of the freedom of the press. They have the right to cover and to obtain news from whichever side they may prefer and wherever it may be without compromising their principles of truthful reporting. As long as they remain within such boundaries, there is no party in the world that has the right to prevent or limit their practicing their profession.
    
4. The TNA wishes to take this occasion to express its sympathy to Major General Djali Jusuf who has just been relieved of his post as the Commander of the Indonesian Military Contingent (KODAM) in Acheh, so unceremoniously. Such a sudden dismissal, apart from insulting him personally, represents also the indignified treatment awaiting any sons of Acheh who have chosen to leave to collective fold of the struggle of the Achehnese people, in their thoughts or deeds. They may show the highest dedication and deepest loyalty to Jakarta, but at the end they have to accept the bitter reality such as experienced by Djali Jusuf, that they are still considered Achehnese who are not worthy of receiving the full trust in a critical time from their master in Jakarta. The Achehnese nation is still offering its brotherly arms to receive Djali Jusuf if he wishes to return to the fold of the holy collective struggle of the Achehnese people.
    
5. The TNA wishes also to take this occasion to dismiss with disdain rumours spreading among the milieu of the press that the release of the 4 GAM top negotiators by the Indonesian regime was in exchange for GAM accepting the special autonomy package.
    
6. GAM finally wishes to reiterate its readiness to continue with the CoHA and to discuss with the Indonesian side the future of Acheh in accordance with the Agreement that both parties have signed in Geneva on December 9, 2002. As such, it is not necessary to keep asking GAM's willingness to continue with the efforts to solve the Acheh conflict by peaceful means, because such willingness has been made very clear from the start.

 Central Military Command,

TNA Spokesman,

signed: