PRESS RELEASE
May 21 2003

*TNA promises protection for journalists

*Reports from the battle fields

GAM urges journalist to always uphold the prinsciples of independent press. We understand there are mounting intimidations by Indonesian authority insisting press not to quote anything from the spokesmen of Achehnese National Armed Forces (TNA). This indecent move by GoI will not prevail as long as journalists stick to the prinsciple of independent press. We are so grateful to all journalists who are now covering the second colonial war in Acheh for their courage and loyalty to the prinsciples. There is no law that may overrun the rights of media to obtain information from any relevant sources and to publish balanced reports. TNA promises its protection to all journalists in Acheh.

From the battle fields:

There have been several fight points between Achehnese National Armed Forces (TNA) and Indonesian military (TNI) in Acheh. These two are among the reports we have:

At 0830-1000 hours local time TNI has massacred 10 civilians and 2 'hors de combat' of TNA soldiers in Chot Raboe village, subdistrict of Peusangan, Bireuen. The incident took place when Indonesian army moved from the south and Indonesian mariners move in from the sea while opening fire into the air. Scared villagers who ran for safety has become preys. Ten of them

Near Sabang, this morning, a clash between TNA patrol and an Indonesian warship occurred the indonesian marines tried to land using rubberboat. Our patrol has shot to death 3 of the marines on the boats. Our patrol then safely left the area after the warship started shelling at it.

In retaliation for the dead mariners, 6 more Indonesian warships came and started rounding up any fishing boat they found on the open sea. We heard several gunshots fired at some of the boats. Then the shellings were redirected on the Breuh Island. This island is inhabited by many families

Information about the death or wounded fishermen ia still unretrievable, while on the island there have been some fatalities due to the bombardment which is still going on at the moment this report is written.

We woud like to inform the world that Indonesia is practicing brutal war methods in Acheh.