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ACHEH-SUMATRA NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT
(ASNLF ) |
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PRESS RELEASE
Unable to defeat the Acheh National Armed Force (TNA), frustrated Indonesian military (TNI) field commanders has ordered their personnel to fire at civilians. Since the beginning of the martial law, no less than 50 civilians have lost their lives due to brutal actions and retaliations by TNI and police force. TNI contra intelligence units have set afire to more than 250 school buildings so far in their attempt to smear GAM. The presence of General Adam Damiri, former East Timor arson architect, has increased the the clues that the arson attacks on school buildings were under his supervision. We received a report about a new arson attack on schools in Simpang Ulim, East Acheh at 0200 hours local time. Two senior high schools, one junior high school, and two elementary schools have been torched to ash. This is not an empty allegation since there were many eyewitnesses watched the incidents though they could not help quench the fire set by Indonesian mariners stationed at Panté Panah village. High quality atrocities were again displayed by TNI everywhere today. In Acheh Besar, TNI rounded up male villagers and line them up in front of TNI foot-patrol to Ujong Pancu as human shield hoping TNA would not open fire. Indeed, TNA opted to withdraw a few kilometers away until it stuck to a foothill. With human shield in front of them, Indonesian bandits moved forward to a point where armed clash between the two parties became inevitable. About 35 males from two villages in Acheh Besar are now in the middle of fire exchanges which have not been over yet at the moment this report is written. Before this occurred, TNA has taken all necessary means to avoid the clash in which civilians are presence, but TNI, due to its amateurism, have deliberately used civilians as a shield. Indonesia must take the responsibility should there be any casualty among the civilians. In Kuala Raja Beach, Bireuen, TNI lined up civilians briefed the about the consequency of siding with the Freedom Fighters and at the end of the briefing TNI picked two among the villagers as samples should the villagers go astray. The two were shot in the head to death in front of the screaming crowd. In nearby village, Beurawang, TNI also lined up people and beat them. We have not received report of fatality in this village. However, in another village, Cot Batee, a mentally-ill person has been killed by TNI who accused him being TNA spy. In Darul Aman, Peusangan, Bireuen, a 3 year-old infant was shot in the cheek by TNI yesterday and still alive although there is no medical care. In the same incident, 7 males of this village were still missing after abduction by TNI. Not only Achehnese, but also cattle have been considered as enemy by Indonesian troops. In their raid to a village last night in Peusangan, in the midst of their madness, TNI has killed 25 cattle in barns. Affected by their cowardness in the face of thruth, TNI generals have forced journalists to abandon the freedom of press prinsciples “Cover Both Sides”. Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya, martial law mandat holder, has firmly said that for the sake “patriotism”. We urge journalists to always stick to the rule of independent press and not to succumb to the orders of the tyrant. We pledge tom provide our protection to those who loyal to the prinsciples of independent press. At the same time, we also urge Indonesian rulers to allow press to operate independently. It is up to the TNI to setup its own propaganda machine, but forcing press as its propaganda tools can only be regarded as a coward move.
Central Military Command, |
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