Press Release

No.347/PHMN/O3

Martial Law Implemented in Aceh after GAM Failed to Fulfill the Agreement

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri issued Presidential Decision no. 28/2003 dealing with integrated operation including a martial law in Nangroe Aceh Darrusalam (NAD) Province, after the government received and considered inputs from many concerned dignitaries and organizations, including parliament. The decision was taken after the Joint Council Meeting between the Republic of Indonesia and the leadership of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) which took place in Tokyo, 17-18 May, 2003 failed to reach an agreement to evaluate the implementation of the Cessation of Rostilities Agreement (COHA) signed on 9 December 2002 in Geneva.

During the two day meeting, both parties sought to discuss outstanding issues with regard to the implementation of the COHA such as the acceptance of the NAD Law in the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and the placement of GAM's weapons. Acting as facilitators, the HDC, assisted by Co-chairs of the Tokyo Meeting (Japan, US, EU and the World Bank), tried to push GAM to implement its obligation under the COHA. GAM in fact failed to firmly declare its acceptance of the NAD Autonomy Law and refused to abandon its armed struggle and its separatist activities.

Meanwhile, in the field, GAM continues to make material breaches of the COHA such as incessantly making declarations for independence and separation from the Unitary State of Indonesia, failing to fulfill its obligation to place its weapons as required by COHA, establishing rivalry local governmental structure, continuously recruiting for " Aceh National Army" and conducting extortion against the Acehnese people and imposing levies known as the Nangroe tax. These GAM activities are clearly not only against the provisions of Indonesian national law, but also in contravention with the spirit and letter of   COHA.

With the presidential decision, the government hopes that the integrated program which includes humanitarian operations, functioning local administrations, law enforcement operations and the restoration of security operations, will maintain peace in Aceh and the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia can be preserved.

New York, 20 May 2003