http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailnational.asp?fileid=20071002.H02&irec=1
Conflict areas more peaceful: Govt
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government has said the situation in the three conflict areas of Aceh,
Maluku and Papua are moving steadily toward peace -- but said national security
would remain "on alert against separatist movements".
"In general, security conditions in the three areas are relatively conducive to
peace ... there are almost no armed conflicts," Coordinating Minister for
Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo A.S. was quoted as saying by
Antara.
Widodo met with the House of Representatives Commission I overseeing defense
and security affairs on Monday, along with Maritime Affair and Fisheries
Minister Freddy Numberi, the Indonesia Military chief Air Chief Marshal Djoko
Suyanto, the National Police chief Gen. Sutanto and the State Intelligence
Agency chief Syamsir Siregar.
Widodo said small criminal incidents in Aceh were because Aceh residents were
not satisfied with tsunami rehabilitation works or with post-conflict
reintegration efforts.
"Flag-burning and the establishment of a new local party GAM are against the
spirit of Helsinki peace agreement and have led to security incidents in Aceh,"
Widodo said.
The flag-burning incident took place in North Aceh before the celebration of
Indonesia's Independence Day on Aug. 17.
Aug. 17 also saw some 150 national flags lowered across Aceh, including in the
provincial capital Banda Aceh.
Widodo said the implementation in Papua of a special autonomy status and the
following developments throughout Papua and West Papua provinces had eased
security problems there.
However, Papuan armed and unarmed separatists movement still exist. The armed
group is considered a threat despite its small size.
The Free Papua Organization (OPM) is involved in a low-level conflict in Papua.
"The separatist groups often focus on poor human rights and slow development
issues," Widodo said.
"They also try to bring Papua issues to the international arena to demand the
United Nations review the integration of Papua into Indonesia."
On Maluku, Widodo said the separatists incidents carried out by supporters of
the South Maluku Republic (RMS) included a separatist flag being raised in
Ambon on July 3. And he said on March 24 a flag was flown in Utrecht, the
Netherlands.
Widodo said RMS supporters were seeking sympathy from local and international
communities through "the distribution of brochures, flag raising activities and
bombings".
"They just want to show their existence to local and international
communities," he said.
RMS supporters performed on June 29 a cakalele war dance and tried to unfurl a
separatist flag in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who was in Ambon
to commemorate National Family Day.
Widodo said his office had issued policies to prevent similar disintegration
movements nationwide.
"Technically, we are conducting intelligence and defense operations for the
defense sector," he said.
"The central government also urges regional administrations to carry out
existing regional autonomy schemes.
"Regions should develop local economies to increase their public's welfare."
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