Acheh State denies involvement in Peureulak's bombing
Press Release of the Acheh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
We strongly deny of any involvement in the senseless terror
bombing on the New Year's Eve in Peureulak, East Acheh. We believe that it was
the work of the Indonesian military occupation forces or the militia units they
have trained and are operating openly all over Acheh since the imposition of
the martial law. Actually, in East Acheh militia groups have been active under
the supervision of the Indonesian military command for years. This latest atrocity
against the civilian population is clearly an attempt:
To divert the current public attention regarding the killing of RCTI's reporter Sory Ersa Siregar by Indonesian troops on December 29, 2003.
To tarnish GAM's image as freedom fighters and present it as a group of terrorist.
To divert the current public attention regarding the killing of RCTI's reporter Sory Ersa Siregar by Indonesian troops on December 29, 2003.
To tarnish GAM's image as freedom fighters and present it as a group of terrorist.
We want to make it clear that GAM is fighting for the legitimate rights of Achehnese for independence from Indonesian colonialism. It is thus beyond comprehension to target our own people and invite the hatred of the population. We are fighting against the GoI and its marauding military forces operating in Acheh.
GAM demands for a comprehensive investigation on both incidents, the death of Ersa Siregar and this latest carnage in Peureulak. For that purpose, an Independent Board of Inquiry should be established immediately.
Dr. Zaini Abdullah
Foreign Minister of the State of Acheh, in exile
