Return to Transcripts main page

CNN World Report

Indonesian Government Announces Military Action Against Aceh Separatists

Aired April 29, 2001 - 14:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: Exxon Mobil says it is prepared to wait indefinitely before reopening gas fields in the troubled Indonesian province of Aceh. The company temporarily shut down fields last month out of concerns for safety of employees amid this separatist violence. Separatists rebels in Aceh have been fighting Jakarta for independence for decades, but incidents over the last two years show the conflict is heating up.

Indonesia's RCTI looks at how the president is trying to restore law and order.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (voice-over): The Indonesian government is adamant in setting the record straight on its approach to internal security. Chief Security Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono led a meeting between top government officials and some 120 foreign ambassadors in Jakarta. The main focus of the meeting was the new policy on Aceh.

The government has announced a limited military operation, to deal a decisive blow to the separatists from the Free Aceh movement or GAM, which has waged an armed insurgency for the past two decades. The Wahid administration was the first government to engage GAM in political dialogue, despite its unwillingness to drop demands for independence. Top officials now say the situation has changed, with rebels increasingly turning to violence.

SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO, INDONESIAN CHIEF SECURITY MINISTER: Their methodology, their strategy, and the tactics can be different from time to time. That is why the Indonesian government has to review and update its policies, strategies, and methodologies in dealing with those insurgencies.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: The latest offensive was prompted by shut down in the province's major oil installation in North Aceh, which run by U.S.-based Exxon Mobil. The closure, due to security concerns, has disrupted local economic activities, and hampered Indonesia's liquefied natural gas exports to Japan and South Korea.

Officials say the overall breakdown in law and order has grown beyond the capability of normal law enforcement measures. But unlike previous operations, security forces would have the safety of Aceh's civilian population in mind.

YUDHOYONO: We do hope that by precise, well-defined security operations, then we are able to prevent unnecessary civilian casualties.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Spokesmen for the rebel movement have denied allegations that they are intensifying their arms struggle, saying reports to that effect are coming from the government in an effort to justify their latest offensive.

This is the RCTI news team reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com