Indonesia’s New Year Bombing Of Acheh Condemned
The State Of Acheh The Minister 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.
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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs