DATE=11/19/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA DEFENSE MINISTER (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256356
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
Intro: Indonesia's Defense Minister says people in the
northern province of Aceh will not have the option of
voting for independence in a referendum proposed by
President Abdurrahman Wahid. As Patricia NUNAN reports
from Jakarta, Mr. Wahid's statement earlier this week,
that a referendum could be held in the province, has
sparked controversy throughout Indonesia's parliament
and Armed Forces.
Text: Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudharsono
says if a referendum is held in Aceh, voters would
only be able to cast ballots on whether or not to
accept an autonomy plan for the province. In an
interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation,
Mr. Sudharsono said voters would not have the option
to choose full independence.
Earlier this week Indonesian President Abdurrahman
Wahid said a referendum could be held in Aceh in seven
months. But the president did not give any reasons to
explain that time-frame. Mr. Wahid also did not say
what type of referendum could take place. Most
Acehnese want to vote on independence. But many
Indonesian officials say a referendum should only
allow
voters to cast their ballots on an autonomy plan for
the province versus maintaining the status-quo.
Many officials believe that allowing an independence
vote in Aceh could bring about the break-up of
Indonesia, because it would set the precedent for any
other province to demand the same right.
Demands for a referendum in Aceh have intensifed since
East Timor won independence from Indonesia after a
ballot supervised by the United Nations.
Analysts say many Acehnese are resentful of the
central government because they have little control
over revenue derived from the province's oil and
natural gas deposits.
Many also want to see the complete withdrawal of the
Indonesian military from the province. Human rights
groups say thousands of people have died in Aceh since
1989 when Indonesian troops were sent to the province
to crush a rebel separatist movement.
Meanwhile tensions are rising in Aceh ahead of a
December 4th deadline issued by referendum supporters.
Local parliamentary leaders said Jakarta has to
announce an independence ballot by that date, or else
they would organize
one themselves.
It is also the anniversary of a 1976 declaration of
independence by rebels from the Free Aceh Movement --
a move which was never recognized by Jakarta or the
international community. There is growing fear that
the rebels will launch attacks that day if a
referendum has not been announced.
(Signed)
NEB/PN/PLM
19-Nov-1999 06:32 AM EDT (19-Nov-1999 1132 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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