Military

DATE=06/05/03

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=ACEH / SCHOOL BURNING

NUMBER=5-53909

BYLINE=ZUL TAJIBNAPIS

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

NOT VOICED:

INTRO: It has been more than two weeks since Indonesia began military operations in Aceh, following the breakdown of peace talks in Japan in May. As we hear in this report prepared by V-O-A's Zulkarnain in Washington more than 100-thousand students and their parents have been affected by the renewed conflict in the restive province.

TEXT: /// DULLAH ACT (in Acehnese) ///

The situation is getting worse. Villagers are being housed in a mosque. What is going on in this country? Schools are burned down. Children can no longer go to school. We are helpless as parents.

/// END ACT ///

This is Dullah, a 30-year old resident of Bireuen in Northern Aceh. His son, age 10, cannot continue his education because the school is no longer there. Dullah expresses anger at the situation that is beyond his control.

Indeed, the situation has changed dramatically in Aceh following unsuccessful attempts of the government and the Aceh rebels to solve their conflict through dialogue. Indonesian authorities ordered military action, and troops were sent to the region.

/// SOUND OF TROOPS LANDED IN ACEH ///

Thousands of Indonesian troops landed in Aceh. Armed clashes involving government troops and rebels began to escalate and spread to wider areas. Nurdin, of the daily newspaper "Serambi Indonesia" reported from the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, more schools have been burned down.

/// NURDIN ACT (in Indonesian) ///

According to official data issued by the Office of Aceh Provincial Education, almost 400 schools have been destroyed. Many are elementary schools, located in remote areas."

/// END ACT ///

No one seems to know for sure who is responsible for burning down the schools. The Indonesian military and the rebel group, GAM, accused each other of being involved in the campaign. Again reporter Nurdin.

/// NURDIN ACT (in Indonesian) ///

A number of local residents said the school burnings often occurred at night. Several shots were fired into the air before a building was burned down, possibly to warn people not to go out of the house when the burning took place. "

/// END ACT ///

Syukron is a reporter for the daily newspaper "Waspada," in the northern Aceh town Bireuen. He says it is difficult find independent sources who can identify whoever was involved in the campaign of school burnings.

/// SYUKRON ACT (in Indonesian) ///

My observations indicated that the persons who burned down the schools were armed and unidentified. These persons were not wearing any uniform. Local residents refused to talk for fear of becoming the sources of stories. They were afraid of their names being mentioned in the media."

/// END ACT ///

Amiruddin, another resident of Bireuen, could not hide his anger when he talked about school burnings. He and his wife have two children. Her daughter, Rahmawati, is a high school student.

/// RAHMAWATI ACT (in Indonesian) ///

I am very sad because I cannot go to school anymore. I am studying at home with friends. I hope they will rebuild the school soon. I cannot go to another school because I do not have the money for the transportation."

/// END ACT ///

Authorities are under pressure to rebuild schools as soon possible in time for the students to take exams before the beginning of a new semester. The government in Jakarta promised to send hundreds of tents to Aceh for use as temporary schools. (Signed)

NEB/ZT/FC/KBK