Separatists in the Indonesian province of Aceh yesterday dismissed military claims that Jakarta had taken control of the whole province and vowed to continue fighting until they get their freedom.
A spokesman in north Aceh, who uses the name Tengku Jamaica, described as a “joke” a statement by Indonesia’s military commander, General Endriartono Sutarto, on Wednesday that government troops now controlled 100% of the province, even though the Free Aceh Movement (Gam) had not yet been defeated. “The military may control the cities, but the countryside is ours,” the rebel spokesman said. “Our numbers have not decreased. Our position is strong.” Full Story
