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Rebels say 17 civilians killed in Aceh fighting
Separatists in the Indonesian province of Aceh claim 17 civilians have been killed during the military offensive, now in its second day. A spokesman for the Free Aceh Movement says people were shot and then burned. He says many houses have been burned as well. Indonesia's military says it has killed four rebels, while four soldiers have been wounded. The military has accused the separatists of burning down at least 20 schools and has denied any involvement in civilian deaths. Indonesia's military chief General Endriartono Sutarto has warned the rebels they will be "wiped out". Sutarto told around 400 officers in a briefing in the provincial capital to hunt down the rebels "and exterminate them."
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General Sutarto said rebels would be well treated if they give up. "But if they continue to be stubborn and raise arms, and continue to cause suffering to the people, then your sole duty is to exterminate them," he said. He ordered soldiers to avoid civilian casualties and said any excesses against civilians would bring severe punishment. "What you are doing here now is being broadcast all over the world," General Sutarto said. "If there are soldiers who do violate (the order) and cause suffering to people in the field, then just shoot them in the head," he told the officers.
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Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-05-20 |
