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Islamists warn on Aceh
A HARDLINE Indonesian Islamic group has attacked the presence of Australian aid workers in tsunami-devastated Aceh, as Labor raised concerns yesterday about their safety in the troubled province. Habib Rizieq Shihab, head of the Islamic Defender's Front (FPI), said Australian assistance in Aceh could herald the start of an East Timor-style intervention designed to secure independence for the troubled northern province. The Australian Government insisted yesterday it had no interest in any military involvement in Aceh and played down a threat of confrontation with the growing number of Islamist relief workers also flooding into the area. John Howard, in an interview on global news network CNN, ruled out any involvement by Australian troops in peacekeeping or arming troops on the ground. The Prime Minister said Australia was not interested in picking sides on Aceh, but was there "as a friend trying to give practical help". "We're not there in a military role, it's just that our military are there in a humanitarian role," he said. But Mr Shihab told The Australian he feared the presence of hundreds of Australian troops in Aceh would corrupt the province's strict Islamic culture.
| Horrors! Oh hold me, Fatima! |
Mr Shihab accused Canberra of using the excuse of humanitarian assistance to support a long-term strategy of undermining Indonesian sovereignty. Australia's strategy in Indonesia was best seen by its role in helping East Timor gain independence, he said. "We need to be vigilant. We do not want a second East Timor."
| "All those people running around without holy men? What kind of society is that, huh? Then they'll actually elect their leaders, and then where will they be? Riddle me that one!" |
He said thousands of his supporters were already in Aceh monitoring the behaviour of foreign troops, including Australians. "Please Australia, move your feet from Indonesia as soon as your humanitarian work is done," he said. "They should not corrupt Islamic sharia law in force in Aceh, because we know that these foreign soldiers like to bring prostitutes with them. Also, these soldiers drink alcohol and in Aceh it is strictly forbidden." The Australian army was enforcing a strict no-alcohol policy for personnel in Aceh to avoid offending devout Muslim communities, a senior military officer said last night.
| That automatically make Aceh a hardship post for the Aussies. |
Posted by: tipper 2005-01-10 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=53329 |
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