US supports Aceh exit deadline
The Indonesian Government has received unexpected support from the United States over its move to regulate the movements of Western aid workers in the province of Aceh. Aid groups have been worried by an increase in the Indonesian military's role in reconstruction and relief efforts. But the US ambassador says there have been no delays for Western aid workers. The director of US aid in the region, William Frej, concurs. "The collaborative relationship that the aid deliverers have with the TNI [Indonesian military] up there, that is one of the really remarkable stories of this whole event," Mr Frej said. "The Army has been very collaborative, supportive, cooperative in both protecting relief workers as well as getting supplies out." Many aid groups are more skeptical, worried the Army will once again begin its military campaign against separatist rebels in Aceh. The US ambassador says the 14,000-strong US force near Aceh will leave at Indonesia's request.
Posted by: God Save The World 2005-01-14 |