Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri on her first visit to the restive Aceh province since declaring a major military offensive last year, hinted Sunday that martial law in the region may not be extended when it expires in May. Escorted by armored vehicles and hundreds of machine gun-toting soldiers, Megawati was driven into the provincial capital, Banda Aceh for a three-hour visit to inaugurate development projects. "We can only continue development if there is peace," Megawati said at Syah Kuala University. "Security conditions here can be improved. And the presidential decree to extend martial law can end within its allotted time frame (in May), so that the situation can return to normal."
| "Unless youse guys don't know how to shaddup, in which case I flattens youse!" |
In the past, military officials have said that if martial law was revoked, military operations may still continue on a smaller scale.
| "It's always elk season in Aceh!" |
In May, Megawati imposed martial law and ordered renewed military operations against the Free Aceh Movement after an internationally sponsored peace deal broke down. She issued a presidential decree to extend martial law for a further six months in November, despite pleas by rights groups for an end to the operation that has killed more than 1,500 rebels and civilians. Like previous crackdowns, the current offensive has been marred by allegations of human rights abuses by soldiers, which critics say is fueling the rebellion.
| Of course; this is Indonesia! |
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