Indonesian combat vessels in Aceh

Indonesian combat vessels in Aceh
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

JAKARTA, DEC 6: The Indonesian navy has dispatched six vessels from the eastern fleet to the waters off the westernmost province of Aceh, a report said here Monday.

"At the order of the navy chief, the Eastern Fleet has sent six vessels to the waters of Aceh," the fleet commander, Rear Admiral Adi Haryono was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying. Haryono did not say when the ships were sent but said they were of the "combat" speedy type.

He also said the boats would continue their presence there until further orders. He said the main reason for dispatching the boats had been to back up security efforts during the 23rd anniversary of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Saturday. The anniversary was largely peaceful. Another reason for the deployment was to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Aceh via the sea, Haryono said. GAM has been fighting for a free Islamic state since 1976. The Indonesian military suspects the movement has been smuggling weapons by boat from neighbouringcountries.

Meanwhile, Indonesian police opened fire on a large rally in a town in Aceh, killing one protestor, activists said on Monday.

A bullet hit Effendi Ahmad in the head Sunday when police fired shots after one of the protestors walked into a barricade in Bireun, Pidie district, an activist with the Information Center for Aceh Referendum (SIRA) told AFP.