Indonesian Gov't Reaffirms Opposing Aceh, Irian Jaya Breakaway

The unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia is final, so there is no opportunity for Aceh and Irian Jaya to become independent, a senior government official reaffirmed.

The Indonesian government will never accept independence demands from the rebellious provinces of Aceh and Irian Jaya because Indonesia's unitary statehood can never be altered, The Indonesian Observer daily Tuesday quoted Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang yudhoyono as saying.

The minister made the statement Monday when responding to questions of a plan by certain parties to declare Irian Jaya and Aceh independence on December 1 and December 4, 2001 respectively.

After attending a cabinet meeting, Yudhoyono said: "there will be no possibilities for them (Aceh and Irian Jaya) to become independent and separate from Indonesia. The unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia is the final."

The Indonesian government has made efforts to curb the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)'s rebellious action. A Cease-fire agreement has been signed by the two sides. However, violence has continued.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Mohammad Mahfud said the people of Aceh cannot alone decide whether their territory should remain part of Indonesia.

He said that only the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the country's top legislature, has the right to allow a referendum to be held on independence, adding that such a ballot should be participated in by all citizens of Indonesia, not just those in Aceh.

Rebels belonging to the GAM have been fighting for independence for their oil and gas rich homeland for about 25 years, leaving more than 5,000 people dead in the past decade. A separatist group in Irian Jaya has also campaigning to break away from Indonesia.

But, not single country has officially given support for separatist movements in the two troubled provinces, because the international community recognize them as integral parts of Indonesia.



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