THE STATE OF ACHEH
ACHEH NATIONAL ARMED FORCES (TNA)
MILITARY INFORMATION CENTER

www.asnlf.net



Atjèh Rajeuk Liberated Territory: Jan. 3, 2005


On behalf of people of Acheh, the TNA Commander in-Chief would like to
extend our deepest gratitude to the peoples and governments of
countries that have not only shared our griefs and losses but have
come to help our suffering people in such a swift, massive and
unprecedented generosity. We also take this opportunity to thank our
traditionally compassionate NGO friends, humanitarian organisations
and individuals from various nationalities including Indonesians who
have braved all obstacles, natural as well as incomprehensible human
deceits. This natural calamities that have befallen on our country
have even moved some hardened Indonesian military and police
personnels into performing most human actions, for which we could only
reciprocate at this point in time with heartfelt gratitude.

 We forget not to mention the relentless works of the mass media
 people,both in Indonesia and abroad, in making the agonies of our
 people heard and seen all over the world.

 Thousands upon thousands of our brothers, sisters, parents and
 children have perished in the catastrophe. But for us Achehnese, this
 calamity is somewhat matched by the overwhelming sympathy of the
 world that restores our faith in the basic goodness of mankind. To
 those in neighbouring countries who are suffering also like us, and
 to the families of many unfortunate tourists who happened to be at
 the wrong place the wrong time on Dec. 26, 2004, we can only offer
 our most hearfelt condolences.

 Having mentioned the silver lining of the dark cloud engulfing out
 nation, we can't but be aware also of the sinister attitude of the
 Government of Indonesia, not only for having placed ridiculous
 obstacles in the distribution of the aid supplies, but has seen it
 fit to send replacement for tens of ``thousans of its soldiers who
 perished in the earthquake and the tsunami. This reinforcement is
 being carried out under the guise of the search and rescue operations
 for family members of the soldiers. Many independent NGO and press
 reports have confirmed our own field reports that the TNI are not
 helping the victims at all as claimed by Jakarta . Indeed the
 operational commander of the Indonesian military in Acheh himself has
 stated that military operations against our forces are to continue as
 usual, despite the declaration of ceasefire by General Endriartono.

 Indonesian soldiers in the field are harassing the victims, imposing
 such ridiculous conditions as producing identity cards for obtaining
 food, that did not come from Jakarta in the first place. Those who
 fail to present their i.d. papers are harassed, even beaten
 up. People in coastal areas have been forced also to dive and
 retrieve weapons swept away in the sea in fear that these guns would
 fall into our hands, while in fact, we have faithfully adhered to the
 instruction of our political leadership in Stockholm to maintain the
 unilateral ceasefire.

 Finally, we would like to call on the international community,
 especially to the United Nations, whose Secretary General, Mr. Kofi
 Annan has announced a visit to our devastated country this Thursday,
 to commence a political dialogue between the warring parties in
 Acheh, in order to take advantage of the current spirit of
 cooperation and find, if not a solution to the conflict, just a
 mechanism for a moratorium on hostilities so that the people of Acheh
 could concentrate on rebuilding their lives with the generous help
 from the international commununity unhindered by the shenanigans of
 some selfish colonial military commanders.


TNA Commander in-Chief

Muzakkir Manaf