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Indonesia withdraws from ceasefire

13 May 2003, JAKARTA - The Indonesian government withdrew from a five-month ceasefire with rebels in the province of Aceh yesterday, citing the rebels' failure to renounce their claims to independence. Most of the 50 international ceasefire monitors withdrew as thousands of Indonesian soldiers moved into the province on the northern tip of Sumatra.
Indonesia's foreign minister, Hasan Wirajuda, said Jakarta made its decision after its deadline to the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) passed yesterday without "satisfactory response". The armed forces' commander, General Endriartono Sutarto, told MPs that no final decision had been taken on resuming hostilities but that his troops were "at an optimal state of readiness".
The Indonesian cabinet is expected to decide on Wednesday on a four-pronged strategy that involves a military operation, stricter law enforcement, economic and humanitarian assistance and justice for past abuses. The army claims it can defeat GAM in six months although it has failed in 26 years of fighting.