Tsunami Aid Groups Told: If You Want To Stay - Do Not Interfere

Foreign relief groups that wish to continue their post-tsunami work in Aceh, Indonesia, must not "interfere in the internal affairs of the country," a government official has warned.

The military, which has an active presence in the area, fears that international involvement would increase sympathy for guerillas of the Free Aceh Movement, says the Associated Press.

The government is currently writing a "memorandum of understanding" that aid groups will have to sign in order to stay in the country, said Komet Mangiri, an adviser to Alwi shihab, whom is in charge of the aid effort.

"The MOU contains the procedures and conditions that must be fulfilled by the Non Governmental Organisations such as not interfering in domestic affairs and not working for separatists interest," Mangiri said.

Foreign aid groups will be expected to receive the document within a week and "Eligible foreign NGOs" will receive notification in two weeks.

The warning follows previous announcements that only aid groups working in the "reconstruction sector" would be allowed to remain in the Aceh province.

High-ranking Indonesian political and military figures have blamed the U.N and international groups for supporting East Timor’s separation from Indonesia in 1999.

Though the people in Acech have welcomed the foreign aid, they recognise that the government cannot manage the aid-work alone, reported AP.

Since 1976, rebels in the region have been fighting for independence. Over 12,000 have been killed so far. Over the years, human rights groups have openly accused the Indonesian army of executing, kidnapping, and torturing innocent civilians in the region.







Francis Helguero
Christian Today Correspondent