Indonesia deploys troops to protect Aceh gas field

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Sat, 17 Mar 2001 16:26 AEDT

Indonesia deploys troops to protect Aceh gas field

Indonesia has deployed more than 2,000 troops to protect the huge Arun gas field in the violence-torn province of Aceh in a bid to allow Exxon Mobil to resume its oil and gas operations there.

"I have been told that more than three batallions and a cavalry unit have been deployed and tasked with safeguarding the (gas) installation," Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.

An Indonesian batallion is made up of at least 650 soldiers.

Exxon Mobil halted its operations in the field on March 2 on security grounds after threats from separatist rebels. The field, which exports liquified natural gas (LNG) to clients in Japan and South Korea, is a major source of export earnings for Indonesia.

Exxon's decision has also had severe knock on other industries in the area, notably fertilizer plants which depend on the company for raw materials.

Yudhoyono said that one likely remaining problem was the question of how to assure the safety of workers at the Arun gas field.

"To them we have offered to provide security escorts to and from their workplace and settlements," he said.

Yudhoyono said that workers in the gas field have complained of intimidation from rebels of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

"If Exxon Mobil demands that there should be made 100 per cent sure that there be no intimidation or threat from the GAM towards workers, I think, that can be well arranged," he said.

Indonesia has recently announced plans to mount "limited security operations" to rid Aceh of the GAM, which has been fighting for a free Islamic state in the province since the mid-1970s.

The Government and rebels have held peace talks and signed a series of ceasefire agreements. But they have so far failed to stem violence which has left more than 200 people dead this year.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newslink/nat/newsnat-17mar2001-55.htm

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), March 17, 2001

Answers

batallions? Some one needs a spellchecker. Maybe its Aussie talk.

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), March 17, 2001.

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