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 Indonesian Defence Minister Juwono SudharsonoSpeaking about the referendum plans  real 28k The BBC's Patricia Noonan in Jakarta"No independence referendum" real 28k |
Indonesia rules out Aceh independence
A poster of the Free Aceh Movement |
Indonesia is prepared to offer greater autonomy to the province of Aceh but not full independence, says Defence Minister Juwono Sudharsono.
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Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid earlier said a referendum should be held in Aceh, despite growing opposition from parliament and the military.
But he did not specify what options would be on any referendum paper.
Mr Sudharsono said independence was not an option: "The president is firm on that".
"The referendum will only consider two options: one is accepting the present arrangement; or two, greater autonomy."
He also said the government would be very cautious before heeding calls from the military to impose martial law in Aceh, as a heavy police and military presence could provoke further unrest.
There has been concern in Indonesia that the country could disintegrate after the successful pro-independence campaign in East Timor.
Anti-Jakarta feeling is running high in Aceh after years of human rights abuses by the armed forces and what is seen as plundering of Aceh's wealth by the central government.
Thousands of mainly non-Acehnese are fleeing. They fear an upsurge in rebel violence if the independence movement gathers pace.
And rumours have been circulating that the separatist Free Aceh rebels will launch attacks on and around 4 December - the anniversary of the movement's founding.
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"We have to be very careful in even considering the application of a heavy military presence or police presence, precisely because of the sensitivity of the situation on the ground at the moment."
The military has earlier complained about Mr Wahid's demand that it reduce its presence in the province.
Mr Sudarsono said the military supported the Acehnese having a referendum on greater autonomy.
The government has also sppeeding up the court cases of five soldiers and police officers accused of human rights abuses in the province, as demanded by the Acehnese.
The President's call for a referendum was criticised by the parliamentary speaker, Akbar Tanjung, because the house was not consulted before the announcement was made.
And a meeting of senior parliamentary officials and parliamentary leaders of various parties on Wednesday rejected any vote.
They are concerned that a referndum could destroy the unity of the world's fourth most populous nation, which has 210 million people spread over 17,000 ethnically-diverse islands
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See also: |
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04 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Wahid backs Aceh ballot |
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08 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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In pictures: Acehnese on the streets |
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23 Aug 99 | From Our Own Correspondent |
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Aceh: Still dreaming of freedom |
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17 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Thousands flee troubled Aceh |
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04 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Indonesia troops to leave Aceh |
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21 Aug 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Aid running out in Aceh |
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09 Nov 99 | SPECIAL REPORT |
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The fragile archipelago |
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16 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Aceh vote 'in seven months' |
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