INDONESIA: Government opens Aceh to foreign journalists, aid workers

Government official says foreign aid workers and journalists must submit applications to enter devastated area, which could take two weeks to process

The Jakarta Post
Tuesday, December 28, 2004

JAKARTA: Foreign journalists and aid workers are finally being allowed to enter Aceh, following the devastating quake on Sunday, an official confirmed on Tuesday.

Secretary to the coordinating minister for people's welfare Sutedjo Juwono said Jakarta-based foreign journalists could go directly to Aceh after they had secured a pass from local military authorities.

"However, aid workers and journalists not based here are required to submit application letters... which may take two weeks (to process), Sutedjo said.

The government has been urged to allow humanitarian workers to enter Aceh, which was declared off-limits to foreigners when it sent in troops in May 2003 to crush the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Late on Monday, Vice President Jusuf Kalla officially allowed foreign journalists to enter Aceh to cover the disaster's aftermath, reported Antara.

The deputy to coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, Joko Sumaryono, has been appointed the liaison officer for foreign journalists.

Journalists must register with the government before entering Aceh so their movements can be monitored.

Date Posted: 12/28/2004