29 October 2003 ACEHNESE FIGURES WANT MARTIAL LAW EXTENDED - SENIOR MINISTER Banda Aceh, Aceh - Indonesia's chief security minister, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has said that Acehnese public figures want martial law to be extended in the restive province. "The (extension) of martial law is the wish of the people of Aceh. They have called on the government to extend (martial law)," he told newsmen after breaking his fast at the house of head of East Aceh district on Tuesday night. The government would evaluate the security restoration operation that followed the declaration of martial law in Aceh on May 19, to crush the separatist movement, public relations officer of East Aceh district Muhammad said, quoting Susilo as saying. Susilo noted that the government will decide on Nov 18, a day before the province's martial law status expires. He explained that it would be difficult to stop the momentum of the military operation before the situation in the province is restored. Meanwhile, Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh said on a separate occasion that many Acehnese want the government to extend martial law, as many separatist commanders have yet to be captured. (Antara)

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