Ailing rebel leader obtains Indonesian citizenship

By FAKHRURRADZIE GADE
Associated Press Writer

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia - Indonesia restored the citizenship of an ailing founder of Aceh's separatist rebel movement on Wednesday after three decades of exile and a civil war in which thousands died.

Hasan di Tiro, 84, who returned home in 2008, has been hospitalized since last month in Aceh's provincial capital, Banda Aceh, with a failing heart and a lung infection.Security Minister Djoko Suyanto visited the hospital Wednesday to announce the restoration and present a letter of citizenship to di Tiro's relatives.

"This is initiated by the government and the local figures of Aceh," Suyanto said, "We want to do the best for a well-loved figure of the Acehnese."

Supporters, local leaders and former rebels who had gathered at the hospital cheered the announcement.

Di Tiro's condition has deteriorated in recent days, hospital doctor Fachrul Jamal said.

The former rebel leader left Aceh soon after the 1976 civil war began and led the now-dissolved separatist group known as GAM from exile in Sweden. Indonesia revoked his citizenship and he became a Swedish national.

Aceh, an oil- and gas-rich province of 4 million people on Sumatra island's northern tip, had experienced almost constant warfare for more than 140 years, with at least 15,000 people killed in the last round of fighting.

Efforts to end the civil war gained momentum after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck on Dec. 26, 2004, leaving at least 156,000 of the province's people dead or missing and a half million others homeless.

As part of a 2005 peace deal, the rebels gave up their long-held demand for independence and handed over all of their weapons. In exchange, the government allowed them to participate in local politics.

Di Tiro is the grandson of resistance leader Cik di Tiro, a national hero who was killed in combat against occupying Dutch troops in 1891.

Posted in: Associated Press