M. Rizal Maslan, Jakarta - The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) believes that arrest of three Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leaders in Sweden is a political victory and they now need to lobby for GAM to be included in the list of international terrorist organisations.

"This is an [important] moment for us in achieving a political victory. Therefore we must use this moment so that GAM's relationship with the international [community] is severed and their credibility declines".

This issue was raised by the BIN chief A.M. Hendropriyono following a special politics and security meeting at the offices of the coordinating minister of politics and security on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta on Thursday June 17.

"If this is followed up with sanctions, it means GAM has been isolated. They will have be no more international sponsors", he said.

If they are convicted he continued, it means that GAM is a terrorist organisation because they have blatantly violated Swedish law which is accepted internationally. BIN has asked the Swedish Attorney General to handle the case through legal means. If this succeeds, there will be political benefits.

[Excelled GAM leader] Hasan Tiro was not detained because of poor health and only Zaini Abdullah and Malik Muhammad have been detained? "Yeah, that's up to the Swedes. We can't interfere in the laws of another country. We can only assist", said Hendropriyono.

When asked about what new information BIN has on the case he explained that the information which is need by the Swedish prosecution and police is different from that held by BIN.

"As far as I am concerned, it must be proven to be a transnational crime. This includes terrorism and the weapons in their possession. What remains is to lobby [and see] how it is received by the international [community] so that GAM will be included in the list of international terrorist organisations", said Hendropriyono. (sss)

[Translated by James Balowski.]