Indonesia Prepares To Battle GAM Fighters

As the May 12 deadline nears for the Free Aceh Movement to return to peace negotiations or face Indonesian military action, both sides are preparing for the increasingly inevitable battle. Renewed large-scale fighting in Aceh would threaten foreign energy operations in the province and also raise concerns from neighboring countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. But for Jakarta, the timing is right for a planned final showdown in the restive province, and as long as major fighting doesn't spill outside the boundaries of Aceh, Indonesia may be able to weather international political pressure.