War of words erupts over Aceh killings

By CNN's Atika Shubert and wires

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia -- Separatist rebels have blamed the Indonesian military and President Megawati for killing at least 31 people in the restive province of Aceh.

The victims were lined up and gunned down Thursday -- just hours before President Megawati Sukarnoputri swore in her new cabinet.

It was the worst mass killing in Aceh for more than a year.

Separatist rebels of the Free Aceh Movement pinned the blame on the military and their close ties to President Megawati -- a sore point for the new administration.

"This shows the barbarian practices of the military, Indonesia's killing machine, whether under the New Order era of former President Suharto or today, under President Megawati's leadership," rebel leader Abu Sofyan Daud said in a statement to the press.

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Top military officials attending today's swearing-in ceremony bristled at the accusations, instead blaming Free Aceh for the killings.

"It was the Free Aceh Movement who were cornered and opened fire indiscriminately," said General Endriartono Sutarto, Army Chief of Staff.

Aceh's struggle for independence is likely to be the first crucial test of national unity for President Megawati's new administration.

Thousands have been killed in Aceh's decades-long insurgency - many of them victims of the military's brutal campaign to eliminate the separatist movement. This year the death toll has climbed alarmingly, with more than 1000 people already killed.

President Megawati is under pressure -- both internationally and domestically -- to stop the violence on both sides but also to keep Indonesia's powerful military in check.

"She has to move on Aceh. It has become an impossible as well as an international issue for her. Pressures are building up everywhere, especially in the US Congress," said Jusuf Wanandi, Director for the Jakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"She will also get the immediate credibility that she is in charge of the military and willing to have a political solution in Aceh. Showing that she is the boss of the military which was always pushing for a military solution."

Megawati's military ties

President Megawati's harshest critics have denounced her ties to top generals, calling her a "puppet" of military interests.

Last year, the sight of then Vice President Megawati donning a soldier's uniform to celebrate National Armed Forces Day sent a shiver down the spines of rights activists.

They feared a return to the repressive measures of former President Suharto, when the military became a political tool of the executive.

Her recent appointment of a retired military general, Hari Sabarno, to the powerful Home Affairs Ministry raised eyebrows.

More disconcerting for Megawati's critics was the appointment of Hendropriyono to head the National Intelligence Body - another retired general that, human rights groups say, has a long record of human rights abuses.

Twin-pronged approach

Balancing her military appointments, however, was the installation of Hasan Wirayuda to the key post of Foreign Affairs.

A seasoned diplomat, Wirayuda was instrumental in bringing Free Aceh to the negotiating table with the help of the Henri Dunant Center in Switzerland.

As Foreign Minister, Wirayuda will be key in maintaining international support and pushing for a political - not military - solution.

Speaking immediately after his swearing-in ceremony, Chief Security Minister, retired general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stressed the government would continue to push a two-pronged approach in Aceh: negotiations and a security forces crack down on violence allegedly caused by Free Aceh.

President Megawati's challenge remains striking a balance between force and diplomacy, punishing armed insurgents and rewarding political negotiators with talks.