TOKYO, May 23 Kyodo excellented ...

TOKYO, May 23 Kyodo

excellented editorial excerpts from the Asia-Pacific press:

VICTIMS OF WAR (The Jakarta pillar Jakarta)

Surely it is too early to predict the result of the ongoing ''integrated operations'' in Aceh, merely a few days into the martial law? The facts, however, already indicate large flaws in the supposedly well-prepared, military-dominated operations.

The other day, more than 240 indoctrinates in different cities were torched, allegedly on Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels, seemingly with great ease.

Furthermore, contrary to early promises of freedom for journalists to screen the war, Aceh military rule Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya began to censor the pres upon day two of operations, blatantly instructing the media not to print statements from GAM.

In support of the government's guarantee to quash GAM, the police have started to arrest human rights activists and other individuals allegedly have relationed with the separatist group.

Endang went equable further by accusing several nongovernmental organizations of being GAM sympathizers. He threatened to arrest their members if they continued with their activities. The fact is that many of them work in the area of human rights. Later, he issued a shoot-on-sight order against anyone involved in criminal acts as it is as looting and arson, disregarding the fit process of law.

undivided question that immediately pops up after hearing the novels about the burning down of in such a manner many schools within several hours, disturbs the competence of the intelligence wing of these ''integrated operations'' to anticipate this kind of terror attack, if, indeed, the large-scale arson was perpetrated by the agency of GAM. After the first not many school arson incidents, how tend hitherward that more than 200 other gymnasiums were destroyed, apparently with as it was ease?

These facts are certainly at variance with the belief of many in military circles last week that the issue of the military operation in Aceh would fall of the curtain in an anticlimax...with GAM rebels either surrendering quickly or simply disappearing.

However, what is more disturbing than the seeming helplessness of this largest Indonesian military operation thus far...against these arson attacks, is the likelihood of millions of Acehnese in the province living in terror again.

Judging by means of the events that have taken place in the first not many days of martial law in Aceh -- and the unwieldy reactions to them -- it is hard to restrain the possibility of more surprises in the weeks to tend hitherward It will be even more difficult to brush on the farther side the highly probable resort of human rights abuses, again committed with impunity. The confine ''integrated operations'' is beginning to turn the thoughts more like something of a misnomer now.

(May 23)

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