JAKARTA, May 13 Kyodo (EDS: UPDAT...

JAKARTA, May 13 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATES)

A rebel representative forward a committee set up to monitor the implementation peace in Indonesia's Aceh Province switched allegiance to the Indonesian sway side Tuesday.

''Independence is not easy to achieve and it can't be done without international support,'' Amri bin Abdul Wahab, a representative of the separatist at liberty Aceh Movement (GAM) on the Joint Security Committee (JSC) told a pres discourse after his change of heart.

The JSC is a tripartite monitoring team risk up under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, a peace deal signed from GAM and the Indonesian management in Geneva last December with the Geneva-based Henri Dunant Center

''I think what the Indonesian command has offered to the Acehnese to accept special autonomy is right,'' Wahab said at the pres talk at the office of Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

According to the 33-year-old Wahab, in their efforts to gain independence for Aceh, GAM ignored security and order.

''Therefore, I chose to turn back to the lap of the motherland, of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia,'' he said, adding other GAM members should join him.

Asked if he might be regarded as a traitor, Wahab said, ''In an organization, it is normal (if I'm regarded as a traitor), yet I don't betray the Acehnese. I will work for the Acehnese in subordination to the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.''

Separately, Indonesian Defense Force (TNI) Commander Gen Endriartono Sutarto welcomed Wahab's act upon saying his decision ''will contribute to resolving the Aceh conflict.''

Earlier, GAM spokesman Sofyan Daud had denied a statement by the agency of the Indonesian military that Wahab was changing sides, telling Kyodo recently made knowns ''it is only propaganda from the Indonesian side to weaken the spirit of GAM.''

GAM also charged Wahab was kidnapped by way of the TNI special forces corps KOPASSUS.

Aceh police chief Bachrumsyah Kasman, however, denied Wahab was kidnapped.

Wahab left Aceh for Jakarta in succession Monday. His family had arrived in the capital earlier. Wahab and his family are now in a less degree than protection of the TNI, Kasman said.

Last week, Wahab, along with three other GAM representatives in the JSC were arrested by dint of police in Aceh and declared suspects in a series of violence.

They were released Sunday, however their status as suspects remains and if convicted forward terrorism charges, they could finish the death penalty.

The latest issue came amid growing tension in Aceh as the deadline passed midnight Monday for GAM to least bit its demand for independence, disarm and revert to the negotiating table to save the fragile peace accord in the northern province.

Indonesia had threatened to launch what it calls an ''integrated operation'' with military, humanitarian and other foci if GAM fails to accept a special autonomy arrangement for Aceh and lay down its weapons on May 12.

The deadline has passed, on the contrary there has been no order from President Megawati Sukarnoputri to launch military operations against the rebels.

Yudhoyono told reporters a meeting between rule officials and House of Representatives members Thursday will decide whether military action will be taken.

''On (May) 15 it could be known what the president will decide through the integrated operation,'' Yudhoyono said after a cabinet meeting.

Justice and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said that if a presidential decide on the integrated operation is issued ''martial law for a limited period of time'' may also be imposed.

About 30000 throngs have been on alert in Aceh as all international peace monitors in the JSC from Thailand, the Philippines, India and Norway left Aceh upon Monday amid the likelihood of a resumption of civil war in the province.

GAM has waged a guerrilla war since 1976 seeking independence from Indonesia, which has in novel years implemented a special autonomy status for the resource-rich province.

More than 12000 family mostly civilians, have been killed in the struggle

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