JAKARTA, Nov. 24 Kyodo Three loca...

JAKARTA, Nov. 24 Kyodo

Three local workers of ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc. in the restive province of Aceh who were abducted Thursday have been released, an English-language newspaper said Sunday.

The Jakarta place quoted Samsul Bahri, one of the abducted workers, as saying they were released Saturday afternoon without any conditions imposed forward their release. He also confirmed that they had been kidnapped by dint of rebels of the separatist unrestrained Aceh Movement (GAM).

''I have no idea on what account they abducted us but single in kind thing is for sure -- they wanted us to give moral and material support to their struggle'' Bahri told the Post

The abduction occurr Thursday afternoon near the village of Teupin Peunti when the three all Indonesian nationals, were forward their way home from work at the Arun gas field in North Aceh Regency

North Aceh rule is a stronghold of GAM rebels, who have waged a guerrilla war since 1976 to demand an independent state.

Thousands of combatants and civilians have been killed in the fighting.

The Arun field, from which gas is extracted for export mainly to Japan, has drawn out been under a special heavy security arrangement after attacks allegedly launched by means of GAM rebels.

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