Indonesian Military Hinders Distribution of Tsunami Aid in Devastated and Wartorn Aceh Province

Interview with Munawar Zainal, with the Aceh Center, conducted by Scott Harris

In one of the world's worst natural disasters, a deadly tidal wave battered the coasts of 11 countries from South Asia to Africa in the Indian Ocean on Dec. 26. Estimates of the death toll have steadily risen and may exceed 150,000, with another half million seriously injured and millions more homeless, hungry and in danger of contracting serious diseases triggered by the collapse of sanitation and health care.

The 9.0 magnitude earthquake that produced the tsunami, was centered 93 miles off the coast of the Indonesian province of Aceh. Estimates of those who died in Indonesia alone is approaching 90,000 -- with most of the fatalities in natural gas rich-Aceh. The destruction wrought by the tidal wave has been compounded by reports of continuing hostilities between the Indonesian military and members of the Free Aceh Movement, who have been fighting for independence since 1976. The decades-long conflict, which has killed some 10,000 Acehnese since 1989, now threatens to hinder the distribution of sorely needed food, water, shelter and medical aid.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Munawar Zainal, of the Pennsylvania-based Aceh Center. Zainal, who lost his sister and another 20 members of his extended family in the tsunami, describes the destruction in his home province and how the conflict in Aceh with the Indonesian military has stalled the distribution of aid to tens of thousands of victims.

For more information on how you can help the people of Aceh call (717) 343-1598 -- or -- visit the websites of East Timor Action Network at www.etan.org or Nonviolence International-USA at www.nonviolenceinternational.net.

Related links:

"Many Thousands Cut Off from Relief: Small fraction of food aid has been delivered," by Peter S. Goodman, The Washington Post, Jan. 4, 2005

"Bodies Rot into the Soil and Poison the Water in the Land of Death," by Kathy Marks, The Independent U.K., Jan. 2, 2005 www.doctorswithoutborders.org

LISTEN to this week's half-hour program of Between The Lines by clicking on one of the links below:

http://www.btlonline.org

*

"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories and interviews with activists and journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national and regional political, economic and social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics and to check out our text archive listing topics and guests presented in previous programs visit: http://www.btlonline.org

*

"Between the Lines," WPKN 89.5 FM's weekly radio news magazine can be heard Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. ET; Wednesdays at 8 a.m. ET and Saturdays at 2 p.m. ET (Wednesday's show airs at 7:30 a.m. ET during fundraising months of April and October).

*

For an email subscription of "Between The Lines Weekly Summary" which features a RealAudio link to the week's program for Between The Lines, send an email to btlsummary-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

*

For an email subscription of "Between The Lines Q&A" which features a RealAudio link and weekly transcript to one of the interviews featured on Between The Lines, send an email to btlqa-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

*

betweenthelines@snet.net

*

http://www.squeakywheel.net/

*

Distributed by Squeaky Wheel Productions

©2005 Between The Lines. All Rights Reserved.