Rebels won't disrupt ExxonMobil restart: Report
Thursday, July 19 2001 - 03:45 PM WIB
Free-Aceh Movement rebel group said Thursday it doesn't intend to disrupt the resumption of natural gas production by ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc. in the restive area, according to Dow Jones Newswire.
"We have nothing to do with ExxonMobil," said Abdul Wahab, the spokesman of the rebel group. "Our enemy is the (Indonesian) military."
He, however, couldn't guarantee that ExxonMobil's operations won't be disrupted by crossfires between the rebel group and security forces.
The Indonesian unit of the Texas-based Exxon Mobil Corp late Wednesday restarted natural gas production at one of its three onshore fields in Aceh.
It suspended operations in March, citing security concerns.
The suspension halted exports of liquefied natural gas worth $100 million a month, depriving Indonesia's cash-strapped government of much needed revenue.(*)