HE had a hard, muscular body, with sharp, penetrating eyes. Carrying an AK-47, Ishak Daud, 44, is the central character behind the drama in which RCTI cameraman Ferry Santoro was released last week. Ishak, who for a whole year moved Ferry from jungle camp to jungle camp deep inside Aceh, agreed to release him following tough negotiations. No gunfire was involved; no blood was shed.

Ishak Daud is a GAM commander for the area of Peurelak. During th