A broader perspective on Aceh<\/p>\n
Students turned out to be among the first victims of violence
\nin Aceh (since the military operations). More than 300 school
\nbuildings in the troubled province of Aceh were set ablaze as of
\nSunday, May 25, forcing about 100,000 children to stay at home.
\nIf the arson was committed by the separatist Free Aceh Movement
\n(GAM), the people will certainly no longer respect the rebels.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said
\nthe government had anticipated all crimes GAM could possibly
\ncommit, including burning farms and agricultural fields. Yet he
\nsaid the government did not realize that GAM would be base enough
\nto burn down schools.<\/p>\n
The appeal of the chief of the Indonesian Red Cross, Mar'ie
\nMuhammad, comes at the right time. In line with the Geneva
\nConvention, all parties must provide access to Red Cross
\nvolunteers to provide humanitarian services to everyone,
\nregardless of which side they are on.<\/p>\n
Actually, whose problem is this -- that of the Indonesian
\nMilitary, of the government, or all of us as a nation? How far
\ndoes this problem reinforce the fact that we are a nation in
\ncrisis? How far does the comprehension of the unitary state of
\nthe Indonesian Republic still live, not only at the rational
\nlevel, but also in an emotional sense?<\/p>\n
This is why settling the problem of GAM is part of our joint
\ntask to reestablish the existence of a united Indonesian Republic
\n-- on both a rational and emotional level -- the existence of a
\nstate that provides justice and prosperity for all its peoples.<\/p>\n
-- Kompas, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-broader-perspective-on-aceh-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }