Aceh peace talks put at risk as violence rages on<\/p>\n
Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
Activists on Thursday cast doubts over the upcoming Aceh peace
\ntalks, as violence continued unabated with neither the separatist
\nFree Aceh Movement (GAM) nor the government willing to back down
\nfrom preconditions to move into a dialog.<\/p>\n
Next month's all-inclusive dialog is expected to mark a
\nbreakthrough in ending nearly three decades of violence in
\nNanggroe Aceh Darussalam province by getting the two warring
\nsides to speak.<\/p>\n
But worsening security conditions had set back chances of a
\nsuccessful meeting, the activists said.<\/p>\n
A lecturer at Aceh's State Syiah Kuala University, Takwaddin,
\nsaid people feared that the dialog would fail just like others
\ndid before.<\/p>\n
\"They've held eight dialogs before and all have come to
\nnothing because of the violence,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Geneva-based Henry Dunant Center will mediate the dialog,
\nwhich will serve as an alternative to the ongoing peace talks the
\nCenter sponsors.<\/p>\n
A source close to the dialog's preparation process said the
\nworsening security conditions could block the dialog from taking
\nplace at all.<\/p>\n
The source said that Henry Dunant officials canceled two
\npreliminary meetings, the last one of which was slated for June
\n21. \"They've never given any clear reasons for canceling the
\nmeetings.\"<\/p>\n
In another sign of uncertainty, Coordinating Minister for
\nPolitical and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said GAM
\nhad yet to accept Indonesia's pre-conditions for the dialog.<\/p>\n
The government insists further talks with GAM would only be
\npossible under the framework of a unitary state of Indonesia and
\nGAM agreeing to a proposed special autonomy package.<\/p>\n
\"Important for Indonesia is that GAM is serious about
\naccepting the special autonomy and ceasing its armed resistance.
\nThe rest is negotiable, that's the point,\" Susilo said after
\nattending a Cabinet meeting with the President.<\/p>\n
GAM has been fighting for Aceh's complete independence since
\n1976. More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have since died
\nbecause of the conflict.<\/p>\n
Criticism against the government increased since its
\ncomprehensive program to end the conflict not only failed but
\nworsened the situation in Aceh.<\/p>\n
Under the program launched in January, the military has built
\nup its presence in the province and reactivated the Iskandar Muda
\nMilitary Command. The death toll for 2002 so far is more than
\n400.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu asked
\nHouse of Representatives legislators to support the ongoing
\nmilitary operation in Aceh despite an upsurge of casualties.<\/p>\n
Analysts have said the military was part of the problem
\ninstead of the solution and were blocking efforts to break the
\ncircle of violence.<\/p>\n
However they said there was little incentive for Jakarta to
\npush ahead with negotiations amid signs that GAM's forces were
\nweakening.<\/p>\n
Outside of Indonesia, few countries support an independent
\nAceh state as GAM demands. Most have urged GAM to accept the
\ngovernment's special autonomy status.<\/p>\n
Earlier reports have shown GAM negotiators leaning toward
\nacceptance of the offer but as yet nothing concrete has been
\ndone.<\/p>\n
To save the dialog from collapsing, Chairman of the Aceh
\nReferendum Center of Information (SIRA), Mohammad Nazar called
\nfor a cease fire ahead of the all-inclusive dialog.<\/p>\n
\"It will help if the government and GAM first discuss the
\ndialog mechanism first, including the safety guarantee for the
\nparticipants,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Nazar reminded the government not to arrest any GAM negotiator
\nwho rejects the special autonomy offer.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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