Aceh rebel offer worth pondering<\/p>\n
The offer by the Aceh separatists for a ceasefire with the
\nIndonesian army in the wake of the tsunami disaster in northern
\nSumatra was cynical. It was a shameless and manipulative device
\naimed almost entirely at gaining attention and sympathy for the
\nillegal and dangerous Free Aceh Movement known as GAM.<\/p>\n
But the ceasefire offer is also a great idea that the
\nauthorities in Jakarta should have thought of. It is encouraging
\nthey are responding, and seek to turn disaster relief into a
\nbeneficial peace for Aceh. Hostilities in Aceh effectively ceased
\non the morning of Dec. 26 anyhow.<\/p>\n
Now Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla says the government
\nwants to turn the ceasefire into a permanent truce. This is
\nencouraging. Neither the army nor the rebels have made gains in
\nthe wake of the disaster.<\/p>\n
The decision by the government to offer even more than GAM is
\nwelcome news, and any peace profit goes to the people of Aceh in
\nany case.<\/p>\n
There are times to use strong security and military measures
\nagainst threats to national unity. This is not one. While no GAM
\nattack or threat should go unanswered, Jakarta must remain
\nmilitarily passive. There is a strong possibility some good can
\nemerge, with the help of the UN and other relief efforts. It
\nmight be that Jakarta and GAM, with a common interest in
\nrebuilding Aceh, can build their own fragile relations.
\n-- The Bangkok Post<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aceh-rebel-offer-worth-pondering-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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