Acehnese refugees place hope in peace talks<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan<\/p>\n
Acehnese displaced by the tsunami are closely watching the
\nprogress of a new round of peace talks between the government and
\nthe Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Finland.<\/p>\n
Most of the displaced Acehnese living in shelter in Medan
\nbelieve the separatists want only one thing: to separate from
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
"I will stay here forever if Aceh separates from the country,"
\nsaid 28-year-old Wanda, who fled her home in Aceh Jaya regency in
\nthe wake of the Dec. 26 tsunami and is now living in a shelter
\nmanaged by the Aceh Sepakat Association.<\/p>\n
She fears what would happen if the province was given its
\nindependence, painting a picture of endless conflict as different
\nAcehnese groups fought for power.<\/p>\n
Wanda said Acehnese were often used as human shields by GAM
\nrebels, but she also accused the Indonesian Military (TNI) of
\ninflicting violence on the people of Aceh.<\/p>\n
"We wish TNI and GAM would work together and protect the
\npeople because we have suffered enough," said Wanda, who has been
\nin Medan since Jan. 7.<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said earlier the Indonesian
\ngovernment would discuss "special autonomy and related topics" in
\nAceh, where 12,000 people have been killed in three decades of
\nfighting.<\/p>\n
The autonomy deal on offer reportedly includes concessions
\ntoward self-rule and Islamic law in the devout Muslim province,
\nand a larger slice of the revenue earned by the province's
\nnatural resources.<\/p>\n
A displaced person from Banda Aceh, Minandar, 56, is hopeful
\nthat this new round of talks in Finland will result in peace.<\/p>\n
He said he was tired of hearing on an almost daily basis
\ngunfights between the military or the police and rebels.<\/p>\n
"This is a normal occurrence for us in Banda Aceh. At first
\nwe were terrified, but not anymore," said Minandar, who is still
\nsuffering breathing problems as a result of being caught up in
\nthe tsunami.<\/p>\n
However, he said he would return to Aceh as soon as his health
\nallowed him, insisting he was not frightened by the violence.<\/p>\n
"Aceh is my home. No matter what the situation, I must go home
\nto Aceh. I would be sad if Aceh was forever battered by conflict.
\nI hope it will end soon," said Minandar.<\/p>\n
Another displaced person from Banda Aceh, Firus, also
\nexpressed hope the conflict in Aceh would end soon. He said GAM
\nshould consider the government's offer of special autonomy, and
\nthat the government should in turn commit itself to honoring its
\npledges to Aceh.<\/p>\n
"Aceh must rise (from the destruction and conflict). We need
\npeace. Without peace it will be impossible for Aceh to recover
\nand stand on its feet again," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/acehnese-refugees-place-hope-in-peace-talks-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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