Acehnese waiting for justice: Mustafa<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): A noted Acehnese figure has urged the
\ngovernment to prosecute military perpetrators of murder and abuse
\nduring the terrifying years of violence and repression in Aceh as
\none of the prerequisites for resolving the Aceh problem.<\/p>\n
Mustafa Abdullah, deputy chairman of the United Development
\nParty's (PPP) branch office which achieved a landslide victory in
\nthe strife-torn province during the 1999 general election, said
\nthat taking the guilty parties to court constituted an act most
\ndesired by the Acehnese.<\/p>\n
The trials of Indonesian Military (TNI) generals for human
\nrights violations should be followed by the implementation of
\ndemocratic values, he said.<\/p>\n
\"I think these trials are the most crucial step Megawati must
\ntake for the sake of proving her seriousness in this matter,\"
\nMustafa told The Jakarta Post while discussing President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri's plan to visit the province.<\/p>\n
The President was originally planned to begin her trip to Aceh
\non Sunday, but the visit was postponed until later next week. The
\nPresident's itinerary and length of stay in the province is still
\nuncertain.<\/p>\n
The Aceh people have little faith in the government, Mustafa
\nsaid, adding that what they want now is for all the promises made
\nby the country's leaders to be honored.<\/p>\n
\"Many promises have been made by the government, but not a
\nsingle one of them has been fulfilled so far... therefore, it's
\nunderstandable that the majority of the Acehnese people no longer
\nhave any faith in Jakarta,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The dishonored promises have also made it difficult for
\nofficials of the local administration and members of the
\nprovincial legislative council to communicate with local people,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Honoring promises has to be followed by an improvement in the
\npeople's welfare, including the prioritizing of good education,
\nMustafa said.<\/p>\n
Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) head Muhammad Nazar
\nshared Mustafa's belief, saying that honoring the promises,
\ndemocratization and trials of human rights violators are the most
\nimportant measures Megawati has to implement if she intends to
\nvisit Aceh.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the prosecution of human rights violators, Nazar
\nsaid that, it is not only the key to resolving the Aceh problem,
\nbut \"constitutes an obligation from a country that claims to be
\nfounded on law and democracy\".<\/p>\n
\"Megawati also has to clarify the integration of Aceh into the
\nunitary state of Indonesia in a bid to correct history. Ask what
\nthe Aceh people want, whether they will join the Republic of
\nIndonesia or not. The way ... is through a referendum,\" Nazar
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He further said that Megawati's visit to Aceh would be
\nineffective due to the absence of both a clear agenda and who
\nwould represent the Acehnese people.<\/p>\n
A dialog, boasted to involve all elements of the community,
\nincluding the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), is also doubtful as there
\nhas been no clear explanation about who will represent them, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"I'm afraid that the government just intends to go to Aceh for
\nthe dialog with the ultimate goal of being forced to use the
\nmilitary approach because its offer is turned down,\" Nazar said.<\/p>\n
One of GAM's senior field commanders, Amri Abdul Wahab, said
\nthat Megawati's planned visit would be similar to those conducted
\nby her predecessors.<\/p>\n
\"It will only cheat the local people again. It will even be
\nused as an excuse to increase troop deployment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The dialog could be successful if it is held in a formal
\nforum between the government and GAM under the auspices of
\nforeign observers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
If Megawati insists on visiting Aceh \"we will not disturb her
\nas long as her visit does not disturb us,\" Amri said, adding that
\nif the military antagonized locals and pursued GAM members, they
\nwould defend themselves.<\/p>\n
Several days ahead of the visit, security has been tightened,
\nespecially around major roads and vital installations. Despite
\nthe security drive, however, violence has not subsided.<\/p>\n
At least 10 people, including two GAM members, were killed in
\nisolated clashes during Wednesday and Thursday.<\/p>\n
The two GAM members were reported to be killed in a clash with
\nmilitary troops at Singgah Mata village in Baktya district, North
\nAceh, TNI spokesman Lt. Col. Firdaus said.<\/p>\n
GAM spokesman Sofyan Daud admitted that the two victims were
\nGAM members, but he disclosed that more soldiers were also killed
\nin the clash, a claim denied by Firdaus. (50\/hhr)<\/p>",
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