Aceh's agony<\/p>\n
The process of bringing an enduring peace to Indonesias
\nprovince of Aceh has suffered a setback with the cancellation of
\ntalks between Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).<\/p>\n
If the two sides do not resume negotiations and soon there
\ncould be renewed fighting between GAM rebels and the Indonesian
\nmilitary.<\/p>\n
This would be tragic since the talks in Geneva had raised
\nhopes that the conflict in Aceh, which began in 1975 when GAM
\nlaunched its secessionist campaign, would finally end to bring
\npeace to Aceh and its people. Many Acehnese, and Indonesian
\nsoldiers too, have died in the fighting and obviously many more
\nwill lose their lives if the insurrection is resumed.<\/p>\n
Given the grave consequences, the reason for the cancellation
\nis surprising. The talks were called off because GAM wanted the
\nstart postponed from Friday to Sunday, but Jakarta withdrew in
\nprotest. Once this blows over, both sides must settle down and
\nget the talks moving again.<\/p>\n
Jakarta and GAM began the peace process by signing a deal to
\ncease hostilities in December last year. The road to a lasting
\npeace was not expected to be easy, given the deep suspicions and
\nhostility on both sides. But the fact that they had agreed to
\nstop fighting and meet to find a peaceful solution gave much room
\nfor optimism.<\/p>\n
There is hope for peace as long as the two sides are talking
\nbecause the agreement on stopping hostilities holds. That is why
\nit is vital that the two sides go back to the negotiating table
\nbefore the ceasefire breaks down.<\/p>\n
-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/acehs-agony-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }