Act firmly on Aceh rebels!<\/p>\n
If we read the news in our dailies, especially about the
\nviolence in Aceh, we cannot help feeling that the situation there
\nis going from bad to worse. The police are attacked almost every
\nday and casualties among civilians and members of the police are
\nmounting. Besides attacking the police, the rebels burn houses,
\nattack offices and government installations.<\/p>\n
I can understand the difficult psychological position of law
\nenforcement troops. If they act harshly they can be accused of
\nviolating human rights; but rebels committing atrocities receive
\nno blame and sometimes they are even considered heroes.<\/p>\n
When I was a close confidant of the late Dr. Mohammad Hatta,
\nour first vice president, the latter told me that in facing
\nrebels, we must be prepared for almost everything to happen. You
\nhave to keep your left hand ready to hit and your right hand to
\nshake hands in peace.<\/p>\n
I note that President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) has given a
\ntough statement in this case, that can only be interpreted in one
\nway. When visiting the USA he said, \"The integrity of the whole
\nof the unitary Republic of Indonesia must be preserved and
\ndefended. We will negotiate with those who are willing to
\nnegotiate, but those who are not willing to talk or if their
\ndemands are unreasonable, we will face them sternly and harshly.\"<\/p>\n
In an interview on state television on March 14, Gus Dur said,
\n\"I told the minister of home affairs and the coordinating
\nminister of political affairs and security that if there are
\npeople who talk about wanting to be independent, let them talk.
\nBut if they prepare time schedules and organize power and arm
\nthemselves, they must be arrested. The government is very serious
\nabout this.\"<\/p>\n
In his latest interview with Jaya Suprana, the President
\nmentioned the situation in Papua, where some people have already
\nmade a time schedule starting from the year 2000, then 2001 and
\nultimately they will be free in 2003. This is a blatant
\nsubversive movement.<\/p>\n
We don't need more tough statements. The President has given
\nhis opinion and law enforcers should act on those statements and
\ntake actions, without waiting for specific orders. The President
\nas a seasoned politician, will stay on the safe side and refrain
\nfrom giving those specific orders. If people protest later, then
\nthe President can safely say that he never gave orders to attack
\nthe rebels.<\/p>\n
The rebels, especially in Aceh, have become more and more
\nbrutal because they feel that the police do not know what to do.
\nConsequently, they become victims.<\/p>\n
The Police, helped by the military if necessary, should act
\nfirmly based on the President's statements and wipe out all
\nrebels who call themselves Free Aceh Movement (GAM) armed forces.
\nIf this is done, the government will have a strong bargaining
\nposition when it decides to talk with those rebels.<\/p>\n
With the current weak position of the government, talk will
\nonly benefit the rebels.<\/p>\n
I think the majority of the people in Aceh are still staunch
\nsupporters of the Republic of Indonesia proclaimed in 1945. The
\nPresident said that the majority of the Aceh people prefer to
\nstay in the Republic.<\/p>\n
We must admit that many mistakes have been made by the
\ngovernment and the people in Aceh have suffered a lot, but
\nindecisive effort at present will only prolong their sufferings.
\nWe are one nation and our country stretches from Sabang to
\nMerauke. We have vowed to keep it that way. The Indonesian
\nMilitary will defend the Republic and they are prepared to die
\nfor it. So let us not waste any more time. Act now and talk
\nlater!<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/act-firmly-on-aceh-rebels-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }