An integrative negotiation between govt and GAM<\/p>\n
Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly',
\nCenter for Strategic and International Studies, bandoro@csis.or.id<\/p>\n
The conflict in the restive province of Aceh has reportedly
\nkilled more than 10,000 people in the past 26 years, with fresh
\nkillings occurring almost daily. Ceasefires have been agreed on
\nbut never kept. A series of talks between Jakarta and the Free
\nAceh Movement (GAM) has also been initiated, but has so far
\nfailed to reduce violence.<\/p>\n
The development in Aceh is moving towards unprecedented danger
\nas the central government considers declaring a civil emergency
\nor even martial law to end the war.<\/p>\n
In an apparent hardening of the government's position
\nCoordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared the separatist GAM movement as
\nterrorists, signaling a fundamental shift from the government's
\ndiplomatic approach.<\/p>\n
The idea that civil emergency or martial law be imposed in
\nAceh has created strong opposition from all quarters in Aceh.<\/p>\n
For Acehnese, imposing such an idea would only drag them away
\nfrom a final political solution. Besides, it would also refresh
\nin their memories the launching of the 10-year military operation
\nbeginning in 1989.<\/p>\n
The imposition of a state of emergency may cause GAM to
\nincrease its attacks, triggering anarchy. A state of emergency
\nwould be disastrous and would mean further military operations,
\nmore casualties and even greater resentment.<\/p>\n
Aware of the adverse impact of Jakarta on the Acehnese, many
\nhave urged the two sides to the only option: Return to the
\nnegotiating table. Intermittent dialog between the government and
\nGAM have not led to lasting agreements.<\/p>\n
A meeting between the two sides was held in Geneva on Feb. 2
\nduring which it was agreed that political solutions were to be
\ndiscussed. In their last meeting in May both sides agreed to work
\nwith all speed toward an agreement to cease hostilities with an
\nadequate mechanism for accountability of the parties to such an
\nagreement.<\/p>\n
Both also agreed that the autonomy package would be a starting
\npoint for negotiations on political settlement. But the situation
\nin Aceh has hindered the enforcement of the agreement.<\/p>\n
The armed conflict in Aceh has clearly revealed that the
\nconflict is between Jakarta and GAM. The conflict between the two
\nsides is an expensive business because both have to consume
\nenormous amounts of time, energy and even money. From the
\nperspective of distributive justice, the Acehnese have become
\ndistressed, frustrated and angry, because they perceive they are
\nnot receiving a fair slice of something they value.<\/p>\n
Although GAM does not represent Acehnese in general, its
\nmilitary maneuvers have triggered the launching of a massive
\nmilitary operation. This has worsened the situation, creating an
\nimage that for the government, despite the agreement reached,
\nmilitary action is still the predominant tool.<\/p>\n
What is perhaps needed is for the government and GAM to seek
\nan integrative negotiation that would eventually lead both sides
\ntowards recognizing each others interests. Integrative
\nnegotiation is a constructive, problem solving process, the goals
\nof which maximize the interests of the government and GAM while
\nprotecting their relationship.<\/p>\n
Integrative negotiation does recognize differences in interest
\nand position. But the government and GAM must not focus on their
\npositions only. It may be difficult to persuade GAM to change
\npositions in demanding a totally independent state as they have
\nbeen fighting for this for more than two decades. But perhaps
\nthrough intensive contact and dialog involving all components in
\nAceh, including GAM, GAM's demand can be pressed to a point
\nwhere they would agree to accept the maximum offered by the
\ngovernment. Besides, the goal both sides have decided to pursue
\nshould be to direct the talks toward underlying concerns, needs,
\nfears and interests.<\/p>\n
What is needed in such a framework is to rebuild trust that
\nhas been the basis of previous talks between the two sides. If
\nthe current situation forced the government and GAM to have
\nanother round of talks, then both have to recognize the need not
\nto achieve goals at the expense of the other, meaning that both
\nparties see that it is in their best interests to secure whatever
\nagreement reached and to help others achieve their goals. Both
\nmust recognize the fact that the prime problem in Aceh is not the
\nwar and how to achieve things in the future through armed
\ncontacts, but the absence of distributive justice.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's chief negotiator for Aceh, Wiryono, urged the
\ngovernment not to give up hope on the negotiations, meaning that
\nthe government, despite the growing tension in Aceh, could not
\ndistance itself from the current situation in the province.
\nThus, the key word the government of Indonesia and GAM should now
\nadhere to, thus creating an image that both are serious about
\nsolving the problem politically, is negotiation.<\/p>\n
This is a peaceful procedure which reconciles and or
\ncompromises differences that have distanced both sides from each
\nother. But the perpetuation of peaceful procedure will mostly
\ndepend on the good faith and flexibility both sides can
\ndemonstrate. The rejection by the majority of Acehnese of civil
\nemergency or martial law, and strong opposition from certain
\nhuman rights groups, could be instrumental in drawing GAM and the
\ncentral government to the negotiating table.<\/p>\n
If negotiation indeed comes into being, many will see this as
\na continuation of a process that would shape future agreements
\nbetween the government and GAM, an agreement that hopefully
\nenables both sides to end a decades-old feud, and that enables
\npeople in Aceh, including GAM and the Indonesian Military (TNI),
\nto live and work together harmoniously.<\/p>\n
In short, an integrative negotiation must not detach itself
\nfrom the stands both have agreed to during previous talks. Most
\nimportantly is the cessation of hostilities.<\/p>",
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