Dealing with peace in Aceh one step at a time<\/p>\n
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) spokesman Bahtiar Abdullah lived in
\nexile in Sweden for 23 years before finally returned to Aceh last
\nmonth following the peace agreement signed between Indonesia and
\nGAM. In an interview with The Jakarta Post's Nani Afrida in Banda
\nAceh, Bahtiar shared his views about the future of the province.
\nThe following is an excerpt of the interview.<\/p>\n
Question: What is your plan after your return to Aceh?<\/p>\n
Answer: After my return to Aceh, the most important thing is
\nworking to help implement this Memorandum of Understanding and to
\nshow our commitment to the implementation. The GAM leadership
\ndecided to send me here to help our friends implement the MOU in
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
What is the difference between the present MOU and the
\nprevious agreements made between the Republic of Indonesia and
\nGAM?<\/p>\n
One obvious thing is the principle or the basis. In the
\npresent process, the basis is that nothing is agreed upon until
\neverything is agreed upon. So, once we reach an agreement on all
\nthe issues under negotiation, the process will be running by
\nitself. Beyond our expectations, the implementation of this MOU
\non the ground has run well, including those processes that do not
\ninvolve international parties.<\/p>\n
The process of amnesty, for example, is running well. The
\ndecommissioning process has been going on for two stages and it
\nwill soon start with the third stage. Hopefully, this third stage
\nwill also work well.<\/p>\n
How is important is the process of disseminating the contents
\nof this MOU to ensure that, unlike in the case of previous
\nagreements, there will be no difference in perceptions between
\nGAM and the Republic of Indonesia?<\/p>\n
I believe this mechanism is extremely important. The mechanism
\nwe need is a process of assuming responsibility, for example our
\nresponsibility toward GAM members. We must popularize this MOU
\nwith them and more generally among the Acehnese. It will be
\neasier if this job is left to the Acehnese. If we use the
\nAcehnese language, the broader public will find it easier to
\nunderstand this MOU. I believe the public will support this
\nparticular means of communication. Should problems arise, a
\nsolution can be immediately sought.<\/p>\n
What about GAM's involvement in the process of drafting the
\nlaw governing the administration of Aceh?<\/p>\n
Discussions have been held to this effect but are still not
\nfinal yet. I myself have not seen the draft. I have held
\ndiscussions with all my colleagues involved in the drafting of
\nthis law. They have told me that the process will soon be
\ncompleted.<\/p>\n
Does this bill on Aceh administration accommodate all of GAM's
\ninterests?<\/p>\n
I believe all parties will have their interests accommodated
\nin the bill just like what has happened with the MOU.<\/p>\n
Which do you think will be the most complicated items in the
\nMOU to implement on the ground?.<\/p>\n
There are a lot of challenges but we should not take a
\nnegative or pessimistic attitude.<\/p>\n
Can you be more specific ?<\/p>\n
I believe that all items are difficult but we will implement
\nthem one by one. When we have completed one stage, we will move
\non to the next. After the destruction of the weapons, for
\nexample, we will start with the political and other stages. A
\ncommitment has been made in the regulations drafted that
\neverything that will happen in Aceh in future will be in tune
\nwith the contents of the MOU. This is the reason why a new bill
\nmust be drafted for Aceh.<\/p>\n
How about the victims of human rights abuses?<\/p>\n
We will discuss this matter with all parties in the framework
\nof the MOU. We should not jump to certain matters before it is
\ntime to deal with them. We must go through all the stages one by
\none. So, hopefully, this MOU can run well. Mutual confidence, for
\nexample, can be improved and mutual commitment can be established
\nso that everything will take place in accordance with the right
\nstage and time-line. As for these issues, when it is time to deal
\nwith them, we will deal with them more seriously and try to find
\nthe solution.<\/p>\n
As for GAM, itself, does it trust the government now?<\/p>\n
Ad for the problem of trust, it all depends on us. But the
\nmost important thing that the commitment is there. The government
\nhas opened up an opportunity and we have also witnessed peace on
\nthe ground. The people are not longer traumatized with the
\nconflict and the tsunami disaster. This is the right moment for
\nthe rebuilding of self-confidence. It is this self-confidence
\nrebuilding that is important right now.<\/p>\n
What about the status of some 3,000 GAM combatants that have
\nnow returned to society?<\/p>\n
We know from the previous AMM meetings that these combatants
\nhave received what they are entitled to, namely the reintegration
\nfund. Reports have it that two stages of the distribution of this
\nfund have been completed and that the third stage will soon
\nstart. Of course, if there are still some problems, but they will
\nbe discussed and dealt with.<\/p>",
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