Details to be ironed out for Aceh peace agreement<\/p>\n
Haris Azhar, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The peace deal between the Indonesian government and the Free
\nAceh Movement (GAM) deserves a positive response because its main
\nagenda is to restore the lost peace in Aceh, a region that has
\nundergone many phases of violence before it was hit by the killer
\ntsunami. It is only proper, then, that much hope is pinned on the
\nformulation and the substance of the Memorandum of Understanding
\n(MoU) draft, agreed in Helsinki on July 15.<\/p>\n
Although the content of the MoU will not be revealed to the
\npublic until Indonesia and GAM formally sign the agreement on
\nAug. 15, it is clear that it contains matters of principles and
\nnot a detailed plan. This means two prerequisites for a lasting
\npeace become necessary.<\/p>\n
The action on the ground -- the planned withdrawal of troops
\nand the disarmament of GAM -- must be worked out in the next
\nround of talks after the signing of the Aug. 15 agreement. These
\ndetails must be formulated by a special team, which will include
\nmonitoring groups from the European Union and ASEAN.<\/p>\n
And even before this, there must be action taken to ensure the
\nsecurity situation is safe enough for GAM and the government to
\nbegin drawing up and implementing the agreement.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the situation in Aceh is still far from
\npeaceful and political and military elements there and in Jakarta
\ncould easily stir up a deal-breaking conflict.<\/p>\n
Since the lifting of Aceh's civil emergency status on May 19
\nand during the peace negotiations, Acehnese civilians have been
\nthe victims of violent acts and involved in armed clashes with
\nthe Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police and GAM. \"GAM\" is
\nstill too often used as a label to stigmatize innocent Acehnese
\ncivilians.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, meanwhile, many legislators do not agree to the
\ngovernment negotiating with GAM.<\/p>\n
However, there is growing public support for the government
\nand GAM committing to bring about lasting peace in Aceh, which is
\nincreasing as the signing of the MoU draws nearer.<\/p>\n
Rebuilding the public trust lost when the two parties violated
\na previous accord is certainly important. During president
\nMegawati's administration, the CoHA or the Cessation of
\nHostilities agreement collapsed not long after it was signed in
\n2002. This time it is even more necessary to win the hearts and
\nminds of the Acehnese in a non-violent manner in order to bring
\nabout lasting peace.<\/p>\n
Prior to the signing of peace agreement, each party should
\ncease all violence and must guarantee to protect civilians while
\nreducing other non-violent military activities.<\/p>\n
The government also needs to convince those against the
\nplanned agreement that it is the best way to end the prolonged
\nsuffering of the Acehnese people. The government must seek an
\nagreement from legislators, those in the military and the
\nNational Police.<\/p>\n
The evolving situation during the four weeks before the
\nsigning of the MoU will be useful in predicting whether the
\nagreement will really bring about peace in Aceh.<\/p>\n
It will also be a good time to practice implementing the new
\npeace plan for the area. A learning period would make the
\nAcehnese more relaxed after the Aug. 15 deal. Members of the TNI,
\nNational Police and GAM must all make use of this time.<\/p>\n
When these groups and the Acehnese community are confident
\nabout the plan, these parties will better understand their roles
\nas agents of peace and justice for Aceh.<\/p>\n
It is the obligation of all parties that could create violence
\nin Aceh, to ensure that these four weeks prior to the signing of
\nthe MoU are peaceful. This obligation is effectively an extension
\nof the job began by the peace negotiators during the past six
\nmonths. Peace in Aceh is not a dream; it is a must.<\/p>\n
The writer is the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims
\nof Violence head of studies and documentation. He can be reached
\nat haris_azhar@yahoo.com.<\/p>",
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