Diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Sweden are getting
\nchilly following the Swedish government's refusal to take
\nmeasures against Hasan Tiro, the leader of the Free Aceh Movement
\n(GAM) who is now a citizen of Sweden.<\/p>\n
Many parties have suggested that some retaliatory action must
\nbe taken against Sweden. The options are degrading the diplomatic
\nrelations or cutting off ties.<\/p>\n
Whatever decision is made, the government's policy must
\nsupport the integrated operations now taking place in Aceh.<\/p>\n
It would be improper for the government only to focus on Hasan
\nTiro. There is no doubt that Hasan Tiro carries much influence
\nwith GAM leaders and followers in Indonesia, but taking action
\nagainst Sweden because of him would be counterproductive for
\nIndonesia. And bringing the matter to the International Court
\nwould be time and energy consuming.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the right to discuss
\ndiplomatic actions against Sweden, or propose that Hasan Tiro and
\nother GAM leaders be put on the UN list of terrorists. But the
\ngovernment should concentrate more on the integrated operations
\nin Aceh.<\/p>\n
These integrated operation must be used by the government to
\nwin the hearts of the Acehnese by focusing on humanitarian work.<\/p>\n
-- Investor Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Lest we forget Aceh
\nby dealing with Sweden<\/p>\n
The mounting tension between the governments of Indonesia and
\nSweden over the Aceh case, seems to have reached its pinnacle.<\/p>\n
Stockholm's response to Indonesia's demand for action against
\nexiled Acehnese rebel leaders in Sweden was far from what we had
\nexpected.<\/p>\n
We are bitterly disappointed with Sweden's statement that the
\ncountry has no legal ground to take action against its citizen,
\nHasan Tiro, who founded the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in 1976.<\/p>\n
On one side of the coin, the Swedish government acknowledges
\nIndonesia's territorial integrity but on the other side, it
\nrefuses to take action against its citizens who have become
\nentangled in terrorist activities in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In the context of the \"war against terrorism\", the Swedish
\nattitude over Indonesia's demand is immensely risky because
\nStockholm has at least become a fair haven for the terrorists.<\/p>\n
For us, the problem of Sweden and Hasan Tiro should not drain
\nour energy, for it is a small part of a bigger problem. The
\nbigger problem we are facing now is how to overcome the Aceh
\nconflict.<\/p>\n
The more important job that we have to carry out successfully
\nis the integrated operation, because it is the only way to make
\nthe Acehnese realize that they are part of the Indonesian nation.<\/p>\n
-- Kompas, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/diplomatic-ties-between-indonesia-and-sweden-are-getting-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }