GAM and violence<\/p>\n
In Kompas on Jan. 12, 2001 I read on page 12 that according to
\nthe President's spokesman Yahya Staquf the government has
\nachieved positive success in managing to persuade GAM to stop
\nusing violent methods to pursue their own goals. The spokesman
\nalso declares that the international world is on the government's
\nside. What a laugh!<\/p>\n
On the same day The Jakarta Post on its front page reported
\nthat troops in Aceh have been told to retaliate against GAM,
\nbecause they have ambushed troops of the army strategic reserves
\ncommand (Kostrad) who were on a civic mission to conduct
\nhumanitarian operations helping the Aceh people in the flooded
\narea. This happened in Peureulak, East Aceh. Two soldiers were
\nkilled and several others wounded. The Kostrad commander clearly
\nordered that his troops should retaliate and destroy them and to
\nshow them no mercy.<\/p>\n
How can the government claim success in convincing GAM not to
\nuse violent methods? The government statements are clearly a
\nresult of not knowing exactly what is happening in Aceh and also
\nan attempt to discredit the military. I feel the hatred and
\nbiased attitude of the community is clearly expressed by the
\narticle in the Post if we read what Juwono Sudarsono said. He
\nsaid clearly: \"We should control our security forces so that
\nthere won't be any troops who will violate the truce\". He does
\nnot mention a single word about the possibility of GAM violating
\nthe truce.<\/p>\n
In the mind of Sudarsono, GAM can do no wrong. This statement
\nreminds me of Agus Wandi of the Commission for Missing Persons
\nand Victims of Violence (Kontras) in Aceh who stated that the
\nbiggest producers of violence in Aceh are the police and
\nmilitary. The use of the word \"producers\" is a clear indication
\nof the sentiments of the Aceh people against the government's
\nforces. And it is very saddening that the government makes no
\ncomment to rectify these kinds of statements.<\/p>\n
Why does Juwono Sudarsono not mention the violation of GAM
\nwhich resulted in the death and casualties of Kostrad troops,
\nwhile at the same time the government claims their success in
\nconvincing the GAM not to use violence?<\/p>\n
If the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is
\nsilent in this affair it can be understood, because their
\nstandpoint is clear, that violations can only be conducted by
\ngovernment forces and what the GAM is doing is right. Never has
\nKomnas HAM offered comments or has it ever had the courage to
\ncriticize the GAM. But if government forces make one wrong step,
\nhowever small, then it is considered a violation of human rights.<\/p>\n
Some time ago I wrote that soldiers are human beings with
\nemotions and feelings. A proverb says that even an ant if stepped
\non will retaliate. So far, the soldiers are still silent and have
\ngiven no comments. This is the very first time the Kostrad have
\nreacted \"violently\" by giving orders to shoot back, a courageous
\nappeal which should be supported by all law abiding
\norganizations. Let this be a lesson to all.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gam-and-violence-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }