Give peace another chance<\/p>\n
Goodwill seems to have been quickly laid to rest. Or maybe
\npeople's concern was not so sincere to begin with. As if there
\nwere not enough death and destruction, less than a fortnight
\nafter the tsunamis engulfed Aceh, soldiers and separatist rebels
\nwere already killing each other.<\/p>\n
Looking back, the initial statements of a cease-fire were a
\nmoot point, given that the devastation made it implausible to
\nengage in combat operations on either side.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, it is not too late to hope that the tsunami
\ntragedy can become a catalyst to promote a more passive chapter
\nin the province's troubled history.<\/p>\n
The nation's 220 million people were united in their grief
\nwhen they learned of the scale of the calamity that had befallen
\nIndonesia's westernmost province. Both members of the Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM) and the Indonesian Military -- whose corps must be
\nin mourning after the loss of hundreds of soldiers and their
\nfamilies stationed in Aceh -- experienced feelings of sorrow.<\/p>\n
For once, their grievances could not be directed at each
\nother. They had, in this case, a mutual enemy -- the disaster --
\nand a common goal -- to alleviate the suffering of survivors and
\nrebuild the province.<\/p>\n
At this juncture, it is unimportant who fired the first shot,
\nwho was right or which side should be blamed.<\/p>\n
Culpability lies in both sides' failure to make peace. Guilty
\nare those who did not at least seek to forge an atmosphere that
\ncould facilitate relief operations. At the end of the day, is it
\nnot the interests of the Acehnese -- which they both claim to be
\nstruggling for -- that should be prioritized?<\/p>\n
The claims of both GAM leaders and the Indonesian government,
\nthat they wish to work toward a more lasting peace in the wake of
\nthe catastrophe, should be welcomed. We can only hope that the
\nstated intent is more than lip service.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, individual statements from the government and
\nGAM have not, so far, been backed by deeds. There has been little
\nindication of new initiatives that would warrant the two sides
\nsitting down to draft any sort of detente.<\/p>\n
Diplomatic negotiation is always better than physical
\nconfrontation. But to go into talks with the intent of simply
\ngetting what one wants, cripples the dialog even before it has
\nbegun.<\/p>\n
Negotiation is not about \"winning\" or \"losing\". It is about
\ncompromising for a greater good -- in this case the people of
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
If representatives of the government and GAM meet with the
\nsingle-mindedness of their intractable positions, then the
\noutcome is doomed. Everyone needs to realize that the tsunami has
\nsignificantly altered the stakes.<\/p>\n
Without suggesting that the government eschew its position on
\nthe unitary state, Jakarta must provide more realistic
\nalternatives for GAM to consider, other than the vague parameters
\nof special autonomy.<\/p>\n
Similarly, GAM cannot make independence a zero-sum option. It
\nwould be a waste of time simply seeking separation from
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Finding that middle path requires sacrifice, patience and
\ncreativity. It is also important for other elements not to
\nundermine the process, or complicate what little goodwill is left
\nby stoking the fires of insecurity.<\/p>\n
There are fears that the talks could be used, by both parties,
\nas a public relations ruse to claim that their good intent to
\nreconcile was rejected by the opposite side. It is a strategy
\nthat has been used before, and culminates in the perpetuation of
\nunrest and the heightening of armed skirmishes.<\/p>\n
Such a tactic only satisfies the few who profit from the
\nconflict, and have stealthily done just enough to jeopardize
\nhopes for peace.<\/p>\n
Despite the billions of dollars being pledged for Aceh's
\nreconstruction, and the thousands of volunteers entering the
\nprovince to help with relief operations, without a diplomatic
\nresolution the rebuilding of Aceh will only take place in a
\nsymbolic fashion.<\/p>\n
New buildings may be erected, new infrastructure, put in
\nplace; but the hearts of the Acehnese will only be torn further
\nwithout the repose that a peaceful settlement can bring.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/give-peace-another-chance-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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