Government to negotiate with GAM: Wiranto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
\nSecurity Gen. Wiranto commended on Monday the peaceful
\ncommemoration of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) anniversary,
\ndisclosing the government's readiness to negotiate with the
\nseparatist movement's leaders.<\/p>\n
Speaking after attending a Cabinet meeting on political
\naffairs and security at Bina Graha presidential office, Wiranto
\nsaid GAM's positive stance prevented major outbreaks of violence
\nduring the commemoration in the province on Saturday.<\/p>\n
"All parties, security forces, the community and GAM, did not
\ntake provocative measures that could have triggered massive
\nconflicts," Wiranto said.<\/p>\n
At least seven people were injured in the capitals of Pidie
\nand North Aceh regencies when security troops opened fire to
\ndisperse GAM supporters from motorcade processions.<\/p>\n
Security forces ordered GAM supporters to turn back in
\nBureunuen, Pidie, and surrender the separatist flags to the
\nmilitary. Police said they were forced to return fire in self-
\ndefense after one of the independence supporters opened fire.<\/p>\n
"The people lowered the red-and-white (national) flag at the
\npolice station... One of them even opened fire on the troops,"
\nNational Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi said before the Cabinet
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
Wiranto said the Indonesian Military (TNI) arrested some
\nsuspected provocateurs, mostly thugs and TNI deserters from
\nMedan, North Sumatra, for inciting violence during the
\ncommemoration.<\/p>\n
"A number of hoodlums from Medan have been captured. Some of
\nthem are former rogue elements in the military. We will disclose
\n(their identity)."<\/p>\n
Wiranto indicated the GAM's receptive approach to marking the
\nanniversary convinced the government to open negotiations with
\nthe separatist group, along with other Acehnese community
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
"Dialog can be held in any place ... and should involve
\nstudents, Muslim clerics, community leaders and GAM."<\/p>\n
Wiranto said the government would not delay its decision to
\ngrant special autonomy status and larger revenue-sharing to the
\nprovince. He said the action was vital in restoring the Acehnese
\npeople's trust in the government.<\/p>\n
Wiranto's commendation of GAM's action contradicted the
\nopinion of Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono, who alleged GAM
\nwas responsible for violence during its 23rd anniversary
\ncelebration.<\/p>\n
Juwono said GAM was uncooperative with the government, which
\nhad demanded an amicable commemoration throughout the province.<\/p>\n
He insisted that certain groups manipulated the mass media to
\nsway public opinion against the government for their own
\ninterests.<\/p>\n
"It has long been our fear that GAM always provokes something
\nfrom behind the people. This is still under investigation until
\nnow," Juwono said before attending the Cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Human Rights Hasballah M. Saad said the
\nviolence should be ended in Aceh because the people suffered too
\nlong from the prolonged unrest.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, political observer from Gadjah Mada University
\nSyamsu Rizal asserted on Monday that the government must soon
\nrebuild public facilities and damaged infrastructure in the
\ndevastated province.<\/p>\n
"A speedy recovery is needed and with calm gradually resuming
\nin the restive area, the government must push ahead in an effort
\nof reconciliation and returning people's lives to normal."<\/p>\n
The government must also provide suitable compensation in the
\nform of scholarships, allowances and health insurance for the
\nvictims of violence, such as widows and orphans, he said.<\/p>\n
"If children in Aceh can have normal lives, go to school and
\nreceive a proper education while their parents also can get on
\nwith their daily activities, I believe it will speed up the
\nsettlement of Aceh's problems," he added.<\/p>\n
Syamsu said court-martials were not necessary for top military
\nleaders who were allegedly responsible for atrocities in the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
"It will take too long. The public exposure is more effective
\nas it has already taught them a hard lesson." He said the
\nofficers should admit their mistakes and give the public
\nassurances the same mistakes would not be repeated.
\n(39\/44\/51\/edt\/prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-to-negotiate-with-gam-wiranto-1447893297",
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