Govt criticized for no clear program on Aceh impasse<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Two respected Acehnese figures have
\ncriticized the government of Indonesia for lacking concrete
\nprograms to peacefully end the problems in the troubled province
\nof Aceh.<\/p>\n
Imam Syuja', chairman of the Aceh branch of the second largest
\nMuslim organization Muhammadiyah and Maimul Fidar, the executive
\ndirector of the coalition of human rights nongovernmental
\norganizations on Aceh, shared a similar opinion on Friday that
\n\"no wonder all efforts made by Indonesia had been fruitless due
\nto the absence of clear programs.\"<\/p>\n
Both Imam and Maimul made the statements on Saturday when
\nasked to comment on President Megawati's address at the gala
\ndinner held by the United States-Indonesia Society in Washington
\nD.C. during her visit to the U.S. last Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"I would like to reiterate that, at present, I am trying to
\nhandle it (issue of Aceh) in a peaceful manner, through a
\nresponsible political process without sacrificing the national
\nintegrity of Indonesia,\" Megawati said in the forum.<\/p>\n
Megawati also said that the issue of Aceh had attracted a lot
\nof international attention.<\/p>\n
During the meeting with Megawati, U.S. President George W.
\nBush promised that his government would provide Indonesia with a
\nlot of aid, including US$5 million for the rebuilding of
\ndestroyed schools and infrastructure in Aceh.<\/p>\n
Imam said in Banda Aceh that Megawati's determination to
\nhandle the problems in Aceh through the political process
\ndeserved support.<\/p>\n
\"But she should not have set any conditions for diplomatic
\nefforts to be made to end the problems.\"<\/p>\n
\"Just sit down together (with GAM) and start peaceful talks.
\nPlease don't set conditions, or else GAM will also ask for
\nindependence,\" he said, referring to part of Megawati's address
\n\"...without sacrificing the national integrity of Indonesia.\"<\/p>\n
\"Any negotiations will end in deadlock if both parties set
\nextreme conditions. They should just begin peace talks with an
\nindependent mediator,\" he said, citing Indonesia's role in the
\ntalks between the government of the Philippines and the Moro
\nNational Liberation Front (MNLF).<\/p>\n
A series of talks between GAM and the government have been
\narranged both at home and abroad. Yet all the efforts have not
\nsucceeded in stopping violence in Aceh.<\/p>\n
In a separate interview, Maimul said that Megawati's
\npersistence at insisting on Indonesian integrity when resolving
\nAceh's problems was understandable and correct.<\/p>\n
\"It's clear that Aceh is still part of the unitary state of
\nIndonesia,\" he said. \"The problem is what program has been set
\nout to bring the conflict to an end.\"<\/p>\n
\"Whenever the government suggests peaceful dialog, the
\nmilitary becomes offensive. The government has never organized an
\nintegrated program to deal with Aceh.\"<\/p>\n
Both Imam and Maimul also suggested that both the feuding
\nparties should step backward, establish a complete cease-fire
\nbefore holding more serious and democratic talks involving
\nindependent parties, authorized to take action against those
\nviolating the truce.<\/p>\n
\"What Acehnese people want now is peace, not more bloodshed.
\nThey have lost trust in both GAM and the government and have been
\nwaiting for 'something' that could end the prolonged feuds,\"
\nMaimul said.<\/p>\n
Thousands have been killed and scores of buildings and
\ninfrastructure have been destroyed in the ongoing battle between
\nthe Indonesian Military (TNI) and GAM members in recent years.<\/p>\n
Natural resource rich Aceh has been seeking independence for
\neconomic reasons as central government is considered unjust for
\ntaking a large proportion of the province's revenues.<\/p>\n
Starting July 19, the House of Representative has enacted a
\nlaw providing special autonomy for the province, with the new
\nname Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, which will receive 70 percent of
\nthe province's oil and gas revenue. The old law regulated that
\nthe province got 55 percent from oil and 40 percent from natural
\ngas produced in the province. (50\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-criticized-for-no-clear-program-on-aceh-impasse-1447893297",
"image": ""
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