Govt must be
\nfirm on GAM<\/p>\n
On Feb. 18, 2003 the following appeared in The Jakarta Post:
\n"Humam Hamid, an influential figure in Banda Aceh, said that the
\ntruce had almost broken down, because of the absence of mutual
\ntrust between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the security
\nauthorities. This is caused by misinterpretation of the peace
\naccord."<\/p>\n
The Henry Dunant Center (HDC), GAM and security authorities
\nshould sit down together again to reach the same understanding of
\nthe Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) and its
\nimplementation. After that the three sides should jointly
\ndisseminate information about the peace accord to show their
\ncommitment to establishing peace as well as avoiding confusion
\namong the Acehnese people.<\/p>\n
The main hindrance was that both sides disseminated
\ninformation to their own camps according to their own
\ninterpretation. Humam called on the three sides to stick to COHA,
\nstep by step and article by article.<\/p>\n
Although more than one month old, its significance is still
\nclear, important and binding. Another problem is that GAM still
\nfeels strong and arrogant, thinking that the politicians are
\nbacking it, when they indicate that military operations have not
\nbeen efficient, which has caused confusion within Armed Forces
\nranks. The Military do not know what to do, while the security
\nsituation rapidly deteriorates. GAM showed its arrogance by
\nrefusing to talk. Then it agreed, but insisted on having the
\ntalks abroad and the government, as expected, complied and
\nprepared Tokyo as the meeting place. GAM refused and insisted on
\nhaving talks in a neutral country. It tried again and again to
\npostpone everything, while continuing to influence the public.<\/p>\n
I am afraid that the government will again consent to the
\ndemands of GAM, instead of saying to GAM, "Do as we tell you or
\nwe shall stop talking and take stern action."<\/p>\n
In my humble opinion, if there are going to be talks again,
\nthey should be held in Indonesia, because this is a domestic
\nproblem and there is no need to involve strangers in our
\nhousehold problems. I am sure that my government will be able to
\nsolve this problem once and for all.<\/p>\n
Be firm for once, so that this problem may be solved as soon
\nas possible and free ordinary people from their sufferings.
\nThe government should know that GAM is playing for time, to
\nincrease its strength by recruiting more soldiers and smuggling
\nweapons.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-must-be-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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