Gus Dur keeps Aceh off year-end travel plans<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid announced on
\nWednesday plans to visit the troubled provinces of Maluku and
\nIrian Jaya, but failed to set a firm date for a trip to Aceh.<\/p>\n
Speaking in a consultative meeting with the House of
\nRepresentatives, the President said he would visit the strife-
\ntorn Maluku islands this weekend and fly to Irian Jaya to witness
\nthe first sunrise of the new millennium.<\/p>\n
\"Either on Dec. 11 or Dec. 12, I will go to Ambon (the capital
\nof Maluku) to inquire and see clearly how to solve the problems,\"
\nsaid the President, who is better known as Gus Dur.<\/p>\n
\"On Dec. 31 I am also going to Irian as wished by the
\nIrianese, and I will see the sunrise of the new millennium.\"<\/p>\n
Violence racked the three provinces long before Abdurrahman
\nassumed office in October.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people have been killed in Maluku since clashes
\nbetween Muslims and Christians erupted in Ambon early this year
\nand spread across the islands.<\/p>\n
Like Aceh, the natural resources-rich province of Irian Jaya
\nis home to growing calls for independence. The movement peaked in
\nthe hoisting of the Morning Star separatist flag on Dec. 1.
\nDozens of people were injured in a clash with police who
\nattempted to lower the flag and disperse the crowd.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung told the President during the
\nmeeting of the importance of an immediate trip to Aceh, where the
\nindependence movement has reached an alarming level.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the head of state can find an available time to visit
\nAceh,\" Akbar said.<\/p>\n
In response to Akbar's request, Abdurrahman said he found
\ndifficulties in identifying trusted parties in Aceh for
\nnegotiations.<\/p>\n
He said he would hold talks with local government officials,
\nsecurity personnel, non-governmental organizations, students and
\nulemas.<\/p>\n
\"If I could talk to students and ulema dayah (leaders of local
\nIslamic boarding schools), I think the Acehnese would accept any
\nagreement between the government and the two groups.\"<\/p>\n
He said he understood the need for an immediate solution to
\nthe unrest in Aceh, but added the problems were \"not as simple as
\npeople think\".<\/p>\n
\"The resolution will take time, energy and thought.\"<\/p>\n
Wahid reiterated that \"we would not tolerate any province to
\nsecede from the country\".<\/p>\n
He defended his many foreign trips since taking office, saying
\nthey were intended to garner international support against
\nIndonesian separatists.<\/p>\n
\"Our visits have reduced the possibility of foreign support
\nfor Aceh's independence,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The President spent most of his first month in office on
\noverseas trips to several Asian and Middle Eastern countries and
\nthe United States, drawing criticism at home.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said the government would revive a proposed
\nrailway project worth US$90 million in Aceh, saying it was not
\nrevealed earlier due to fears the Acehnese would summarily reject
\nthe plan.<\/p>\n
\"There is a psychological obstacle that the government is now
\nnot trusted by Aceh people. Therefore, the project will be given
\nto private companies.\"<\/p>\n
The railway project was promised by then president B.J.
\nHabibie when he visited the province in March. Many believe that
\nprevious administrations' failure to fulfill their promises have
\nexacerbated discontent among the Acehnese.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman also said that Sabang Island in northern Aceh will
\nbecome a free trade zone in a bid to improve development of the
\nisland and increase job opportunities.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, the President was accompanied by Vice
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri, Coordinating Minister for the
\nEconomy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie, Minister of Finance
\nBambang Sudibyo, State Minister of State Administrative Reforms
\nVice Adm. Freddy Numberi, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Admiral
\nWidodo AS, State Secretary Ali Rahman and Presidential Secretary
\nRatih Hardjono.<\/p>\n
Widodo reiterated that TNI would conduct a persuasive approach
\nand dialogs to handle the problems in Aceh and other volatile
\nprovinces.<\/p>\n
At the end of the meeting, Akbar and the leaders of the 10
\nfactions in the House commended the President's clarification.<\/p>\n
\"We accepted and supported the government's explanations. We
\nwill help the government to hold talks with related parties in
\nAceh,\" Akbar said.<\/p>\n
However, many legislators' questions remained unanswered after
\nthe four-hour meeting concluded. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-keeps-aceh-off-year-end-travel-plans-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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