Key problems in Aceh and their potential solutions<\/p>\n
A'an Suryana and Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
What are the problems that need to be addressed by both the
\nIndonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to ensure
\nthe success of the peace agreement that they will sign on Monday
\nin Helsinki, Finland?<\/p>\n
Domestically, including in Aceh, the peace plan has received
\nmixed reactions, probably as a result of the fate of a previous
\nagreement at the end of 2002, which was mediated by the Henry
\nDunant Centre and collapsed only a few months after it was
\nsigned.<\/p>\n
Despite the lingering doubts, however, there is more to be
\noptimistic about this time around. There are strong reasons for
\nbelieving that the Helsinki peace deal will eventually work.
\nUnlike earlier agreements, the Helsinki peace deal has received
\nstrong backing from various quarters, including from the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI), and top political parties.<\/p>\n
The Acehnese people themselves are also tired of three decades
\nwar that has claimed thousands of lives.<\/p>\n
The TNI and National Police (Polri) top brass themselves have
\nalso voiced support although it remains to be seen whether this
\nsupport really materializes on the ground. Both institutions will
\nhave to work hard to control their personnel and
\nindisciplined elements from doing stupid things that could foil
\nthe peace deal.<\/p>\n
But TNI has adopted a different stance this time around.
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla
\nhave a strong mandate from the people as they were directly
\nelected by the people. The absence of former Army chief Gen.
\nRyamizard Ryacudu from the TNI's top leadership is also helpful
\nfor the process as he is regarded as a hawk on the Aceh issue.
\nMeanwhile, outgoing TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto will not
\nmake problems with the government as he must also think about his
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
The tsunami disaster, which in December last year killed some
\n129,000 people in Aceh alone, has provided the catalyst for the
\npeace deal. Stunned by the massive scale of the devastation
\nresulting from the disaster, both GAM and the Indonesian
\ngovernment have treated it as a turning point. The two sides have
\nalso come under strong international pressure to create a
\nconducive climate for the reconstruction and rebuilding of Aceh,
\nmuch of which will be financed from abroad.<\/p>\n
The above factors provide a good momentum for lasting peace in
\nAceh. It is now up to the Indonesian government and GAM to show
\nthat they are really committed to peace.<\/p>\n
With the foundations for a lasting peace having been laid,
\nboth GAM and the Indonesian government still have a lot of work
\nto do. The Indonesian government and GAM leaders must now address
\nthe technicalities surrounding the demand by GAM that it be
\nallowed to establish a local political party. Because Indonesian
\nelectoral law does not permit local political parties, the
\nexisting legislation will have to be amended.<\/p>\n
The will be unlikely to present a problem as all factions in the House
\nof Representatives (DPR), including the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, have thrown their weight
\nbehind the peace deal.<\/p>\n
Besides laying the groundwork for the establishment of a local
\n(GAM) political party, the Indonesian government also needs to
\nprepare a plan for the granting of amnesties to convicted GAM
\nmembers. There is already a plan to provide GAM members with
\nhouses and between two and three hectares of land each, but how
\nthis will be implemented remains to be seen. The scheme will cost
\nthe central government dearly.<\/p>\n
It is not inconceivable that the number of GAM members will
\nsharply increase because of the incentives.<\/p>\n
Like it or not, the government must also take measures,
\nincluding providing financial incentives, to \"compensate\" the TNI
\nfor losing \"a lucrative battleground\". There are
\nallegations that war-related \"business\" activities have been
\nrampant during the military operation in the province.<\/p>\n
Effective government policies will be needed to prevent
\nirresponsible parties from sabotaging the peace deal. Some
\nquarters have taken advantage of the prolonged conflict in Aceh,
\nincluding making money from the lucrative arms and drug trades,
\nand they will do whatever they can do perpetuate the conflict in
\nthe province for their own gain.<\/p>\n
The huge amount of money earmarked for Aceh's reconstruction
\nhas also created problems as many parties want to get their hands
\non least a part of the \"tsunami cake\". The international
\ncommunity will not tolerate any misuse of the donations destined
\nfor the tsunami victims.<\/p>\n
It is also essential that problems concerning GAM be
\naddressed. Many of them collected \"tax\" from the people and ran
\nillicit businesses during the war, and they are likely to lose
\nthese lucrative sources of income soon. Like the TNI and police,
\nGAM will also face financial problems.<\/p>\n
The provision of houses and plot of lands for GAM members is
\nlikely to spark social envy as many Acehnese are still suffering
\nhardship in the aftermath of tsunami disaster. This issue also
\nneeds to be seriously addressed by the government.<\/p>\n
In order to handle the looming social problems in Aceh, a
\nmassive public information campaign will be need in order to
\nconvince the Acehnese to accept the amnesty program. The
\ngovernment must make people aware that compensation for GAM
\nmembers is the price that must be paid in order to ensure lasting
\npeace in Aceh.<\/p>\n
The influence of ultranationalist politicians must also not be
\nunderestimated. They can easily provoke nationalist sentiments
\namong the non-Acehnese. Many people in Java support a military
\nsolution to the problems in Aceh. From time to time, this factor
\nwill have the potential to disrupt the peace process.<\/p>\n
Keeping the peace deal on the rails is now the toughest
\nchallenge facing the government and GAM leaders.<\/p>",
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