No compromise with the Free Aceh Movement<\/p>\n
Tjipta Lesmana, Institute for, Strategic Studies (LPSI),
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The latest talks in Geneva between the government (GOI) and
\nthe Free Aceh Movement (GAM), according to Minister of Foreign
\nAffars Hassan Wirayuda, brought progress in the sense that GAM
\nhad agreed to discuss the special autonomy law for the province
\nas the basis for future consultations.<\/p>\n
The talks, sponsored by the Geneva-based Henri Dunant Center,
\nan international non-governmental organization, were the first
\nsince mid-2001, when both sides failed to resume their talks due
\nto the persistent violence in Aceh that has left many civilians,
\nmembers of the security forces and GAM guerrillas dead.<\/p>\n
A similar view was echoed by GAM negotiator Zaini
\nAbdullah when he said, \"I think the meeting was good; we are
\ncloser.\"<\/p>\n
Closer to what? Does it mean GAM has already given up their
\ngoal of breaking away from Indonesia and forming an independent
\nstate?<\/p>\n
In the past, GAM leaders have repeatedly stated their
\nsteadfast aim of winning independence at whatever the cost,
\nciting the government's 50 years of \"unlawful and cruel
\noccupation\".<\/p>\n
But under Soeharto's New Order, GAM military activities were
\nmercilessly oppressed. No separatist movement whatsoever was
\ntolerated in the country by Soeharto.<\/p>\n
This stance, which was frequently excessive in nature, caused
\nserious human rights violations, and left hundreds of Acehnese
\ndead. However, as a general told this writer, the Aceh problem
\nwas \"non existent\" because \"we crushed them (GAM members) without
\nhesitation\".<\/p>\n
The downfall of the New Order clearly benefited GAM. Hundreds
\nof GAM militant cadres (AGAM) previously living abroad were sent
\nback to Aceh. Then president B.J. Habibie failed to seriously
\nhandle the issue, because he was preoccupied with East Timor. The
\nmomentum was apparently used by GAM to strengthen its military
\nposture.<\/p>\n
The landslide victory for pro-independence factions in August
\n1999 in the Dili referendum persuaded the Free Aceh Movement to
\npursue a no-compromise stance against the government.<\/p>\n
When Abdurrahman Wahid replaced Habibie, GAM had become a
\n\"little monster\", having the guts to damn Jakarta! It was
\nAburrahman who initially gave a nod to the Acehnese to hold a
\nreferendum (on syariah, or Islamic law), and who indirectly
\nordered the military to adopt a non-involvement stance in Aceh,
\nwhile transferring the authority to maintain law and order in the
\nprovince to the police.<\/p>\n
But the police have failed to do so. It was also Abdurrahman,
\nwho, under GAM political and military pressure, agreed to open a
\ndialog with GAM and treat GAM as equal partners in \"humanitarian
\ntalks\".<\/p>\n
Over the last three years Aceh has reportedly been swamped by
\nAGAM militant personnel, fully equipped with modern military
\nequipment. Meanwhile, violence and killings are daily
\noccurrences. More and more police officers, and also military
\npersonnel, have been killed in gun battles with AGAM.<\/p>\n
Another mistake made by Abdurrahman's administration was its
\nbelief that GAM would be satisfied if Aceh was given special
\nautonomy, including the freedom to apply syariah.<\/p>\n
A law on Nanggroe Aceh Darrusalam (NAD) was then
\nquickly drafted with the support of the legislature. GAM,
\nhowever, did not welcome the law enthusiastically.<\/p>\n
Now, according to foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda, at the
\nlatest meeting in Geneva GAM agreed to discuss the special
\nautonomy law as the basis for further talks with the Republic.
\nThis, however, could be a tactic by GAM to buy time. Why?<\/p>\n
Following the killing of Teungku Abdullah Syafi'ie, the AGAM
\ncommander, and the reactivation of the Aceh Military Command, GAM
\nleaders are taking time out reassess the leadership of President
\nMegawati.<\/p>\n
She is no Habibie, and no Abdurrahman, either. She has a major
\nobsession to end all ethnic conflicts and separatist movements
\nthroughout the country. Her stance on GAM is undoubtedly clear:
\nintegrate yourselves with all Acehnese factions to develop the
\nregion or we will crush you mercilessly.<\/p>\n
She has already set a timetable for that. In Presidential
\nInstruction (Inpres) No 7\/2001, she ordered a number of ministers
\nto take six comprehensive steps to seek an end to the conflict in
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
That Instruction, which was issued on Oct. 11, 2001, cited the
\nfact that there had been \"no sign of resolution through peaceful
\nmeans\" as one of the reasons for its issuance. An implementation
\ntimetable of four months was set. This deadline might have been
\ninterpreted by the army as a signal for them to take all
\nnecessary actions if no sign was received from GAM that it was
\ngoing to seriously lay down its arms.<\/p>\n
Megawati is indeed a tough leader. She is, no doubt, following
\nthe principle of the Roman emperor Augustus (63 BC-AD 9), who
\nsaid that the ruler should exercise vast powers in a way which
\ntook account of public opinion\".<\/p>\n
GAM's softened stance during the latest Geneva talks is,
\napparently, due to the deadline stipulated in the above
\npresidential instruction.<\/p>\n
GAM leaders are well aware that Megawati is ready to use
\nforce, based on her military advisers' input, to end the
\nseparatist movements in Aceh and elsewhere in the country.<\/p>\n
Her approval for the reactivation of the Aceh Military Command
\nis another sign of her tough stance. Around 10,000 well-trained
\nsoldiers, mostly Acehnese, are available to the Command, which
\nwas officiated on Feb. 5 by Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Endriartono
\nSutarto.<\/p>\n
The resurrection of the Aceh Military Command has prompted
\ncriticism from various non-governmental organizations due
\nto fears that the military operation phase under Soeharto's
\nregime could be repeated. Such criticism and fears however, only
\nbenefit GAM.<\/p>\n
It is time for the government to end the insurgency in Aceh.
\nThe longer it takes to overcome it, the weaker the government's
\nposition vis-a-vis GAM. Aceh is an integral part of the Republic
\nand should never be independent -- a position which is not up for
\ndiscussion.<\/p>\n
Those responsible for atrocities against the Acehnese should
\nbe brought to trial. Economic justice must be upheld. People in
\nAceh are entitled to be prosperous due to their rich natural
\nresources. Nevertheless, armed insurgences, whatever the reason
\nfor them, cannot be justified as they violate the Constitution
\nand the decrees of the People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
If the Free Aceh Movement is still dreaming of independence,
\nthe government will have no alternative but to fight it
\nruthlessly. Because the Balkanization of Indonesia would only be
\na matter of time if Aceh were to break away from the Republic.<\/p>",
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