Optimism grows ahead of Geneva Aceh talks<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Optimism looms ahead of the upcoming
\ntwo-day peace talks between the Indonesian government and the
\nFree Aceh Movement (GAM) scheduled to take place in Geneva from
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
Chairman of Commission A of the Aceh provincial legislative
\ncouncil Mustafa Abdullah Geulanggang said here on Friday that he
\nwas optimistic the peace talks would be fruitful because \"Aceh
\nGovernor Abdullah Puteh will represent the Indonesian
\ngovernment.\"<\/p>\n
\"With Puteh representing the government, things would
\nhopefully be easier,\" said Geulanggang.<\/p>\n
Puteh, former member of the House of Representatives (DPR) is
\nAcehnese. He will be one of a team of Indonesian officials led by
\nthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Political
\nAffairs, Hassan Wirayuda, at the two-day meeting.<\/p>\n
\"It's not a question of winning or losing in the talks. The
\nmost important thing is that violence could end soon in Aceh and
\nthat there could be peace for all.\"<\/p>\n
The executive director of the NGO Coalition for Human Rights
\nin Aceh, Maimul Fidar, shared his opinion, saying that peace
\ntalks were a must for Indonesia and GAM. \"People must not be
\nsacrificed any longer.\"<\/p>\n
\"Both Indonesia and GAM must reduce the role of the armed
\nforces and give civilians more chance to settle their problems in
\na democratic manner.\"<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. said earlier that Indonesian
\nCoordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs
\nAgum Gumelar, who is a retired Army general, would join the
\nGeneva meeting.<\/p>\n
Last week in Jakarta, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri
\nchaired a ministerial meeting at Merdeka Selatan Palace.<\/p>\n
Megawati expressed her expectation during the meeting, which
\nwas also attended by governor Puteh, that the government would be
\nable to resolve the Aceh conflict before celebrating the 56th
\nanniversary of Indonesia's independence on Aug. 17.<\/p>\n
She also hoped the good news could be reported to the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) during its plenary meeting in August.<\/p>\n
Back in Banda Aceh, Chairman of Aceh's Ulemas Council M.
\nIbrahim called on all Acehnese people in the country to pray for
\nthe success of the meeting.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Muhammad Nazar, chairman of the Aceh Referendum
\nInformation Center (SIRA), said that he had sent a letter to GAM
\nand Indonesian government officials at the meeting, requesting
\nthat a referendum or a local election be arranged in Aceh and
\nthat both sides must agree to a cease-fire and respect it.<\/p>\n
\"The Henry Dunant Center (which is sponsoring the peace talks)
\nshould improve its role in the implementation of the peace
\nagreement,\" the letter said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, spokesman for Aceh's Law and Order Operation Lt.
\nCol. Firdaus said in Banda Aceh that 20 GAM members were killed
\nduring an ambush on Friday.<\/p>\n
The clash between GAM members and the Indonesian military
\ntook place in the village of Timang Gajah in Central Aceh on
\nFriday. (50\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/optimism-grows-ahead-of-geneva-aceh-talks-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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