Peace effort in Geneva<\/p>\n
Today, barring any unforeseen developments, a document will be
\nsigned in Geneva that will hopefully end one of the most extended
\nand, in terms of human lives, most devastating conflicts that has
\nplagued Indonesia for almost 25 years.<\/p>\n
In a display of realism that is rather untypical of Indonesian
\nregimes so far, the Jakarta administration recently agreed to
\nsign a memorandum of understanding with the Stockholm-based Free
\nAceh Movement (GAM) to provide a \"humanitarian pause\" to the
\nfighting that has taken thousands of lives, mostly civilian,
\nsince insurgents hoping for an independent Islamic state of Aceh
\nfirst took up arms against the government in Jakarta in 1976.<\/p>\n
Given the lesson of East Timor, where, given the option to
\nchoose in a free and democratic referendum, the overwhelming
\nmajority of voters opted to sever the territory's 25-year-long
\nties with Jakarta in favor of setting up an independent state,
\nthe fears that exist among quite a number of Indonesians that
\nhistory might repeat itself in Aceh can easily be understood.<\/p>\n
After all, only a few months have passed since crowds of
\nexuberant Acehnese, estimated to have numbered more than a
\nmillion, converged on the provincial capital of Banda Aceh to
\ndemand a similar referendum to opt between regional autonomy or
\nfull independence. At present, even though Jakarta -- fearful of
\nstarting a torrent of demands for independence similar to that
\nwhich ended Indonesian rule over East Timor less than a year ago
\n-- has ruled out the option of full independence, such fears
\nremain.<\/p>\n
The difficulty is that after more than two decades of trying
\nby the government in Jakarta, using every means and resource it
\ncan muster, the problem persists. Indeed, the longer a solution
\nthat is acceptable to the majority of people in Aceh is delayed,
\nthe more complicated the situation tends to become and the more
\ndifficult it becomes to achieve a negotiated settlement.<\/p>\n
Hence, by recognizing the realities that exist, the Geneva
\npeace effort is at least a step in the right direction.
\nFortunately, even though an agreement does not guarantee that
\npeace in the troubled province can be restored any time soon,
\nthere are positive signs that the goal of restoring peace in Aceh
\nmight well be attained sooner than many Indonesians might expect.<\/p>\n
Certainly, doubts exists as to the effectiveness of coming to
\nan agreement with GAM. For one thing, many Acehnese themselves
\nhave doubts about who GAM really represent. For another, though
\nthere is no doubt that discontent over Jakarta's policies runs
\ndeep and wide throughout this gas-rich province, the presence of
\nfactions and even criminals trying to cash in on the situation
\nclouds the issue and complicates efforts to come to a generally
\nacceptable solution.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, to quote the chief of the Indonesian Military
\n(TNI), Admiral Widodo Adisutjipto, on the issue, every effort is
\nworth making. That implies that all the parties involved in the
\nconflict must be invited to join the efforts to restore peace in
\nthe province, however one might distrust or dislike their
\nmotives.<\/p>\n
After all, as we understand it, the Geneva peace effort aims
\nmerely to establish the kind of situation that is conducive to
\nrestoring peace so that development is possible in the province.
\nWhat steps must be taken afterward to ensure that local
\nsentiments are duly represented in further deliberations is
\nsomething that must be answered when the time comes.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/peace-effort-in-geneva-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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