Peace in Aceh<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
It took three presidents and required the peacemaking skills of a
\nvice president to put an end to three decades of bloodshed in
\nAceh when the government of Indonesia and separatist rebels in
\nthe province inked a truce.<\/p>\n
The accord appears to have satisfied both parties, compared to
\nprevious agreements which were proven to be short-lived, as it
\nrequires the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to renounce its long-held
\ndemand for full independence in exchange for political and
\neconomic privileges for the province.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid
\nAwaluddin signed the agreement with Malik Mahmud, the self-styled
\nprime minister of the exiled GAM leadership in Sweden, in the
\nFinnish capital Helsinki, after seven months of painstaking
\nnegotiations initiated by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.<\/p>\n
Military and civilian officials from the European Union and
\nthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations are to monitor the
\nimplementation of the deal, which includes an amnesty for GAM
\npolitical prisoners, creation of political parties in the
\nprovince, withdrawal of non-local security forces and the
\nformation of a human rights court and a truth and reconciliation
\ncommission.<\/p>\n
\"We've come to this day after years of military violence
\nagainst the people of Aceh. This is the beginning of the process
\nof justice for the Aceh people,\" Mahmud said in his speech.<\/p>\n
Mahmud, who spoke in English, also raised concerns about the
\npast record of the Indonesia Military (TNI) as well as the
\ngovernment's commitment to implementing the peace agreement.<\/p>\n
Both parties had signed peace accords under former presidents
\nAbdurrahman Wahid in 2000 and Megawati Soekarnoputri in 2002.<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Jusuf Kalla and House of
\nRepresentatives Speaker Agung Laksono witnessed the televised
\naccord signing through a big screen set up at the Merdeka Palace
\nin Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesians, including my brothers in Aceh, let us appreciate
\nthe significant event as something that we should be proud of,\"
\nSusilo said after the signing.<\/p>\n
Wearing a long-sleeved batik shirt, the President was seen
\nsmiling several times but also paid full attention when Hamid and
\nMahmud inked the agreement.<\/p>\n
Susilo shook his head and clasped his hands tightly when the
\nGAM leader presented his speech.<\/p>\n
Nobody in the palace clapped for Mahmud, in contrast to the
\nbig applause given to Hamid when he finished his acceptance
\nspeech.<\/p>\n
In a prepared speech, Hamid expected both sides to look
\nforward to develop a better Aceh.<\/p>\n
A video conference linkup to allow the President to speak to
\nthe delegates in Helsinki, including the GAM leadership, failed
\ndue to technical problems.<\/p>\n
\"Could they hear me?\" the President asked Coordinating
\nMinister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi
\nSucipto and Hamid, who were told to explain the agreement to the
\nIndonesian people.<\/p>\n
Susilo also thanked former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari
\nand his Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), the government of
\nFinland, the European Union and ASEAN and \"our brothers and
\nsisters who were previously grouped under GAM\" for their efforts
\nand commitment to permanently end the conflict in Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"All parties need to work hard and sincerely in a bid to build
\na better, more peaceful, fairer and more democratic condition in
\nNanggroe Aceh Darussalam,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Both sides had been cautiously optimistic that the agreement
\nwould open the way for lasting peace, a hope lent renewed urgency
\nafter the Dec. 26 tsunami which hit Aceh especially hard, killing
\nat least 130,000 people.<\/p>\n
Pursuant to the peace deal, foreign monitors under the Aceh
\nMonitoring Mission will deploy 80 of its 200 personnel to plan
\nand prepare for the start of the monitoring task between Aug. 15
\nand Sept. 14. During their initial presence, the unarmed foreign
\nmonitors will make local contacts and familiarize themselves with
\nconditions in Aceh before their mission swings into a full gear
\non Sept. 15.<\/p>\n
Monitors will not take on a facilitation or negotiation role.
\nThey will conduct their task by communicating with both parties
\nand by carrying out inspections and investigations as required.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/peace-in-aceh-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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