Resolving Aceh issue needs realistic stance<\/p>\n
By Desra Percaya<\/p>\n
LONDON (JP): Since the downfall of the New Order regime, the
\nthreat of disintegration has been hanging over Indonesia. This is
\nmainly prevalent in the westernmost and easternmost parts of
\nIndonesia, namely Aceh and Irian Jaya. The problem is on the top
\nof President Megawati Soekarnoputri's priority list, as reflected
\nin her first Cabinet meeting on Monday.<\/p>\n
Indeed, her coming to power has been accompanied by a great
\nexpectation that the process to find a comprehensive solution to
\nthe issue, especially Aceh, would be intensified in a clear and
\ncoherent manner. However, this will be meaningless if the leaders
\nof the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) prefer violence to achieve their
\naspirations of independence.<\/p>\n
It is widely understood that the root causes of the conflict
\nin Aceh are economic imbalance, political injustice, ignorance of
\nlocal values, and deprivation of the people. Add to this the
\nrepressive policy of the past government. This situation was
\npolitically exploited by some diehard Acehnese, particularly
\nmembers of the GAM separatist group, to demand independence or
\nseparation from the unitary state of Indonesia -- a demand
\naccompanied by force and terror.<\/p>\n
Grievances were not properly addressed, and the past
\ngovernment responded with force as well. The suffering of the
\npeople hence deepened dramatically.<\/p>\n
While the government's security apparatus is intensifying
\nefforts to restore security and order, the armed elements of GAM
\nare making every effort to defend their position and the people
\nare caught in between. The almost daily revelation of killings
\nand violence has become normal and seems to be merely considered
\nas the consequence of a conflict situation. What is more worrying
\nis that this cycle of conflict tends to create a violent
\ngeneration, which will prolong the conflict in the years to come.
\nThus, the saga of Aceh is still far from a happy resolution.<\/p>\n
Despite its shortcomings, the dialog initiated by the
\nAbdurrahman Wahid government has been praised by many Acehnese
\nand the international community. Indeed, dialog should, among
\nother things, provide opportunities to understand respective
\nunderlying concerns and to build trust and confidence towards a
\npolitical settlement. Nevertheless, one difficulty in negotiating
\nwith GAM has been to comprehend its negotiating position,
\nparticularly the distinction between its wishes and reality.<\/p>\n
The ailing top leadership of GAM has mainly caused this
\nstumbling block through repeated rhetorical assertions linked to
\nincidents that goes back centuries, stating that Aceh must be
\n\"decolonized.\" This stance has failed to be translated into a
\nclear negotiating position. The fact is that the decolonization
\nissue in the framework of the United Nations is related and
\nlimited to 16 non-self-governing territories as listed by the
\n24th Committee of the UN General Assembly -- while Aceh is not on
\nthe list at all.<\/p>\n
Worse, the claim of decolonization has been exploited to
\nspread revulsion against the Javanese as the supposed colonial
\npower. The recent killings in Central Aceh are evidence of the
\npowerful and devastating negative impact of combining racial
\nhatred and opposition against the central government. This
\nincident reconfirms the fact that GAM resorts to indiscriminate
\nkillings, intimidation and terror. Unfortunately, the
\ninternational community has been lacking in attention. Again, it
\nis innocent civilians that have become victims of the protracted
\nconflict.<\/p>\n
The latest peace talks in Switzerland have indicated that the
\nnegotiations face an impasse. This fact underlines once again
\nthat one of the greatest obstacles has been to bridge the gap
\nbetween the demand for independence and the government's offer of
\nspecial autonomy. In fact, the main barrier has been the
\npolitical dimension. For as long as political differences are not
\nreconciled, violence will increase. This is particularly true as
\nthe issue of independence remains on the table. As a result, it
\nwill be nearly impossible to eliminate mutual suspicion as well
\nas to build trust and confidence, let alone security.<\/p>\n
GAM leaders must fully understand that, for many years,
\nefforts to break away from the Republic of Indonesia by any
\nmeans, including force, have failed. No country supports GAM's
\ndemand for independence. The rise of President Megawati and the
\nrecent passing of the autonomy law on the Province of Nanggroe
\nAceh Darussalam should be seized as an opportunity to resolve
\ndifferences by peaceful means.<\/p>\n
GAM leaders must be realistic enough to work within the
\ndemocratic state of Indonesia. Otherwise, they will remain
\nprisoners of their own wishful thinking.<\/p>\n
The writer works at the International Organizations
\nDirectorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>",
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