Respite for Aceh<\/p>\n
There never was a good war or a bad peace. Despite the
\nincremental pace of negotiations, the positive mood at the
\nconclusion of a second round talks in Helsinki between the
\ngovernment and representatives of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
\nshould be welcomed by all.<\/p>\n
People in tsunami-ravaged Aceh do not need politics. They are
\nstill focused on simply surviving and attempting to rebuild some
\nsemblance of a normal life.<\/p>\n
Any formula that extends peace and defers open conflict in
\nAceh, even if only temporarily, is welcome.<\/p>\n
A flicker of light now seems to be appearing at the end of the
\ntunnel after decades of violence.<\/p>\n
But we have been down this road before. Hopes have been
\nshattered and promises broken. It is not surprising that the
\nreaction at home to the talks so far has been guarded.<\/p>\n
We fear that the flicker may not be the light at the end of
\nthe tunnel, but instead a speeding train come to smash the dreams
\nof peace once again.<\/p>\n
This is a delicate time in the negotiations. GAM has shown
\ngood faith in entertaining alternatives to independence, while
\nJakarta, to the anger of some, has displayed courage by sending a
\nhigh-level delegation to the talks.<\/p>\n
What is now needed is tact and quiet diplomacy. Senior
\nIndonesian figures should refrain from summarily derogating the
\nposition of GAM in public. Critics must not inflame what has been
\na relatively cooperative mood.<\/p>\n
There is still much to be worked out, therefore we should
\nallow the elaborate wheels of diplomacy to proceed accordingly.<\/p>\n
We understand that timetables and targets must be set to move
\nthe talks forward. However, unduly applying pressure at this
\nearly juncture, such as Vice President Jusuf Kalla suggesting on
\nThursday an agreement could be reached by the middle of the year,
\nis unnecessary.<\/p>\n
This initial sit-down phase of talks is probably the easiest
\npart of the negotiations. The hard work is about to begin.<\/p>\n
Defining a role for GAM within the context of the unitary
\nstate will require exhaustive exchanges, creativity and immense
\ngoodwill.<\/p>\n
It is also important to remind both parties that the "real"
\nstakeholders in peace in Aceh -- the Acehnese -- should, at some
\njuncture, be actively brought into the process. They must not be
\ntreated as passive objects. Without the consent, support and
\nparticipation of those who actually live in the province, any
\nagreement reached will be in vain.<\/p>\n
Regardless of the development of peace talks in Helsinki, we
\nstrongly believe there should also be a parallel review of the
\nconcept of autonomy in Aceh.<\/p>\n
An egalitarian Indonesia, whether in Aceh or elsewhere,
\ndepends on the extent of freedom accorded to its people to
\ndetermine their own path within the parameters of the unitary
\nstate.<\/p>\n
While jurisdictional control is ceded to the regions, there
\nare questions about whether the current body of laws regulating
\nregional autonomy has truly succeeded in transferring power, not
\njust authority, to the regions.<\/p>\n
Without authentic recognition of the rights of regions to be
\nautonomous, local discontent will continue to fester. Aceh is
\njust one example of how such local discontent has evolved into a
\nrebellion.<\/p>\n
That, in essence, is the big question facing Jakarta. Is its
\npeace initiative designed to resolve a perpetual headache in a
\nfar-off province, or does it truly have the well-being of the
\npeople there in mind? The central government needs to ensure that
\nits offer truly has the good interests of the Acehnese in mind,
\nand is not a means to score a diplomatic success.<\/p>\n
Similarly, GAM needs to ask who and what they are fighting for
\nwhen their own people are content simply to regain some normalcy
\nin their lives.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/respite-for-aceh-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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