Ryaas cites hurdles in solution for Aceh<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid
\nsaid on Saturday it was difficult for the government to seek a
\npeaceful and comprehensive solution to the conflict in Aceh if
\nthe Acehnese themselves were divided over what they wanted.<\/p>\n
\"How can the Aceh problem be solved peacefully if the violence
\nthat has claimed thousands of lives continues? It's very
\ndifficult because the Acehnese are not all of the same opinion on
\nthe conflict and on the ideal format for their future,\" he said
\nhere during a seminar on Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"Some want special autonomy and some want a self-determination
\nreferendum. Many are fighting for independence, while many others
\nare demanding the international community come in. The central
\ngovernment is confused between which groups it wants to hold a
\ndialog with,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ryaas stressed that the government was waiting to learn what
\nthe Acehnese wanted, adding that Jakarta was ready to hold
\ndialogs with any groups from Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing is that the Acehnese have the same
\nvision on the conflict and its solution. The government is ready
\nto hold negotiations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ryaas urged the Acehnese to seriously study and consider the
\nspecial autonomy offer, as it was not really that different from
\nthe entitlements they would possess if they were to become
\nindependent.<\/p>\n
\"The law on Aceh's special status is flexible because under
\nthe law, special autonomy can be implemented at the provincial
\nlevel, Islamic syariah (law) can be fully employed and they are
\nfree to use their own administration system, except in defense,
\nforeign policy and the monetary and court system,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Touching on the question of foreign intervention, Ryaas hinted
\nthe government would likely turn down offers of mediation from
\noutside the country.<\/p>\n
\"If the government bows to this demand, the most probable
\nmediator would be the United States. But the question is whether
\nthat country is interested in Aceh,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Historian Anhar Gonggong also urged the Acehnese to come
\ntogether and present a clear and unified proposal containing what
\nthey really want.<\/p>\n
\"To me, the political elite in the province are not honest in
\nregard to the key problem in Aceh,\" he said, adding that leaders
\nin the province \"should not envelop their political interests
\nwith issues which have no relation to the real problem\".<\/p>\n
Emha Ainun Najib, a Muslim intellectual, said the Acehnese
\nshould not be too militant and extreme in their demands over the
\nsufferings caused by former president Soeharto's 32-year
\nrepressive government, as other provinces were victims of the
\nsame plight.<\/p>\n
Numerous elderly Acehnese former government officials
\nattending the two-day seminar demanded the government implement
\nspecial autonomy and Islamic syariah law, while most students and
\nhuman rights activists from Aceh seemed more inclined to advocate
\na self-determination referendum. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ryaas-cites-hurdles-in-solution-for-aceh-1447893297",
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