Salvaging peace from the tsunami in Aceh<\/p>\n
Desra Percaya
\nNew York<\/p>\n
To the dismay of many, armed clashes between Indonesian
\nsecurity forces and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) reportedly
\ncontinue in the tsunami-ravaged province, which can endanger the
\nhumanitarian work conducted by local and foreign volunteers and
\nalso foreign military personnel there.<\/p>\n
In order to address this situation, President Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono invited six foreign ambassadors on Jan. 10, including
\nthe ambassadors of Japan and Libya, asking them to help pressure
\nthe leaders of GAM living overseas not to interfere in the
\nhumanitarian relief efforts in Aceh.<\/p>\n
President Susilo also assured the ambassadors that the
\nIndonesian government still wants to find a peaceful solution to
\nthe ongoing conflict in Aceh. Indeed, this issue should also be
\nseen in the broader context of exploring the possibility of an
\navenue to bring peace back to Aceh after the huge natural
\ndisaster, a prospect for which the international community is
\nexpected to contribute.<\/p>\n
Thousands of Acehnese people have lost their lives as the
\nvictims of the unending conflict caused by the erroneous policies
\nof previous governments and the activities of GAM. The roots of
\nconflict in Aceh include an imbalance in development, political
\ninjustice, ignorance of local values, and the political
\nmarginalization of the people. To these must be added the
\nrepressive policies of past governments.<\/p>\n
These problems were exploited politically by some Acehnese -
\nparticularly members of GAM -- to demand independence or
\nseparation from the unitary state of Indonesia -- a demand that
\nwas, and is accompanied by force and terror.<\/p>\n
It is regrettable, in this regard, that not only were local
\ngrievances not properly addressed, previous governments mostly
\nresponded with force as well. Thus, efforts toward a peaceful
\nsolution or dialog were sidelined.<\/p>\n
It may be recalled that, four years ago, President Abdurrahman
\nWahid embarked on an unprecedented move to conduct dialog with
\nGAM. The process led to the signing of the Humanitarian Pause in
\nMay 2000, which filled the majority of Acehnese with high hopes
\nthat peace would soon return to the province. Peace however is
\nstill very distant.<\/p>\n
Subsequently, the signing of the agreement to end the
\nhostilities between the Government of Indonesia and GAM took
\nplace in Geneva in December 2002. As a consequence of their
\nearlier disappointment, however, the people had a lukewarm
\nattitude toward the landmark Geneva accord, and the conflict has
\ncontinued.<\/p>\n
It is worth observing that much of the failure of the
\nagreements with GAM is attributable to its inability to deliver
\non its many promises. It is understandable that as a loose
\nseparatist movement whose leaders live in Stockholm, they lack a
\nstrong grip and solid influence on followers in the field,
\nespecially the armed elements. This is the inherent problem that
\nhas often prevented GAM's implementation of any previous
\nagreements in the province.<\/p>\n
All that aside, the tsunami disaster has created a new crisis
\nfor the area and its people. Given that it is a general wisdom
\nthat every crisis also offers opportunity, could this reignite
\ndialog toward a peaceful solution to the conflict?<\/p>\n
Toward that end, this is an opportunity for the Indonesian
\ngovernment to win back the hearts and minds of the Acehnese.
\nDespite security limitations and the civil emergency in the
\nprovince, the government has demonstrated goodwill and taken
\nsignificant steps in this direction, particularly in the
\nunprecedented decision to facilitate and permit foreigners --
\nincluding military personnel, United Nations relief workers,
\ninternational non-governmental organizations and individuals --
\nto enter Aceh.<\/p>\n
That being said, the current situation in Aceh similarly
\nprovides a valuable chance for the leadership of GAM, including
\nthose who are living in Stockholm to show their true face, if it
\nis the face of healing and peace.<\/p>\n
It is surprising to note that there has been no word from
\nStockholm concerning the calamity and recent developments in the
\nprovince. If the GAM leadership is really concerned about Aceh,
\nas they have always claimed, there is no better opportunity than
\nthe present, in the context of the humanitarian challenge, to
\nwork hand-in-hand with the government. In the interests of the
\nAcehnese, GAM should do the right thing and declare its readiness
\nto revive dialog within the unitary and democratic state of
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
The government has made it clear that a demand for
\nindependence is out of the question. This is not a unique
\nposition, as every other legitimate country in the world would
\nobject to any threat of separatism by armed insurgents. In this
\nregard, the realistic option for GAM is to abandon its armed
\nstruggle and transform itself into a political party.<\/p>\n
Against this background, the current calamity in Aceh offers
\nfresh hope for resuming dialog. This is an opportunity that
\nshould not be thrown away. Both the government and GAM must
\nexplore practical modalities for a peaceful solution to the
\nconflict, an exercise that should involve all stakeholders of
\npeace in Aceh, namely all elements of the Acehnese society.<\/p>\n
President Susilo, who has, from the very beginning, been
\ninvolved in the search for a peaceful settlement to the conflict,
\nis fully aware of the complexity of the problems, and he
\npersonally knows the difficulties in dealing with the leadership
\nof GAM.<\/p>\n
GAM should exert its influence on its armed groups in the
\nfield not to halt any distribution of humanitarian aid, which
\nwould only prolong the suffering of the Acehnese people. Pressure
\nfrom the international community is definitely needed in this
\nregard.<\/p>\n
The writer works at the Indonesian Mission to the United
\nNations, New York. The views expressed are his own and do not
\nnecessarily reflect the position of the Government of Indonesia.<\/p>",
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