Stopping violence key to lasting peace in Aceh: GAM<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The \"positive and constructive\" results achieved during the
\nthird round of peace talks between the government of Indonesia
\nand leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) will be worthless if
\nviolence prevails in the province, a senior GAM official has
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"The peace talks between the leaders of the two warring sides
\nwill mean nothing if the violence continues in the field and the
\nAcehnese people continue to suffer,\" GAM political affairs
\nofficer Mohammed Nur Djuli told The Jakarta Post on Monday from
\nSweden.<\/p>\n
\"We are now waiting for the next step from the Indonesian
\ngovernment so as to see whether they have the willingness to
\nsupport the ongoing peace process. I don't want to speculate
\nabout the relationship between Indonesia's civilian government
\nand its military, but I can guarantee you that we (the GAM
\nleaders) can control our fighters in the field,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Mohammed expressed optimism, however, that both sides could
\nreach an agreement in the field by July. If not, \"why should we
\ncome to Helsinki? Let's say that we are cautiously optimistic.\"<\/p>\n
Late last week, the government and GAM leaders ended a third
\nround of peace negotiations in Helsinki, Finland, with both sides
\nciting progress. The two sides have agreed to hold another round
\nof peace talks from May 26 to May 31 in a bid to seek a lasting
\nsolution to end the almost three decades long conflict that has
\nclaimed at least 12,000 lives, mostly civilians.<\/p>\n
The latest round of peace talks, which started in January
\n(also in Helsinki), was triggered by the Dec. 26 tsunami
\ndisaster, which killed around 160,000 people in Aceh alone, and
\nintended to pave the way for the international humanitarian aid
\noperation. It was the first time the two sides had met at the
\nnegotiating table since May 2003, when Jakarta declared martial
\nlaw and launched a major military offensive in the province.<\/p>\n
Aceh has been a battleground between government and rebel
\nforces since 1976 when GAM launched its independence campaign for
\nthe oil rich province, angered by what it said was Jakarta's
\npillaging of the province's resources.<\/p>\n
From the field, GAM spokesman in East Aceh, Teungku Kafrawi,
\nhailed the outcome of the latest Aceh talks and vowed that the
\nguerrillas would follow whatever orders were given by their
\npolitical leaders.<\/p>\n
\"We are the military wing. We are not talking about politics,
\nbut follow the orders of GAM's leaders,\" Kafrawi told the Post.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Military (TNI) said that it would
\ncontinue to hunt down rebels in Aceh despite the latest peace
\ntalks.<\/p>\n
\"Of course, whatever the results of the peace talks in
\nHelsinki, we'll happily welcome them. But up here, the operation
\naimed at cracking down on the secessionist movement still goes
\non,\" Aceh Military Operations Commander Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya
\nsaid from his headquarters in the provincial capital of Banda
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
\"Every action of the TNI is based on government decisions.
\nBut, if you ask me, a cease-fire would be useless,\" he told
\nReuters. \"GAM will only use a cease-fire as a way to consolidate
\nits forces, and only a peace deal will be able to end the
\nfighting,\" added Endang, who is due to be promoted to Army
\nHeadquarters in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Endang, however, denied previous reports that the TNI planned
\nto boost the number of its troops in Aceh.<\/p>\n
Currently, there are at least 38,000 troops in the province.<\/p>\n
One significant step forward made during the latest Helsinki
\ntalks was the acceptance of the principle of outside monitoring.
\nThe European Union, which has helped finance the negotiations,
\nand the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have been
\nmentioned as possible monitors, according to former Finnish
\npresident Martti Ahtisaari, who mediated at the talks.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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