T. Sima Gunawan
\nStaff Writer
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta
\nsima@thejakartapost.com<\/p>\n
How much blood should soil Acehnese soil?
\nOR
\nUntil the Acehnese soil turns red?<\/p>\n
The Acehnese dream of a peaceful life has turned into a
\nnightmare. War is back with the government's decision to launch a
\nmilitary offensive in the province following the failure of
\nrecent peace talks with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).<\/p>\n
The government said a humanitarian aid program was also being
\nlaunched along with the sending of 50,000 troops and police in
\nAceh through what they call integrated operations.<\/p>\n
But no matter how much money is to be channeled to the restive
\narea, how many tons of rice sent to overcome food shortages, the
\nmisery and trauma of the war will remain.<\/p>\n
Indeed, the scars of war during the period of the military
\noperation zone (DOM) between 1989 and 1998, which claimed some
\n10,000 lives, a still remain.<\/p>\n
The first few days of the war clearly show that it is the
\ninnocent who suffer the most. Thousands of children have lost
\ntheir right to education with the torching of 287 schools. No one
\nhas claimed responsibility, and instead the Indonesian Military
\n(TNI) and GAM are trading accusation.<\/p>\n
On Friday, newspapers reported that 10 civilians, including a
\n12-year-old boy, were killed in cold blood by the military. TNI
\nacknowledged the deaths but said the incident could have happened
\nbecause GAM members were hiding among civilians.<\/p>\n
The government and the military have repeatedly stated that
\nthe military offensive is aimed at crushing GAM, and they have
\nvowed to strive to minimize the number of civilian casualties.<\/p>\n
Many fear that the military will find it difficult to
\ndistinguish between GAM members and civilians, and worry that the
\nmilitary will abuse its power by killing anyone suspected of
\nbeing a GAM member.<\/p>\n
Abuse of power leading to human rights violations has
\nunfortunately already taken place. Several activists and
\nindividuals have also been accused of being linked to GAM and
\nsubsequently arrested.<\/p>\n
Many Acehnese live in fear. They might be afraid of GAM, which
\nis often described as a savage and vicious militia that likes to
\nharass people, but they might also be afraid of the military,
\nnotorious for acts of violence during the previous military
\noperation.<\/p>\n
The exodus has started -- again. Many have left their
\nhometowns and have headed for North Sumatra, which borders Aceh.<\/p>\n
Fear grips not only the Acehnese who live in the conflict
\nareas, but also native Acehnese residing outside of the province,
\nincluding in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, the governor, the police chief and the military
\ncommander have repeatedly warned the public of possible terror
\nattacks by GAM members.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the police announced they had started to hunt
\ndown suspects in their hiding places in the capital. Governor
\nSutiyoso also mentioned raids on rented houses throughout the
\ncity to capture any rebels. The governor also encouraged people
\nto arrest anyone they suspected of being GAM members and turn
\nthem into the police.<\/p>\n
Not only does the policy cause concern among the Acehnese who
\nlive in the city, it also draws criticism due to its lack of
\nlegal basis. Worse, it is prone to human rights violations.<\/p>\n
The government is confident it will win the war, and that when
\nthe war is over, peace will come to Aceh.<\/p>\n
Starting a war to restore peace is a contradiction in itself.
\nBut, as Indonesians say, the rice has already become porridge
\n(nasi telah menjadi bubur). No one can turn porridge back into
\nrice. But at least it should not rot nor turn rancid. Both
\nparties could return to the negotiating table. But how can
\nIndonesia's negotiators make words sharper than weapons, to win
\nover GAM?<\/p>\n
Talking is tiring, especially if it is mere rhetoric. But the
\nAcehnese are sick and tired of war.<\/p>\n
Before becoming president, Megawati Soekarnoputri promised she
\nwould not let one drop of blood spill on Acehnese soil. It is a
\nlittle late for that now, but she should do her utmost to prevent
\nfurther bloodshed.<\/p>",
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