'This time there's much more will to make it work'<\/p>\n
The Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) of the European
\nUnion and ASEAN has started its task of monitoring the
\nimplementation of the historic peace agreement between Indonesia
\nand the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The following is an excerpt of
\na recent interview with the chief of the mission, Pieter Feith,
\nwho spoke with The Jakarta Post's Tiarma Siboro in Banda Aceh.<\/p>\n
Question: Despite the signing of the peace agreement, some
\nAcehnese were still reluctant to commemorate Indonesia's recent
\nIndependence Day, which falls on Aug. 17, saying they had gained
\nnothing since independence and would rather raise the GAM flag.
\nYour comment?<\/p>\n
Answer: All Indonesians, including the people of Aceh, should
\nfeel comfortable and happy about Indonesia's Independence Day. So
\nthey should all rejoice on that day as the day of national unity
\nand reconciliation. We hope next year there will be an even
\ngreater celebration as we hopefully conclude this mission
\nsuccessfully and as autonomy is set up for Aceh.<\/p>\n
GAM's flags will not be tolerated anymore after the signing of
\nthe agreement. As seen in the memorandum of understanding (MoU),
\nafter the elections, the administration can decide upon a new
\nflag for Aceh and a hymn and other symbols. That is not a
\ndecision for GAM. That is a decision for the elected legislature
\nand the administration of the future autonomous province of Aceh.<\/p>\n
What preparations is AMM doing to carry out its mandate?<\/p>\n
We now have an initial presence here to make sure that we are
\nfully prepared for Sept. 15 (the scheduled withdrawal of non-
\norganic security forces according to MoU). We are already
\nassuming tasks that we thought would be expected after Sept. 15.
\nI'm referring to individual GAM members who are already coming
\nforward with their arms and the TNI which (began to) withdraw
\ntroops on Monday.<\/p>\n
What problems are expected in the field?<\/p>\n
It's a question of ensuring security and safety, especially
\nafter they have laid down their arms. But we count on good
\narrangements with the police and with the TNI. I was encouraged
\nby the handling of individual GAM members the other day (who came
\nto deliver their arms). The weapons were taken into custody at
\nthe local police station and the GAM were treated with respect.
\nThat was exactly how it should be done.<\/p>\n
I have also met with GAM leadership in the field. I think they
\nare very much looking forward to the implementation of this MoU.<\/p>\n
They assured us that they would fully comply with the
\ndirection from (their leaders in) Stockholm, not their (local)
\ncommanders.<\/p>\n
What if the parties violate points in the agreement?<\/p>\n
I have no enforcing power. I think it is entirely sufficient
\nfor me to be able to bring my case to the highest political
\nauthority in Jakarta and the GAM leadership and I expect they
\nwill help me deal with any violations or problems that may arise.<\/p>\n
How will you deal with those with weapons but who are not in
\nuniform, including civilians and possibly militia members?<\/p>\n
We have (contact with civil society) and we will ask them to
\nsupport our efforts, but my mandate is limited to dealing with
\nthe GAM disarmament and demobilization, as well as with the
\nwithdrawal of TNI and police forces.<\/p>\n
There is a provision in the MoU which deals with illegal
\nweapons and we trust that the TNI and the Indonesian authorities
\nwill see to it that there is no manifestation of the militia
\nphenomenon.<\/p>\n
The collapse of the previous Cessation of Hostilities
\nAgreement (COHA) was in part because GAM refused to disarm, and
\nTNI did not withdraw its troops either. How wily you prevent this
\nfrom happening again?<\/p>\n
I believe that there is another difference between the current
\nagreement and the COHA. Now there is much political commitment
\nfrom the President and the Vice President (Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla), and also from GAM's political
\nleadership. So, this time we will see a much greater intention to
\nmake it work.<\/p>\n
How will you deal with the amnesty issue as it may have
\nrepercussions on politics within Indonesia?<\/p>\n
This is the responsibility of the Indonesian government and I
\nrespect that. So, I'm happy being entrusted with the task of
\nmonitoring the human rights situation, but in a forward-looking
\nmanner. I will look into the human rights situation and problems
\nthat may arise with the reintegration (of GAM members) in the
\ncontext of the decommissioning process. So I will focus on the
\naftermath of the amnesty granting, the decommissioning, and then
\nI will monitor the human rights implications.<\/p>\n
Will you be able to complete all these tasks in the short six
\nmonths of your mandate?<\/p>\n
What we can do is to complete the decommissioning and the
\nredeployment, then we will monitor (the MoU implementation) for
\nanother two months, but then we will have less military or
\ndecommissioning expertise. We will then focus on the human rights
\nsituation and the legislation change. We have a community program
\nwith the European Union and we will maintain its presence.<\/p>\n
We want to ensure that this whole process will become self-
\nsustained before we recommend the end of our presence.<\/p>\n
Could you elaborate on your task of monitoring the
\nreintegration of GAM members into society?<\/p>\n
We are working together with the International Organization
\nfor Migration. We hope to get a list of amnestied prisoners and
\ndetainees, as well as a list from GAM about its supporting
\nfighters who are going to lay down their weapons.<\/p>\n
These lists will be the basis for registration and then for
\ntracking and ultimately for giving them assistance.<\/p>\n
Active GAM fighters who come out to lay down their weapons
\nwill be given an initial reintegration package. There will be
\nsupport to the villages where they go through the Rehabilitation
\nand Reconstruction Agency (BRR, set up after the tsunami), and we
\nexpect that, also with the assistance of the European Commission,
\nwe can include these people in the program supporting recovery
\nafter the tsunami disaster.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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