TNI backs peace deal with GAM<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) has thrown its
\nweight behind an unprecedented peace accord to be signed in
\nGeneva with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).<\/p>\n
TNI chief Adm. Widodo A.S. announced at Bina Graha
\npresidential palace on Thursday that the two conflicting sides
\nsupport the initiative as part of efforts to end violence in
\nAceh, where GAM has waged guerrilla warfare since 1976.<\/p>\n
"We have to look at it in a positive light. We hope this
\n(accord) will contribute significantly to solving the problems in
\nAceh," Widodo said.<\/p>\n
"Every effort to solve the Aceh problem is worth making," he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto
\nsaid the accord could help reduce casualties and end suffering in
\nthe resource-rich province. At least 300 people have been killed
\nin a series of violence in Aceh this year alone.<\/p>\n
The joint understanding on humanitarian pause for Aceh is
\nslated to be signed by Indonesia's permanent representative to
\nthe United Nations Hassan Wirayuda on behalf of the government
\nand GAM's health minister Zaini Abdullah on Friday morning Geneva
\ntime. The event will take place behind closed doors and with the
\nmedia kept at a distance.<\/p>\n
It is expected that the accord will reduce the level of
\nviolence and constitute a means to promote the confidence of
\npeople and the two parties in their common efforts to achieve a
\npeaceful settlement to the decades of conflict.<\/p>\n
But citing the sensitivity of the situation and security
\nconcerns, officials declined to reveal detailed arrangements for
\nthe scheduled signing of the note.<\/p>\n
Foreign minister Alwi Shihab is scheduled to personally
\nwitness the signing. A ministry official has said GAM self-exiled
\nleader Hasan Tiro would not be present, but the Stockholm-based
\nrebel leader had "kept a watchful eye" on all three dialogs
\npreceding the signing of the accord.<\/p>\n
The Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre for promoting
\nhumanitarian dialog, which sponsors the historical event, has
\noffered a "fair and impartial environment" to the two parties for
\nthe discussions.<\/p>\n
Despite his support, President Abdurrahman Wahid refused on
\nMonday to call the pact a cease-fire, saying the use of the term
\nwould indicate government recognition of GAM.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security
\nSurjadi Soedirdja reiterated the government's stand in the pact
\nsigning.<\/p>\n
"The signing is literally called a humanitarian pause, there
\nis no other term for it," Surjadi said after attending a
\nministerial meeting at the vice presidential office on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The note of understanding, he said, was merely aimed at
\nallowing Acehnese people "to breathe in fresh air" amid their
\ndaily suffering.<\/p>\n
"During the interval, people can make their lives better, and
\nallow all parties concerned to contemplate. It turns out that
\nlife is enjoyable in the absence of conflict," Surjadi said.<\/p>\n
Such an atmosphere could encourage all parties to follow up on
\ntheir efforts until peace is achieved, he said.<\/p>\n
Many believe the government's move to punish the perpetrators
\nof past atrocities in Aceh contributes to efforts to secure a
\npolitical settlement that will prevent the province from
\nseceding.<\/p>\n
A joint military-civilian court is now trying 24 TNI soldiers
\nand a civilian charged with the premeditated murder of Islamic
\nteacher Tengku Bantaqiah last year. Another four human rights
\nabuse cases are in the pipeline.<\/p>\n
Surjadi underlined Abdurrahman's refusal to call the signing
\nof the joint understanding a cease-fire, and warned that the
\ngovernment would undertake "every possible means" to keep Aceh
\npart of the country if the accord failed.<\/p>\n
"The memorandum of understanding is just a means. If it
\nfalters, we will take them on again. It is only natural to make
\nsure that Aceh will not break away," he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, GAM's representative to the signing, Zaini, said a
\ncease-fire would last for three months and begin 15 days after
\nthe signing of the memorandum, which was written by the two sides
\nduring secret meetings that began in February.<\/p>\n
"Such a truce would be very important for the Acehnese because
\nwe don't want fighting any more," Zaini told AP in a telephone
\ninterview from Stockholm, where he is based, before flying to
\nGeneva for the talks.<\/p>\n
But he added that while the rebels would abide by such a
\ncease-fire agreement they would not drop their ultimate demand
\nfor independence.<\/p>\n
Discontent in Aceh has been exacerbated by widespread human
\nrights violations by members of the Indonesian Military and
\nunfair revenue sharing from exploitation of the region's natural
\nresources. (prb)<\/p>",
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