Why, talk with GAM again?<\/p>\n
While listening to a recent news broadcast on the Metro TV
\nstation, I was very surprised to hear that the government was
\npreparing to renew its talks in Helsinki with the Acehnese
\nseparatist rebels, probably by the end of this month. Also, I
\ncannot help wondering why our government does not learn from past
\nbitter experience when dealing with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).<\/p>\n
Already scores of talks have been held before, some with the
\nhelp of foreign organizations to solve this domestic problem. But
\nif the government is firm in their plan to talk again, with 100
\npercent chance of failure, then I would like to ask the
\ngovernment to pay some attention to the following matters.
\n* The talks should be held only after GAM has signed a
\ndeclaration that Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) is part of the
\nRepublic of Indonesia, proclaimed on Aug. 17, 1945 and that they
\npublicly withdraw their independence proclamation for NAD that
\nthey made on Dec. 4, 1976 at Bukit Cokan. If not, there is no
\npoint in having any more talks with GAM.
\n* Talks with fellow-Indonesians should be held in Indonesia and
\nnot abroad, because this is a purely domestic affair and there is
\nenough room in Indonesia for negotiations, and the government is
\ngoing to be talking with Indonesians. The problem of NAD is a
\ndomestic affair, and as such the government should not take the
\nsettlement of the conflict in that area into the international
\narena. (As President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was reported as
\nsaying in Media Indonesia on Feb. 7).
\n* The so-called GAM leaders abroad, who are ashamed to be
\nIndonesian and preferred to become foreigners, should be barred
\nfrom these talks. Their actions in become foreigners is an insult
\nto Indonesia.
\n* Indonesia should avoid appointing a "heavy weight" delegation.
\nA delegation comprising senior rank officers from the Ministry of
\nDomestic Affairs would serve the purpose. No ministers should be
\ninvolved.
\n* The main agenda then should be "how to rebuild NAD and other
\naffected areas (like North Sumatra) after the tsunami disaster".
\nOur government should maintain its legal and honorable position.
\nGAM must feel that they do not have the same status as members of
\nthe Indonesian delegation. Please note, previous governments have
\nnever treated rebels like ministers of a sovereign foreign
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/why-talk-with-gam-again-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }