Aceh deserves a rational settlement
The shots echoing in Aceh signify for many the beginning of the end of reform in the province and a return to the past military operation zone status. Are these tears justified? In my opinion, the democratic movement is not yet doomed. What we are seeing is not a separatist conspiracy, but rather an enormous crisis of confidence and an unforgivable failure by the Armed Forces (ABRI) of all persuasions.
There is no question that the angry and frustrated Acehnese in the nomenclature and the Free Aceh Separatist Movement take satisfaction in the present course of events and try their best to influence them. Representatives of those forces showed their frustrations clearly in the last few weeks by burning down police stations, government offices and even killed some soldiers.
Unfortunately, the central government continued to make a major mistake instead of trading concessions on Acehnese' demands for more balance in judicial, political and economic rights to guarantee national integration. Jakarta has again responded unwisely by flooding Aceh with soldiers to insist on its stubborn discriminatory stand on these issues, thus virtually disregarding the interests of all sides.
No wonder that the mixture of angry and nervous politicians, disappointed intellectuals and the propaganda of the Free Aceh Separatist Movement (plus the fact that efforts of Acehnese leaders to mediate the conflict were too sporadic and inconsistent to make a difference) finally exploded in "Aceh needs a referendum now."
Immediately following the recent Aceh tragedy, none of the major political forces was ready to admit its failures. Gen. Wiranto, in particular, subjected to devastating criticism in the media, tried to put all the blame on the soldiers who brutally beat helpless Acehnese in Lhokseumawe.
Ironically, these angry exchanges were the first hopeful sign that democracy might survive. The unprecedented wave of antigovernment speeches and articles, followed by mass demonstrations in all major Aceh towns, testified clearly to the strength of transparency and helped to keep the situation under a degree of public control.
Now common sense has started slowly replacing bitterness and emotions. Tensions are still very high, but there is hope that each side has drawn the right lessons from the tragedy and will do everything to prevent disaster. Key conditions for a settlement are clear: a compromise between Jakarta and Aceh on the federal government system, a treaty protecting the rights of the minorities, a clearly defined agreement on the status and the future of ABRI in the area and prosecution of those responsible for shootings and atrocities in Aceh during military operations from 1989 up to now.
The central government, Acehnese leaders, the military, the representatives of the Free Aceh Movement and community leaders must convene a peace conference. This conference should produce an agreement that guarantees the absence of the military force in political disputes, the human rights of all inhabitants of Aceh and the authority of all elected bodies.
The position of human right activists in the Aceh conflict is of great importance. Now that the overall situation and condition in Aceh between those who favor referendum and ABRI is very close to equilibrium, every bit of outside pressure should be weighed carefully. There is no other choice for human right activists in Aceh except to encourage parties who are involved in the conflict to look for a compromise settlement. Otherwise, more helpless Acehnese will die in the struggle for their rights.
NASRULLAH DAHLAWY
Lhokseumawe, Aceh