Aceh deserves a rational settlement

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