Aceh peace on brink of breakdown: Wiryono

Ridwan Max Sijabat and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh

More than two months ago the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) at the Henry Dunant Centre (HDC) in Geneva, Switzerland, but the situation in Aceh remains uncertain apparently because of the absence of a strong commitment on the part of the conflicting sides to comply with the peace accord.

The two sides have not been able to work effectively to build mutual trust but, conversely, have blamed one another for the frequent violations of the cease-fire they signed on Dec. 9, 2002.

HDC and the Joint Security Committee (JSC) overseeing the implementation of the truce appear powerless in facing the frequent truce violations.

According to COHA, JSC, a tripartite body representing Indonesia, GAM and HDC, has investigative and prosecution authority but, so far, it has just announced that GAM has committed two very serious violations and security authorities have committed a minor violation. No measures have been taken against those violating the truce.

Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, Indonesia's chief negotiator in the peace talks with GAM, warned that the peace process was really under threat because GAM has frequently breached the COHA and the Acehnese people have remained silent over the rampant truce violations.

"I don't say that peace has collapsed but that the peace process is on the brink of total breakdown. The peace process will be thrown into disarray unless all sides return to the right track.

"I can't imagine what will happen should this happen... We can no longer be policymakers and Aceh will enter a second but more brutal war that could claim many more lives," he told The Jakarta Post by telephone on Saturday.

Top security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also gave a similar warning upon his arrival here on Wednesday from a three- day visit to Aceh.

More than 12,000 people have been killed since the Acehnese people took up arms in 1976 in their resistance to the government's repressive policy in the province during the New Order era.

Wiryono, also former Indonesian ambassador to Australia, regretted that in entering the crucial demilitarization period, GAM has been active. Instead of laying down its arms it has violating the truce, including campaigning for independence.

"I am surprised that neither the HDC nor the Acehnese people have done anything in reaction to the rampant truce violations committed by GAM. HDC and JSC have failed to take strong actions against those violating the truce. The Acehnese people, including non-governmental organizations, local administrations and security authorities should go on strike to protest the truce violations committed by GAM," he said.

GAM should be given moral sanctions for its violations to pressure them to stick to the peace agreement, he added.

Wiryono called on GAM not to make rhetorical statements in an attempt to deceive the Acehnese people and the government. "GAM should start disarming its rebels and stop extorting the Acehnese people and campaigning for independence if it is committed to salvage the peace agreement, because these actions are against the peace accord," he said.

He said it was critical that both sides implement COHA without interpretation.

Quoting COHA, Wiryono said GAM now should start to lay down its arms in places known to the HDC while combat forces both from the military and the Mobile Brigade must pull out from the strike front to avoid confrontation with rebels.

In a later part of the process, Police Mobile Brigade personnel will be trained to be ordinary police and the number of soldiers will be gradually scaled down in accordance with the actual need of the province from the current 24,000.

"Now, demilitarization must be implemented to make the truce effective. With the truce, the Acehnese people will enjoy peace and they will be able to freely hold the all-inclusive dialog to discuss a comprehensive solution to the Aceh issue, including the planned formation of a democratic government and implementation of special autonomy in the province," said Wiryono.

A JSC meeting to prepare the mechanism for demilitarization ended in deadlock in Banda Aceh on Saturday as both GAM and Indonesia representatives opposed the committee's plan to announce serious new violations committed by both sides.