Aceh peace on brink of breakdown: Wiryono

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.