Aceh peace talks delayed, agreement set for next week
Aceh peace talks delayed, agreement set for next week
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The planned dialog between the Indonesian government and the Free
Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist group has been postponed, but
Jakarta expects a new peace deal could be approved before the
Ramadhan fasting month begins next week.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Monday that the talks had been
postponed because GAM had asked for more time to discuss the
draft of cessation of hostilities with ulemas.
"The government had expected that the peace deal could be
signed late this week, but GAM asked for more time. We hope that
it will take place before the beginning of the fasting month,"
Susilo said.
Ramadhan looks to begin on Nov. 6, pending a decision from the
Ministry of Religious Affairs after consulting Muslim
organizations.
"We hope that by Ramadhan peace will prevail in the province
in accordance with the wishes of the Acehnese," Susilo said.
The cessation of hostilities stipulates the formation of a
joint monitoring team to ensure the agreement is upheld. The team
will consist of independent observers, including foreigners, who
are authorized to determine which side violates the peace accord.
A cease-fire was attempted under a "humanitarian pause" in
2000, but it failed as the period was used by both sides to
consolidate troops across the restive province.
Like previous dialogs, the upcoming peace talks will be
facilitated by a Switzerland based non-governmental organization,
the Henry Dunant Center (HDC).
Susilo said the two sides were of the same opinion that the
monitoring team would incorporate different parties.
"Government, members of GAM and HDC will have representatives
on the monitoring team," Susilo said.
He added that the following peace talks after next week's
negotiation would be conducted in Indonesia under an all-
inclusive dialog aimed at seeking a comprehensive settlement to
Aceh's problems.
GAM's decades-long fight for an independent state is
considered by many to be a result of Jakarta's failure to meet
demands for welfare and justice in the natural resource-rich
province dating back to the tenure of founding president Sukarno.
Thousands of civilians have been killed during armed conflict
between security forces and rebels.
Separately in Banda Aceh, Iskandar Muda Military Commander
Maj. Gen. Djali Yusuf claimed that security in the province was
improving, with only minor disturbances occurring once in a
while.
"We hope the coming dialog will bear better fruit than the
previous dialogs and will be able to bring about order in the
province," Djali said as quoted by Antara.
He asserted that the Indonesian Military would continue daily
operations to secure people's activities in Aceh.