Aceh peace talks put at risk as violence rages on

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

Activists on Thursday cast doubts over the upcoming Aceh peace talks, as violence continued unabated with neither the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) nor the government willing to back down from preconditions to move into a dialog.

Next month's all-inclusive dialog is expected to mark a breakthrough in ending nearly three decades of violence in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province by getting the two warring sides to speak.

But worsening security conditions had set back chances of a successful meeting, the activists said.

A lecturer at Aceh's State Syiah Kuala University, Takwaddin, said people feared that the dialog would fail just like others did before.

"They've held eight dialogs before and all have come to nothing because of the violence," he said.

The Geneva-based Henry Dunant Center will mediate the dialog, which will serve as an alternative to the ongoing peace talks the Center sponsors.

A source close to the dialog's preparation process said the worsening security conditions could block the dialog from taking place at all.

The source said that Henry Dunant officials canceled two preliminary meetings, the last one of which was slated for June 21. "They've never given any clear reasons for canceling the meetings."

In another sign of uncertainty, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said GAM had yet to accept Indonesia's pre-conditions for the dialog.

The government insists further talks with GAM would only be possible under the framework of a unitary state of Indonesia and GAM agreeing to a proposed special autonomy package.

"Important for Indonesia is that GAM is serious about accepting the special autonomy and ceasing its armed resistance. The rest is negotiable, that's the point," Susilo said after attending a Cabinet meeting with the President.

GAM has been fighting for Aceh's complete independence since 1976. More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have since died because of the conflict.

Criticism against the government increased since its comprehensive program to end the conflict not only failed but worsened the situation in Aceh.

Under the program launched in January, the military has built up its presence in the province and reactivated the Iskandar Muda Military Command. The death toll for 2002 so far is more than 400.

On Tuesday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu asked House of Representatives legislators to support the ongoing military operation in Aceh despite an upsurge of casualties.

Analysts have said the military was part of the problem instead of the solution and were blocking efforts to break the circle of violence.

However they said there was little incentive for Jakarta to push ahead with negotiations amid signs that GAM's forces were weakening.

Outside of Indonesia, few countries support an independent Aceh state as GAM demands. Most have urged GAM to accept the government's special autonomy status.

Earlier reports have shown GAM negotiators leaning toward acceptance of the offer but as yet nothing concrete has been done.

To save the dialog from collapsing, Chairman of the Aceh Referendum Center of Information (SIRA), Mohammad Nazar called for a cease fire ahead of the all-inclusive dialog.

"It will help if the government and GAM first discuss the dialog mechanism first, including the safety guarantee for the participants," he said.

Nazar reminded the government not to arrest any GAM negotiator who rejects the special autonomy offer.