Aceh peace talks resume with both sides equally adamant
Aceh peace talks resume with both sides equally adamant
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) resumed peace
talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, but with both sides
sticking to their agendas it remains to be seen if this latest
round of talks can break the deadlock.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Wednesday
any solution to the prolonged conflict in Aceh must be addressed
within the framework of the unitary state of Indonesia and the
special autonomy law for the province.
And GAM negotiators demanded earlier that the military halt
its operations in the troubled province, while insisting that the
group would continue fighting for independence.
In peace talks in February, GAM agreed to use special autonomy
status as the basis for future negotiations.
Hassan said on Wednesday he was optimistic the two sides would
be able to meet halfway in their demands, while emphasizing that
countries such as Sweden and the United States were making
efforts to persuade GAM to accept special autonomy as a final
solution.
"Several countries including Sweden have reiterated their
commitment to support Indonesia's territorial integrity, while
acknowledging special autonomy (for Aceh) as the final solution.
"This same stance has been taken by the United States, which
has also made efforts to bring GAM to the negotiating table and
to accept the special autonomy," Hassan said after a Cabinet
meeting.
When asked about the separatist movement's persistent demand
for independence from Indonesia, Hassan said: "They (GAM) know
that there is no (international) support for Aceh's
independence."
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reaffirmed Hassan's statement, saying he
received a concrete agreement during his recent trip to Sweden
that the international community supported talks aimed at GAM's
acceptance of the special autonomy offered by Indonesia.
Susilo also said that Indonesia would make efforts to hold any
future talks in the country.
"Another agreement we wish to reach is the shifting of the
meetings to Aceh," he said.
Despite of the numerous rounds of peace talks between
Indonesia and GAM, allegations of human rights abuses continue to
come out of the resource-rich province, increasing the distrust
of the Acehnese for the security apparatus there.
More than 10,000 people, most of them civilians, have died
since the struggle to establish an independent state which began
in 1976, with more than 400 having died this year alone.
The Henry Dunant Center-sponsored talks are being attended by
British Lord Avenbury, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East
Anthony Zinny and former Thai foreign affairs minister Pitsuwan.
Indonesia is represented by Wiryono Sastrohandoyo and National
Military Police chief Maj. Gen. Sulaiman A.B.
GAM is represented by Sofyan Ibrahim Tiba, Tgk. Muhammad
Usman, T. Kamaruzzaman, Amni Ahmad Marzuki and Amdi bin Hamdani.