Aceh talks aimed at cessation of hostility

Aceh talks aimed at cessation of hostility

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh

Hope remains for peace in Aceh as both the Indonesian Military
(TNI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) expressed unprecedented
support for a cease fire ahead of peace talks scheduled for early
next month.

Both sides confirmed on Thursday a commitment to cessation of
hostility and measures to crack down on splinter groups of GAM
who they believed were behind criminal acts and had disrupted
peace in the natural resource-rich province.

"The government has assessed the improving security
conditions, which supports the plan to conduct another round of
dialog as soon as possible," TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto
said after a meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"We expect cooperation from GAM to deal with the splinter
groups, so we can ensure peace. Hopefully they truly accept our
offer," he added.

Endriartono claimed that GAM had accepted Law No. 18/2000 on
special autonomy in Aceh as the starting point for all dialogs in
the future, which means all things to be deliberated upon must
not go against the principle of a unitary state.

TNI had earlier insisted on a tough measure against Aceh
rebels and suggested that the government give GAM until the end
of December to accept the law otherwise they would face a harsh
military crackdown.

In Banda Aceh, GAM spokesman Teuku Kamaruzzaman admitted that
the cease fire was required to establish a peaceful life.

"We will support a cease fire, not because we are cornered but
because we understand that people need to live in peace,"
Kamaruzzaman said.

"Only through a cease fire can we end the continuing human
tragedy in the province, open up the possibility of a dialog and
an end to the conflict once and for all," he remarked.

Kamaruzzaman also confirmed that GAM would recognize the
special autonomy law as a starting point of further dialog as
demanded by the government.

"We accept the law on Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam as the starting
point for further dialogs but parts of the law need changing in
order to accommodate the Acehnese people's political
aspirations," he said.

One of the main changes should allow for a direct
gubernatorial election, according to Kamaruzzaman.

The next round of negotiations between GAM and the government
has been hanging in the balance since July, after Jakarta
reviewed its policy in dealing with separatism in the province.

The GAM separatist movement began in 1976 to address unsettled
problems in Aceh, which stem from injustice and unfair treatment
for people in the province despite their support for the republic
during its initial struggle for independence and contribution in
revenue to the state.

No less than 10,000 people have reportedly been killed during
the long-standing violence in Aceh, including the 10-year
military operation which was lifted in 1998.

During her one-hour tour of an airport in the province on
Wednesday, Megawati pledged to improve security conditions in
Aceh.

The government's top negotiator, Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, has
said that cessation of hostility would be the next target after
GAM accepted the special autonomy law.

The move will lead to an all-inclusive dialog to hear the
aspirations of people in ending the prolonged conflict, but only
within the parameters of Aceh as part of Indonesia.

Kamaruzzaman said that only in peaceful situation would
civilians dare to voice their needs and aspiration, which could
be the answer in the attempt to end the conflict.

Endriartono expressed hopes for better security conditions in
Aceh after GAM agreed to accept the government's proposal to end
hostility.

"It (the condition) gets better after they accept the deal,
hopefully they will not violate the agreements," the four-star
general said.

Separately Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu voiced
support for the government's policy to continue the dialog with
GAM in an attempt to seek a comprehensive solution to the Aceh
problems.

"As only one element involved in this issue, the military
alone will not be able to stop the existing conflict in Aceh
because it (the conflict) has been triggered by many factors,
including economic and social problems.

Previously, Ryamizard was among Indonesian military officers
who insisted on a war against GAM.