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.