Acehnese don't need war but good governance, justice: ICG

Acehnese don't need war but good governance, justice: ICG

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Instead of launching a military operation in Aceh, the government
must establish good governance in the strife-torn province to win
the hearts of the long-suffering Acehnese people and build
lasting peace as well, says an independent report.

According to a recent report by the Brussels-based
International Crisis Group (ICG), many Acehnese support
independence for the province "out of a strong and genuine
belief, not because they are under pressure from the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM)."

"The Indonesian government cannot make that sentiment go away
simply by declaring it (GAM) illegal or sending more troops to
fight GAM soldiers. Unless and until it can win Acehnese loyalty,
including by addressing seriously the issues of justice, pro-
independence feeling will remain high -- and military operations
may only reinforce it," it said.

The bloody conflict in the resource-rich province started in
1976 when GAM began taking up arms to fight against the
government which it said had deceived the people and had not
brought justice to the province.

"The only way to reduce support for independence is for the
government to offer something better. Thus far, it has not.
Whatever economic benefits that special autonomy for Aceh was
supposed to offer seem to be disappearing into the pockets of
unscrupulous officials and contractors," it said.

The government granted Aceh special autonomy in August 2001
through Law No. 18/2001. The autonomy was expected to improve the
Acehnese people's welfare.

"Unfortunately, money channeled through the local government
seems to disappear into thin air. Autonomy is no incentive to
drop support for independence unless it delivers visible
benefit", the report asserted.

Recently, a group of local non-governmental organizations in
Aceh demanded that the government dismiss Governor Abdullah
Puteh, who is widely believed to be corrupt. Puteh has denied the
accusation.

"Good governance is not going to matter to the GAM leadership
or dampen its political aspirations. But if ordinary Acehnese
who now support independence could be convinced that there was
hope of a reasonable improvement in their lives under Indonesian
sovereignty, they might be interested," said the report.

According to the report the government has another three
policy options other than marginalizing GAM. The government may
either try to go back to negotiations with GAM, buy off GAM or
launch a military operations against GAM.

However, the report said that the prospects for negotiations
with GAM were not encouraging because "there is simply no
political incentive or imperative at the moment for GAM to disarm
without a clear quid pro quo from the Indonesia Military (TNI)
and a stake in the future of Aceh."

The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), signed on Dec.
9, last year by both the government and GAM, remains the closest
both parties have ever come to producing a framework for peace,
the report said.

"But it may have to be held in reserve, pending changes in
leadership in one or both of the two sides that might increase
flexibility or breathe new life into a process now mired in
mutual distrust."

The government, ICG said, might also offer an economic
compensation package for GAM in a bid to settle the conflict.

"It is difficult to see how a compensation package by itself
could settle the conflict. Some GAM leaders may be available for
purchase, but most, including the exiled leadership, are not," it
said.

The government allegedly offered several GAM leaders a sum of
money in a bid to settle the conflict. However, Coordinating
Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono rejected the report, saying that GAM leader from Banda
Aceh Sofyan Ibrahim Tiba had asked him for the money. Tiba also
rejected the report.

A military operation may also be launched by the government in
a bid to destroy GAM, ICG said.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has instructed security
personnel last week to prepare for military operations in Aceh.

The operation will probably start on Monday, if GAM refuses to
go back to the negotiating table. The ultimatum was issued after
the government angrily pulled out of a planned Joint Council
meeting after GAM moved the date back to April 27, instead of
April 25 as had previously suggested.

"The majority of Acehnese would prefer a non-military
solution. A military approach alone will not solve this conflict,
the report said.

The Acehnese have suffered the most since the government
imposed a military operation (DOM) status for Aceh in 1989
through 1998. During the operation, many Acehnese men died while
the women were raped. The status was officially lifted by the
government on Aug. 7 1998.

"The threat posed by GAM needs to be addressed, there is no
hiding that fact. But the multifaceted nature of the conflict,
and Aceh's past history, suggests that military action should be
kept to an absolute minimum. Every effort must be made to make
civilian institutions function far better than they do now," the
report said.