Acehnese refugees place hope in peace talks
Acehnese refugees place hope in peace talks
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan
Acehnese displaced by the tsunami are closely watching the
progress of a new round of peace talks between the government and
the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Finland.
Most of the displaced Acehnese living in shelter in Medan
believe the separatists want only one thing: to separate from
Indonesia.
"I will stay here forever if Aceh separates from the country,"
said 28-year-old Wanda, who fled her home in Aceh Jaya regency in
the wake of the Dec. 26 tsunami and is now living in a shelter
managed by the Aceh Sepakat Association.
She fears what would happen if the province was given its
independence, painting a picture of endless conflict as different
Acehnese groups fought for power.
Wanda said Acehnese were often used as human shields by GAM
rebels, but she also accused the Indonesian Military (TNI) of
inflicting violence on the people of Aceh.
"We wish TNI and GAM would work together and protect the
people because we have suffered enough," said Wanda, who has been
in Medan since Jan. 7.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said earlier the Indonesian
government would discuss "special autonomy and related topics" in
Aceh, where 12,000 people have been killed in three decades of
fighting.
The autonomy deal on offer reportedly includes concessions
toward self-rule and Islamic law in the devout Muslim province,
and a larger slice of the revenue earned by the province's
natural resources.
A displaced person from Banda Aceh, Minandar, 56, is hopeful
that this new round of talks in Finland will result in peace.
He said he was tired of hearing on an almost daily basis
gunfights between the military or the police and rebels.
"This is a normal occurrence for us in Banda Aceh. At first
we were terrified, but not anymore," said Minandar, who is still
suffering breathing problems as a result of being caught up in
the tsunami.
However, he said he would return to Aceh as soon as his health
allowed him, insisting he was not frightened by the violence.
"Aceh is my home. No matter what the situation, I must go home
to Aceh. I would be sad if Aceh was forever battered by conflict.
I hope it will end soon," said Minandar.
Another displaced person from Banda Aceh, Firus, also
expressed hope the conflict in Aceh would end soon. He said GAM
should consider the government's offer of special autonomy, and
that the government should in turn commit itself to honoring its
pledges to Aceh.
"Aceh must rise (from the destruction and conflict). We need
peace. Without peace it will be impossible for Aceh to recover
and stand on its feet again," he said.