Acehnese waiting for justice: Mustafa

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): A noted Acehnese figure has urged the government to prosecute military perpetrators of murder and abuse during the terrifying years of violence and repression in Aceh as one of the prerequisites for resolving the Aceh problem.

Mustafa Abdullah, deputy chairman of the United Development Party's (PPP) branch office which achieved a landslide victory in the strife-torn province during the 1999 general election, said that taking the guilty parties to court constituted an act most desired by the Acehnese.

The trials of Indonesian Military (TNI) generals for human rights violations should be followed by the implementation of democratic values, he said.

"I think these trials are the most crucial step Megawati must take for the sake of proving her seriousness in this matter," Mustafa told The Jakarta Post while discussing President Megawati Soekarnoputri's plan to visit the province.

The President was originally planned to begin her trip to Aceh on Sunday, but the visit was postponed until later next week. The President's itinerary and length of stay in the province is still uncertain.

The Aceh people have little faith in the government, Mustafa said, adding that what they want now is for all the promises made by the country's leaders to be honored.

"Many promises have been made by the government, but not a single one of them has been fulfilled so far... therefore, it's understandable that the majority of the Acehnese people no longer have any faith in Jakarta," he said.

The dishonored promises have also made it difficult for officials of the local administration and members of the provincial legislative council to communicate with local people, he said.

Honoring promises has to be followed by an improvement in the people's welfare, including the prioritizing of good education, Mustafa said.

Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) head Muhammad Nazar shared Mustafa's belief, saying that honoring the promises, democratization and trials of human rights violators are the most important measures Megawati has to implement if she intends to visit Aceh.

Commenting on the prosecution of human rights violators, Nazar said that, it is not only the key to resolving the Aceh problem, but "constitutes an obligation from a country that claims to be founded on law and democracy".

"Megawati also has to clarify the integration of Aceh into the unitary state of Indonesia in a bid to correct history. Ask what the Aceh people want, whether they will join the Republic of Indonesia or not. The way ... is through a referendum," Nazar said.

He further said that Megawati's visit to Aceh would be ineffective due to the absence of both a clear agenda and who would represent the Acehnese people.

A dialog, boasted to involve all elements of the community, including the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), is also doubtful as there has been no clear explanation about who will represent them, he said.

"I'm afraid that the government just intends to go to Aceh for the dialog with the ultimate goal of being forced to use the military approach because its offer is turned down," Nazar said.

One of GAM's senior field commanders, Amri Abdul Wahab, said that Megawati's planned visit would be similar to those conducted by her predecessors.

"It will only cheat the local people again. It will even be used as an excuse to increase troop deployment," he said.

"The dialog could be successful if it is held in a formal forum between the government and GAM under the auspices of foreign observers," he said.

If Megawati insists on visiting Aceh "we will not disturb her as long as her visit does not disturb us," Amri said, adding that if the military antagonized locals and pursued GAM members, they would defend themselves.

Several days ahead of the visit, security has been tightened, especially around major roads and vital installations. Despite the security drive, however, violence has not subsided.

At least 10 people, including two GAM members, were killed in isolated clashes during Wednesday and Thursday.

The two GAM members were reported to be killed in a clash with military troops at Singgah Mata village in Baktya district, North Aceh, TNI spokesman Lt. Col. Firdaus said.

GAM spokesman Sofyan Daud admitted that the two victims were GAM members, but he disclosed that more soldiers were also killed in the clash, a claim denied by Firdaus. (50/hhr)