Aceh's agony

Aceh's agony

The process of bringing an enduring peace to Indonesias province of Aceh has suffered a setback with the cancellation of talks between Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

If the two sides do not resume negotiations and soon there could be renewed fighting between GAM rebels and the Indonesian military.

This would be tragic since the talks in Geneva had raised hopes that the conflict in Aceh, which began in 1975 when GAM launched its secessionist campaign, would finally end to bring peace to Aceh and its people. Many Acehnese, and Indonesian soldiers too, have died in the fighting and obviously many more will lose their lives if the insurrection is resumed.

Given the grave consequences, the reason for the cancellation is surprising. The talks were called off because GAM wanted the start postponed from Friday to Sunday, but Jakarta withdrew in protest. Once this blows over, both sides must settle down and get the talks moving again.

Jakarta and GAM began the peace process by signing a deal to cease hostilities in December last year. The road to a lasting peace was not expected to be easy, given the deep suspicions and hostility on both sides. But the fact that they had agreed to stop fighting and meet to find a peaceful solution gave much room for optimism.

There is hope for peace as long as the two sides are talking because the agreement on stopping hostilities holds. That is why it is vital that the two sides go back to the negotiating table before the ceasefire breaks down.

-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur