GAM and BRR can build mutual trust by any means

GAM and BRR can build mutual trust by any means

The chairman of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency
for Aceh and Nias (BRR), Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, talked with
Tiarma Siboro on the impact of the signing of the peace agreement
between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The
following is an excerpt from the interview:

Question: Following the signing of the deal, have there been
any significant changes to your policies?

Answer: Actually, there have not been any significant changes
to our policies. But, of course, the signing of the peace
agreement between the government and GAM has given us a security
assurance, which helps us to be more focused on our main tasks
here. As you know, there are so many local and foreign volunteers
who must continue working even after night falls, and if we are
not sure about the security situation, then how we can perform
well in carrying out our tasks.

The BRR has been asked to accommodate former members of GAM in
the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in Aceh. Have you
planned for this?

We will follow up the policy, as it has been outlined in the
memorandum of understanding (MOU). It says that GAM has the right
to propose candidates for staff members of the BRR at all levels.
We are ready to accommodate them because the BRR has an interest
in seeing a successful rehabilitation and reconstruction process.

But, of course, we have already formulated guidelines for the
recruitment process: that the BRR should remain a non-political
agency comprising professionals that promotes transparency while
carrying out its job. We did conduct a study aimed at preparing
our policies to support the peace process in Aceh, and we are now
awaiting direction from Jakarta to help us implement our
policies.

What kind of policies?

As of today, we are yet to go into detail on what our new
policies will be as we are awaiting further direction from
Jakarta or/and dialog with GAM members. What we can do right now
is to prepare applications for GAM members, in case they are
interested in working for the BRR, and we hope that GAM will
respond after Jakarta makes its policy clear on these issues.
But, this agency is a non-political one. We have been set up for
humanitarian reasons.

Will the BRR provide specific training for GAM members?

The BRR has been formed as a streamlined organization but has
giant tasks before it. Now, we already have about 80 professional
staff members, who need no specific training as we recruited them
to work for four years with the organization. And, of course, the
same criteria will also be imposed on the recruitment of former
GAM members. But I believe that the BRR and GAM can forge a
mutual cooperation by all means.

Can the BRR take a role in the rehabilitation process in
villages known to be GAM strongholds?

The BRR has been set up merely to deal with the post-tsunami
rehabilitation and reconstruction process. We are not planning
any course of action for villages known to be GAM strongholds as
we have left that matter to the local authorities. And we
certainly support any concept that the local authorities have for
the rehabilitation of those villages, and also the reintegration
of former GAM members into society.

Can you elaborate further?

If the villages were affected by the tsunami, of course, we
have to take over the rehabilitation and reconstruction process
in those places -- such as rebuilding roads, houses and public
health centers. The BRR must deal with matters that are crucial
to the people, including GAM members, and we will do so because
it is our responsibility, and we will also invite them (GAM
members) to join us.

How would you evaluate the performance of the BRR so far?

I am happy that we can carry out our tasks and have made some
progress. We consider the signing of the peace deal between the
government and GAM a strong indication that we should continue
with our programs. I am sure that we can rapidly implement the
approved project to rebuild Aceh. And I believe that the BRR can
still continue with its mission while waiting for the new policy
from Jakarta in connection with the signing of the peace
agreement in Helsinki.