Civil emergency status the last resort: Widodo

BANDUNG (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) prefers to settle the Aceh problem non-violently, but is ready to safeguard the government's decision to preserve unity at all costs.

TNI commander Gen. Widodo AS reiterated here on Friday that should dialogs to end the prolonged conflict fail, civil emergency status would only be imposed on Aceh as the last option.

"We don't want to impose emergency status on Aceh. It requires very careful consideration," Widodo said after closing the 27th course for military staff and command school.

In a separate interview Army chief of staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said in Jakarta on Friday that the imposition of the emergency status would be part of a commitment to maintain the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.

"If the country sticks to its commitment to maintain the unitary state of the republic, a firm decision, including the imposition of the emergency status for Aceh, must be made," Endriartono said.

"TNI rejects the demands of certain groups for the separation of Aceh from the republic. We have prepared our troops to carry out the state's mission to safeguard the government's decision."

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said earlier that there was no possibility for Aceh or Irian Jaya to be independent as the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia was final.

Both Widodo and Endriartono reiterated that foreign interference in Aceh was totally unwanted.

According to Endriartono, the country should not hesitate to take any steps considered essential to unity and be ready to face any consequence, including pressures from other countries.

Widodo said that the voice of the Information Center for Aceh Referendum (SIRA Rakan) did not reflect the demands of all Aceh people.

SIRA announced from Banda Aceh on Wednesday the results of polling it conducted from Nov. 3 to Nov. 11.

The results showed that 92 percent of the total 2,062,398 respondents had voted for independence, 0.133 percent chose to remain with the republic and 7.847 percent abstained.

"We hope that the government will enter more substantial talks after the second pause ends next July," Endriartono said referring to the ongoing cease-fire between Indonesia and Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

From the military point of view, only a war strategy could end the rebellious guerrilla operations in Aceh conducted by GAM, Endriartono said after installing Lt. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri as new Army deputy chief.

"However, sending troops (to Aceh) must be based on a decision by the President and approved by the House of Representatives.

"The problems in Aceh and Irian Jaya have risen due to injustice and the central government's failure to consider their needs. This should not be resolved by demanding independence."

Rejection

In a related development, legislators rejected on Friday the plan on civil emergency status for Aceh, saying that it would cause deterioration of the already ominous situation in the resource-rich province.

Legislators, Joko Susilo of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Julius Usman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and Ali Yahya of Golkar Party, said that the House of Representatives had yet to discuss the issue.

They regretted the statements by chairmen of House Commissions I and II, Yasril Ananta Baharuddin and Amin Aryoso who urged the imposition of the emergency status.

"We have never met to discuss the Aceh issue. Commission II also has never discussed the issue," said Joko, a member of Commission I for political, security and foreign affairs.

He said Yasril's statement was only a personal view and should not be considered as the commission's stance.

He suspected Yasril had been coopted by hardliners in TNI who preferred security approaches to solve the problems in Aceh.

"However, I believe that the current pause is still the best approach to settle problems in Aceh although it needs improvement," Joko said.

Julius Usman, who is a member of Commission II on legal and domestic affairs, shared his opinion on Amin's remarks, saying; "I regretted his statement."

Julius represented Aceh province in the last year's general election.

He opposed the imposition of the emergency status, which he said would only cause more casualties among innocent civilians.

He posited that if civil emergency status were applied, it would only strengthen the resolve of Aceh people to separate from the country. (02/25/jun/sur)