Civil emergency status the last resort: Widodo

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)