Details to be ironed out for Aceh peace agreement
Haris Azhar, Jakarta
The peace deal between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) deserves a positive response because its main agenda is to restore the lost peace in Aceh, a region that has undergone many phases of violence before it was hit by the killer tsunami. It is only proper, then, that much hope is pinned on the formulation and the substance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) draft, agreed in Helsinki on July 15.
Although the content of the MoU will not be revealed to the public until Indonesia and GAM formally sign the agreement on Aug. 15, it is clear that it contains matters of principles and not a detailed plan. This means two prerequisites for a lasting peace become necessary.
The action on the ground -- the planned withdrawal of troops and the disarmament of GAM -- must be worked out in the next round of talks after the signing of the Aug. 15 agreement. These details must be formulated by a special team, which will include monitoring groups from the European Union and ASEAN.
And even before this, there must be action taken to ensure the security situation is safe enough for GAM and the government to begin drawing up and implementing the agreement.
Unfortunately, the situation in Aceh is still far from peaceful and political and military elements there and in Jakarta could easily stir up a deal-breaking conflict.
Since the lifting of Aceh's civil emergency status on May 19 and during the peace negotiations, Acehnese civilians have been the victims of violent acts and involved in armed clashes with the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police and GAM. "GAM" is still too often used as a label to stigmatize innocent Acehnese civilians.
In Jakarta, meanwhile, many legislators do not agree to the government negotiating with GAM.
However, there is growing public support for the government and GAM committing to bring about lasting peace in Aceh, which is increasing as the signing of the MoU draws nearer.
Rebuilding the public trust lost when the two parties violated a previous accord is certainly important. During president Megawati's administration, the CoHA or the Cessation of Hostilities agreement collapsed not long after it was signed in 2002. This time it is even more necessary to win the hearts and minds of the Acehnese in a non-violent manner in order to bring about lasting peace.
Prior to the signing of peace agreement, each party should cease all violence and must guarantee to protect civilians while reducing other non-violent military activities.
The government also needs to convince those against the planned agreement that it is the best way to end the prolonged suffering of the Acehnese people. The government must seek an agreement from legislators, those in the military and the National Police.
The evolving situation during the four weeks before the signing of the MoU will be useful in predicting whether the agreement will really bring about peace in Aceh.
It will also be a good time to practice implementing the new peace plan for the area. A learning period would make the Acehnese more relaxed after the Aug. 15 deal. Members of the TNI, National Police and GAM must all make use of this time.
When these groups and the Acehnese community are confident about the plan, these parties will better understand their roles as agents of peace and justice for Aceh.
It is the obligation of all parties that could create violence in Aceh, to ensure that these four weeks prior to the signing of the MoU are peaceful. This obligation is effectively an extension of the job began by the peace negotiators during the past six months. Peace in Aceh is not a dream; it is a must.
The writer is the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence head of studies and documentation. He can be reached at haris_azhar@yahoo.com.