Diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Sweden are getting

Diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Sweden are getting chilly following the Swedish government's refusal to take measures against Hasan Tiro, the leader of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) who is now a citizen of Sweden.

Many parties have suggested that some retaliatory action must be taken against Sweden. The options are degrading the diplomatic relations or cutting off ties.

Whatever decision is made, the government's policy must support the integrated operations now taking place in Aceh.

It would be improper for the government only to focus on Hasan Tiro. There is no doubt that Hasan Tiro carries much influence with GAM leaders and followers in Indonesia, but taking action against Sweden because of him would be counterproductive for Indonesia. And bringing the matter to the International Court would be time and energy consuming.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the right to discuss diplomatic actions against Sweden, or propose that Hasan Tiro and other GAM leaders be put on the UN list of terrorists. But the government should concentrate more on the integrated operations in Aceh.

These integrated operation must be used by the government to win the hearts of the Acehnese by focusing on humanitarian work.

-- Investor Indonesia, Jakarta

Lest we forget Aceh by dealing with Sweden

The mounting tension between the governments of Indonesia and Sweden over the Aceh case, seems to have reached its pinnacle.

Stockholm's response to Indonesia's demand for action against exiled Acehnese rebel leaders in Sweden was far from what we had expected.

We are bitterly disappointed with Sweden's statement that the country has no legal ground to take action against its citizen, Hasan Tiro, who founded the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in 1976.

On one side of the coin, the Swedish government acknowledges Indonesia's territorial integrity but on the other side, it refuses to take action against its citizens who have become entangled in terrorist activities in Indonesia.

In the context of the "war against terrorism", the Swedish attitude over Indonesia's demand is immensely risky because Stockholm has at least become a fair haven for the terrorists.

For us, the problem of Sweden and Hasan Tiro should not drain our energy, for it is a small part of a bigger problem. The bigger problem we are facing now is how to overcome the Aceh conflict.

The more important job that we have to carry out successfully is the integrated operation, because it is the only way to make the Acehnese realize that they are part of the Indonesian nation.

-- Kompas, Jakarta