Do not be discouraged

Do not be discouraged

On Aug. 21, 2001, The Jakarta Post reported that the central
government was planning to send a high-powered team to Aceh, led
by the coordinating minister for political and security affairs,
a very experienced and learned retired general. Looking at the
members of the team, which consist of top officials of the
ministries of economy and people's welfare and also a top
military man, shows how serious the government is in trying to
reach a permanent comprehensive settlement of the Aceh affair.

But according to Free Aceh Movement (GAM) spokesman Sofyan
Daud, the minister's visit is touristic and GAM is not prepared
to guarantee the security of the ministers or change the Aceh
people's demand for independence. GAM forgets that this visit is
for the people of Aceh as a whole and not particularly for GAM.

The Post supported the mission wholeheartedly and, as proof,
wrote an editorial on the same day, explaining how big the
Acehnese's contribution was in the past during the fight for
independence. The paper wisely omitted the atrocities and
violations of human rights by the very few members of the
separatist GAM members. The Post instead blamed the central
government which has totally failed to appreciate and reciprocate
the goodwill and loyalty displayed by the people of Aceh.

Jakarta has heaped injustice upon injustice on the Acehnese
and tried to repress dissatisfaction by arms and force.

I personally am very happy with the latest decision of the new
government and I hope that GAM will accept the government's
sincere desire to create law and order in Aceh, and to end the
sufferings of our brothers there.

The climate we need to create is one of peace and tranquility
to establish a real democratic society, politically, socially and
economically. The only road we can follow is, according to my
one-track mind as an ex-military man, honoring the law
consistently and without any exceptions. Another thing which
makes me very happy is that efforts are being made in Indonesia
to create peace and prosperity. This shows that at last the
government realizes that GAM is a purely domestic problem and
that there is no need to invite foreign intervention or hold
talks outside Indonesia. The fact that there is no staff member
in the foreign office included is proof of the revised policy of
our government. I have written several times that GAM is a
domestic problem and as such should be tackled by the Ministry of
Home Affairs and security officials.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta