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