Do we need foreign intervention?

In the article titled Govt backs envoy's meeting with GAM on page 2 of The Jakarta Post in its April 10 issue, the foreign minister said the government agreed to the meeting because the United States supported Indonesia's territorial integrity. The Indonesian government did not only agree, but backed the meeting. I presume national pride is not a factor to be considered. Indonesia is a sovereign country in name only as foreigners can intervene (in its internal affairs) and they are backed by the government because there is nothing else the country can do. I can feel the sorrow of the freedom fighters, veterans and retired soldiers who had sacrificed everything for the country to gain independence and then maintain it.

The foreign minister should realize that the meeting between GAM (Free Aceh Movement) and the U.S. envoy shows the U.S. tacitly recognizes the inability of the Indonesian government to maintain peace and security or handle the rebels. The government chose to have a dialog with the rebels although it knows GAM rebels talk sweetly but will go their own way as they know the government has no courage.

In 1948, while Indonesia was still fighting for international recognition of its freedom, the communist began rebelling against the government in Madiun, East Java. There were no plans then for a dialog with the communists. The Siliwangi Division was sent to quell the rebellion and it succeeded.

The Netherlands offered to help fight the communist, but the then prime minister, the late Dr. Hatta, declined it as he rather Indonesia settle the problem on its own.

Does the government not realize that GAM had promised so many things, but are acting as if no agreement has been reached. GAM has blamed the violence on unknown armed groups. They are ready to fight because that is their job.

On the other hand, there is no order to fight the rebellion.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta