Donors urge govt, GAM to respect peace accord

Donors urge govt, GAM to respect peace accord

Tiarma Siboro and Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Donor countries pressed Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement
(GAM) Thursday to pursue peaceful solutions to the Aceh question
while stressing that any settlement should be within the
framework of territorial integrity of Indonesia.

Japan, the United States, the European Union and the World
Bank, all co-chairs of the Tokyo Preparatory Conference on Peace
and Reconstruction in Aceh, called on Indonesia and GAM to
develop mutual confidence and restrain from activities that could
jeopardize the peace process in the province.

"We call upon all sides to refrain from provocation and
violence and, in particular, to cease political acts that violate
the objectives and principles of the Cessation of Hostilities
Agreement (COHA)," they said in a press statement made available
to The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

They also expressed hope that both Indonesia and GAM could
begin the demilitarization process soon, as it would be a
critically important step in the implementation of the COHA
signed by both parties in Geneva in December last year.

"We call on GAM to carry out the placement of weapons as
planned and hope that this step, together with the phased
relocation of Indonesian armed forces in the field, will further
strengthen the implementation of the COHA," the donors said.

GAM was supposed to start stowing away their weapons on Feb.
9, but has not done so as the Indonesian military (TNI) has yet
to withdraw to defensive positions as stipulated in the peace
agreement.

The donors also reiterated their commitment to provide
reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in the conflict-torn
province as it was believed that "one of the greatest potentials
for sustaining the peace is in community development programs."

The donor countries have begun several short-term aid
activities in the province including the distribution of food
aid, health care and education.

Separately in Jakarta, Coordinating Minister for Political and
Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the
government would likely reevaluate the current peace process in
Aceh should "the situation change dramatically."

Speaking to reporters after holding a limited ministerial
meeting on political and security issues, Susilo expressed
wariness about whether "the peace solution in Aceh would end up
as the country had wanted it."

He was referring to several clashes that erupted recently in
the province.

Meanwhile, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said in
Lhokseumawe, Aceh on Thursday that the Army would deploy more
troops in a bid to strengthen the current military command in the
province, saying that "the deployment is crucial as the Iskandar
Muda military command has a shortage of personnel."

He said the Iskandar Muda military command comprised three
battalions, of which only one had as many as 500 personnel. The
ideal number of personnel for each battalion was 700, Ryamizard
continued.

Ryamizard, along with 75 other top Army officers, are in
Lhokseumawe, Aceh, to hold a three-day leadership meeting
expected to end on Friday.

The meeting has raised fears that it would affect the peace
process, but Susilo defended the meeting on Thursday, saying:
"The Army supports the government's efforts to the promote peace
process, and such a meeting is also aimed at making preparations
if the process fails to meet our expectations."