Ex-rebels to play role in Aceh reconstruction

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government will involve former members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in the reconstruction of the province following the signing of a peace agreement in Helsinki next week.

"Our government needs to make sure they have enough jobs. They need land to feed their families. We need to help them build houses ... this is the most important thing," Vice President Jusuf Kalla told Associated Press late on Wednesday.

He said that a lasting peace would depend on the government's ability to integrate former combatants into society.

The Indonesian government and GAM are bracing for the historic peace agreement, which covers, among other things, reinstatement of civil and political rights of GAM members and their integration into society.

On Thursday, Kalla held talks with State Minister for National Development Planning Sri Mulyani Indrawati and head of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh and Nias (BRR) Kuntoro Mangkusubroto.

Kuntoro said that his office was preparing for the massive program.

"We are preparing it, but it's general. We have yet to determine the details," he told reporters after the meeting at the vice presidential office.

Set up by the government, BRR is a special agency tasked with coordinating the rehabilitation and reconstruction of tsunami-hit Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and Nias island for the next five years. Aceh was hardest hit by the Dec. 26 killer waves.

The agency will manage some Rp 46.1 trillion (US$4.8 billion) in reconstruction funds during its term. It is responsible for awarding tenders to the private sector for reconstruction work and for dealing with foreign donors and agencies.

Answering directly to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, BRR will implement a blueprint for the reconstruction of Aceh and Nias drawn up by the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).

GAM claimed to have 10,000 members before martial law was imposed to enable a major offensive to crush the long-standing rebellion in Aceh in May 2003. The military estimates the figure has been reduced to only 3,000.

Many rebels surrendered during the imposition of martial law and were given jobs and capital after undergoing a military-run civic course.

Kuntoro said there were projects to construct roads, sea ports, houses, schools, public health centers and others on offer.

Since the tsunami, 3,500 houses have been built in Aceh, including 500 in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh.

Some of the projects, particularly those using state funds, are handled by government agencies, while others are the responsibility of foreign agencies and donors.

Separately, the House of Representative announced a plan to set up a team to monitor the implementation of the peace agreement.

House Speaker Agung Laksono said the team, consisting of 22 legislators, would begin work after the signing of the truce on Monday, Antara reported.

Deputy speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, who is also a member of the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is expected to lead the team.