GAM and violence
In Kompas on Jan. 12, 2001 I read on page 12 that according to the President's spokesman Yahya Staquf the government has achieved positive success in managing to persuade GAM to stop using violent methods to pursue their own goals. The spokesman also declares that the international world is on the government's side. What a laugh!
On the same day The Jakarta Post on its front page reported that troops in Aceh have been told to retaliate against GAM, because they have ambushed troops of the army strategic reserves command (Kostrad) who were on a civic mission to conduct humanitarian operations helping the Aceh people in the flooded area. This happened in Peureulak, East Aceh. Two soldiers were killed and several others wounded. The Kostrad commander clearly ordered that his troops should retaliate and destroy them and to show them no mercy.
How can the government claim success in convincing GAM not to use violent methods? The government statements are clearly a result of not knowing exactly what is happening in Aceh and also an attempt to discredit the military. I feel the hatred and biased attitude of the community is clearly expressed by the article in the Post if we read what Juwono Sudarsono said. He said clearly: "We should control our security forces so that there won't be any troops who will violate the truce". He does not mention a single word about the possibility of GAM violating the truce.
In the mind of Sudarsono, GAM can do no wrong. This statement reminds me of Agus Wandi of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) in Aceh who stated that the biggest producers of violence in Aceh are the police and military. The use of the word "producers" is a clear indication of the sentiments of the Aceh people against the government's forces. And it is very saddening that the government makes no comment to rectify these kinds of statements.
Why does Juwono Sudarsono not mention the violation of GAM which resulted in the death and casualties of Kostrad troops, while at the same time the government claims their success in convincing the GAM not to use violence?
If the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is silent in this affair it can be understood, because their standpoint is clear, that violations can only be conducted by government forces and what the GAM is doing is right. Never has Komnas HAM offered comments or has it ever had the courage to criticize the GAM. But if government forces make one wrong step, however small, then it is considered a violation of human rights.
Some time ago I wrote that soldiers are human beings with emotions and feelings. A proverb says that even an ant if stepped on will retaliate. So far, the soldiers are still silent and have given no comments. This is the very first time the Kostrad have reacted "violently" by giving orders to shoot back, a courageous appeal which should be supported by all law abiding organizations. Let this be a lesson to all.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta