GAM and violence
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