GAM is untrustworthy

GAM is untrustworthy

From Koran Tempo

The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government, inked in Geneva, Switzerland, some time ago, has allowed free rein to GAM's activities.

Since the signing of the agreement GAM has openly committed some 300 acts of violence in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD). Why have we let it happen? Four months have elapsed and nothing of significance has been achieved.

GAM continues to produce propaganda and carry out political action leading toward separatism and keeps violating the agreement. GAM has yet to keep its promise to store its weapons. The police and military have tried their best to honor the agreement for the sake of peace in NAD while GAM is taking advantage of the situation to hoard weapons and recruit new members.

GAM's actions have angered local people, who long for peace and welfare in Aceh, prompting them to set ablaze the office of the Joint Security Committee (JSC) on March 3, 2003. That occurred because the JSC had not immediately responded to complaints about their safety.

A similar thing occurred on April 6, 2003, when people went to the JSC office in Langsa, Aceh Timur regency, and burnt it to the ground.

It is just like fishing in troubled waters; JSC is considered incapable of stopping GAM's harmful influence and hence it seems as if it was in favor of GAM.

Before the situation gets worse and becomes more widespread, the government should intervene and review the agreement with GAM to prevent more violence.

ISMAIL BAIHAQI, Bekasi, West Java