Give peace another chance

Goodwill seems to have been quickly laid to rest. Or maybe people's concern was not so sincere to begin with. As if there were not enough death and destruction, less than a fortnight after the tsunamis engulfed Aceh, soldiers and separatist rebels were already killing each other.

Looking back, the initial statements of a cease-fire were a moot point, given that the devastation made it implausible to engage in combat operations on either side.

Nevertheless, it is not too late to hope that the tsunami tragedy can become a catalyst to promote a more passive chapter in the province's troubled history.

The nation's 220 million people were united in their grief when they learned of the scale of the calamity that had befallen Indonesia's westernmost province. Both members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian Military -- whose corps must be in mourning after the loss of hundreds of soldiers and their families stationed in Aceh -- experienced feelings of sorrow.

For once, their grievances could not be directed at each other. They had, in this case, a mutual enemy -- the disaster -- and a common goal -- to alleviate the suffering of survivors and rebuild the province.

At this juncture, it is unimportant who fired the first shot, who was right or which side should be blamed.

Culpability lies in both sides' failure to make peace. Guilty are those who did not at least seek to forge an atmosphere that could facilitate relief operations. At the end of the day, is it not the interests of the Acehnese -- which they both claim to be struggling for -- that should be prioritized?

The claims of both GAM leaders and the Indonesian government, that they wish to work toward a more lasting peace in the wake of the catastrophe, should be welcomed. We can only hope that the stated intent is more than lip service.

Unfortunately, individual statements from the government and GAM have not, so far, been backed by deeds. There has been little indication of new initiatives that would warrant the two sides sitting down to draft any sort of detente.

Diplomatic negotiation is always better than physical confrontation. But to go into talks with the intent of simply getting what one wants, cripples the dialog even before it has begun.

Negotiation is not about "winning" or "losing". It is about compromising for a greater good -- in this case the people of Aceh.

If representatives of the government and GAM meet with the single-mindedness of their intractable positions, then the outcome is doomed. Everyone needs to realize that the tsunami has significantly altered the stakes.

Without suggesting that the government eschew its position on the unitary state, Jakarta must provide more realistic alternatives for GAM to consider, other than the vague parameters of special autonomy.

Similarly, GAM cannot make independence a zero-sum option. It would be a waste of time simply seeking separation from Indonesia.

Finding that middle path requires sacrifice, patience and creativity. It is also important for other elements not to undermine the process, or complicate what little goodwill is left by stoking the fires of insecurity.

There are fears that the talks could be used, by both parties, as a public relations ruse to claim that their good intent to reconcile was rejected by the opposite side. It is a strategy that has been used before, and culminates in the perpetuation of unrest and the heightening of armed skirmishes.

Such a tactic only satisfies the few who profit from the conflict, and have stealthily done just enough to jeopardize hopes for peace.

Despite the billions of dollars being pledged for Aceh's reconstruction, and the thousands of volunteers entering the province to help with relief operations, without a diplomatic resolution the rebuilding of Aceh will only take place in a symbolic fashion.

New buildings may be erected, new infrastructure, put in place; but the hearts of the Acehnese will only be torn further without the repose that a peaceful settlement can bring.