Give peace another chance
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.