Government blamed for separatist movements

Government blamed for separatist movements

JAKARTA (JP): Separatist movements in some parts of the
country, including Aceh, have been -- historically -- the result
of the government's failure to realize the goal of the nation to
be free, noted historian Anhar Gonggong said on Wednesday.

"Aceh has been suffering from various 'illnesses' since the
Dutch Colonial era. The Acehnese have been bullied for too long,"
he told media at his office.

"The only way to deal with the situation is to speed up the
rehabilitation, compensation for the (human rights violations)
victims and stop the violence," Anhar, who is also Director for
History and Museum at the Ministry of National Education, said.

"Give Aceh a free space within this unitary state. Let the
Acehnese exercise Syariah Islam (Islamic law). At the same time
give freedom to Aceh residents who are non-Muslims," he said.

He said he recently told a gathering of Acehnese that there
was no guarantee that if Aceh went free, the conflicts would end.

"History also recorded that (former president) Soeharto, who
practiced a political and economic system of ignoring culture and
traditional values, had torn down the traditional system by
issuing Law No. 5/1974 on state administration."

"The law has terminated all roles of traditional leadership
and the result is that we find it difficult to resolve unrest in
Aceh, Irian Jaya and other parts of the country. There are no
informal or traditional leaders to look to," he said.

The adoration of the Aceh Separatists Movement (GAM) patron
Hassan di Tiro as well as GAM armed wing leaders was the
manifestation of cumulative disappointment with the government,
Anhar cited.

Anhar, however, expressed his confidence that Aceh and Irian
Jaya would remain in the republic.

In the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh some 50 students of the Ar-
Raniry Darussalam State Institute for Islamic Studies rallied in
front of the Aceh Police Headquarters on Wednesday, demanding
that police immediately release activist Muhammad Nazar.

The protesters failed to meet Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen.
Chaerul R. Rasyidi, who was out of town.

Nazar, the chairman of the Information Center of Aceh
Referendum (SIRA), has been detained since Nov. 20 for creating
public disorder during the commemoration of the Indonesian
Independence day on Aug. 17. SIRA members displayed banners
calling Indonesia "Neo Colonialist".

Meanwhile, violence continued in many areas of the restive
province on Wednesday.

In Matang Geleumpang Dua in Bireun regency, police Second Pvt.
John Heriadi was shot dead by GAM militiamen. North Aceh Police
chief Supt. Abadan Bangko confirmed the incident, saying that
John and Second. Pvt. Ichsan were on motorcycle patrol when GAM
rebels shot them at 2 a.m. local time, Wednesday. "Ichsan was
severely injured."

In Idie Rayeuk, East Aceh, Army Second Sgt. Amin Nur was shot
by two gunmen who came to his shop late Tuesday night. "He is now
being treated in a hospital in Medan, North Sumatra," Dr. Zuli
Abdulrachman of the local health center, said.

Also in East Aceh, a 36-year-old civilian, identified as Erwin
was shot dead by unknown men who approached him at a bus shelter
in the village of Sungai Raya, in Rantau Selamat district
late Tuesday night. (50/edt/lup/sur)