Government may extend humanitarian pause in Aceh
JAKARTA (JP): The government looks likely to sign a three- month extension on a humanitarian pause in Aceh but said it would demand the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) begin talking substantively on settling the problems.
However a final decision on the accord, which expires on Saturday, is likely to be made by President Abudurrahman Wahid himself.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday the government's position is that it is willing to extend the pause as part of a conflict resolution process with the aim of finding a more constructive measure to solve Aceh's problems.
"We can agree to extend the pause on several conditions in the name of finding a constructive way to solve the problem under the concept of a unified state of Indonesia," Susilo told journalists.
Susilo said President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri are still discussing a fair and comprehensive recommendation, along with further arrangements with GAM.
"Tomorrow maybe there will be further talks with GAM on the requirements we requested if we want to extent the pause," Susilo said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said the government expects GAM to start talking about the issues of substance, at least a month after the second phase of the pause, if the government decides to extend it.
"At least in four weeks time we should start to talk about how we are going to settle the issue. We are open to discuss all possibilities but a referendum for freedom is not one of them," Alwi asserted.
Earlier on Thursday, the signatory of the pause Hassan Wirajuda said Jakarta will be ready to provide all kinds of "possibilities" for GAM to reach a political solution for Aceh.
"There is a lot we can offer them but freedom is definitely not one of them," Hassan said without elaborating.
Excuses
Meanwhile in Aceh, GAM spokesman Tengku Maad Muda warned the government against making too many excuses on the question of extending the humanitarian pause.
"RI (Republic of Indonesia) better not make too many justifications by saying that GAM violated the truce and committed loads of violence while security authorities also conducted similar wrongdoings," Maad said in the Pidie regency on Friday.
Maad was referring to earlier remarks from Alwi Shihab and Hassan Wirajuda about GAM breaching the ground rules of the humanitarian pause.
"For us, it's okay if the truce is terminated or prolonged. Let a neutral, international observer like the Henry Dunant Center give their judgment," Maad added.
Meanwhile, the Pidie regency was paralyzed on Friday as most people stayed home or gathered in mosques following a call from the armed wing commander of GAM Tengku Abdullah Syafiie that all Acehnese perform a fast and pray for three days starting Sept. 1 "in a bid to smooth the way for Aceh's independence".
All shops, school and business activities were closed and no public transportation was operating.
A quiet Friday was also reported in Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe in North Aceh.
Police and military, however, were seen stepping up their patrol operations on Friday in villages near Glumpang Tiga district in Pidie, which is known as a stronghold of GAM.
On Wednesday, three civilians were killed and at least three others injured when a band of unidentified gunmen raided and burned six houses and nine vehicles in Jagong Jeget village in Linge of Central Aceh in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing the death toll to at least 70 since the pause took effect on June 2. (50/51/edt/dja)