Government to negotiate with GAM: Wiranto

Government to negotiate with GAM: Wiranto

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
Security Gen. Wiranto commended on Monday the peaceful
commemoration of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) anniversary,
disclosing the government's readiness to negotiate with the
separatist movement's leaders.

Speaking after attending a Cabinet meeting on political
affairs and security at Bina Graha presidential office, Wiranto
said GAM's positive stance prevented major outbreaks of violence
during the commemoration in the province on Saturday.

"All parties, security forces, the community and GAM, did not
take provocative measures that could have triggered massive
conflicts," Wiranto said.

At least seven people were injured in the capitals of Pidie
and North Aceh regencies when security troops opened fire to
disperse GAM supporters from motorcade processions.

Security forces ordered GAM supporters to turn back in
Bureunuen, Pidie, and surrender the separatist flags to the
military. Police said they were forced to return fire in self-
defense after one of the independence supporters opened fire.

"The people lowered the red-and-white (national) flag at the
police station... One of them even opened fire on the troops,"
National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi said before the Cabinet
meeting.

Wiranto said the Indonesian Military (TNI) arrested some
suspected provocateurs, mostly thugs and TNI deserters from
Medan, North Sumatra, for inciting violence during the
commemoration.

"A number of hoodlums from Medan have been captured. Some of
them are former rogue elements in the military. We will disclose
(their identity)."

Wiranto indicated the GAM's receptive approach to marking the
anniversary convinced the government to open negotiations with
the separatist group, along with other Acehnese community
leaders.

"Dialog can be held in any place ... and should involve
students, Muslim clerics, community leaders and GAM."

Wiranto said the government would not delay its decision to
grant special autonomy status and larger revenue-sharing to the
province. He said the action was vital in restoring the Acehnese
people's trust in the government.

Wiranto's commendation of GAM's action contradicted the
opinion of Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono, who alleged GAM
was responsible for violence during its 23rd anniversary
celebration.

Juwono said GAM was uncooperative with the government, which
had demanded an amicable commemoration throughout the province.

He insisted that certain groups manipulated the mass media to
sway public opinion against the government for their own
interests.

"It has long been our fear that GAM always provokes something
from behind the people. This is still under investigation until
now," Juwono said before attending the Cabinet meeting.

State Minister of Human Rights Hasballah M. Saad said the
violence should be ended in Aceh because the people suffered too
long from the prolonged unrest.

In Yogyakarta, political observer from Gadjah Mada University
Syamsu Rizal asserted on Monday that the government must soon
rebuild public facilities and damaged infrastructure in the
devastated province.

"A speedy recovery is needed and with calm gradually resuming
in the restive area, the government must push ahead in an effort
of reconciliation and returning people's lives to normal."

The government must also provide suitable compensation in the
form of scholarships, allowances and health insurance for the
victims of violence, such as widows and orphans, he said.

"If children in Aceh can have normal lives, go to school and
receive a proper education while their parents also can get on
with their daily activities, I believe it will speed up the
settlement of Aceh's problems," he added.

Syamsu said court-martials were not necessary for top military
leaders who were allegedly responsible for atrocities in the
province.

"It will take too long. The public exposure is more effective
as it has already taught them a hard lesson." He said the
officers should admit their mistakes and give the public
assurances the same mistakes would not be repeated.
(39/44/51/edt/prb)