Govt, GAM meet in Banda Aceh for first time

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh

Security arrangements were discussed by representatives of the Indonesian government and members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in a closed-door meeting on Monday, the first one after the two parties signed a peace deal last week.

The atmosphere of the meting, which was mediated by the Aceh Monitoring Mission, was described by the mission's chief Pieter Feith as positive.

He said the meeting addressed military arrangements and the implementation of the peace agreement as well as security problems in Aceh. However, he did not go into more detail.

"Both parties have reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the MOU," he said after the meeting in Banda Aceh, referring to the memorandum of understanding signed in Finland on Aug. 15.

The peace deal -- spurred by the devastating destruction of the Dec. 26 tsunami, which left some 130,000 Acehnese dead or missing -- put an end to three decades of bloodshed in the oil- rich province, which has seen some 15,000 people, mostly civilians, killed.

Feith said the mission had requested all those in uniform, both Indonesian Military officers and the police in Aceh, to show their professionalism and respect their former enemy.

"I also ask GAM leaders to control their fighters and to avoid provocation," Feith said.

In the meeting, scheduled to be held twice a week, the Indonesian government was represented by State Minister of Communications and Information Sofyan A. Djalil, chief of Iskandar Muda Military Command Maj. Gen. Supiadin, Aceh Police chief Insp. Gen. Bahrumsyah Kasman and Aceh acting Governor Azwar Abubakar.

GAM was only represented by Irwandi Yusuf as many of its members are still in prison or in hiding.

Supiadin said the meeting went well since the participants had a common perception. "Maybe on Thursday we'll discuss technical details in the field, including amnesty and disarmament," Supiadin said.

He said he could ensure the security of GAM representatives attending the meeting. "We take them as our brothers so we guarantee their safety," Supiadin said.

GAM representative Irwandi felt optimistic over the signing of the MOU. "We're optimistic, with Allah as our protector," said the former lecturer of Syiah Kuala University.

The monitoring mission has wide-ranging tasks in seeing that both parties stick to the truce. For example, the Indonesian Military must notify the mission of any troop movements above a platoon size. The mission will also monitor GAM's disarmament and the withdrawal of government soldiers from the province. The monitors will also rule on disputed amnesty cases, complaints and alleged violations of the truce.