Govt, GAM meet in Banda Aceh for first time
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.